DTA Graduate Program (Feb 2025)

Who we are

At the DTA, we offer interesting and challenging work that is at the forefront of the Government’s digital policy agenda. The DTA is the Government’s chief digital advisor, responsible for providing strategic and policy leadership on whole-of-government and shared information and communications technology (ICT) investments and digital service delivery. The DTA leads the development, delivery and monitoring of whole-of-government digital strategies, policies and standards.

The important stuff 

As a graduate, you will be a part of a professional and progressive organisation where you will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful and challenging work with the support to develop your skills, knowledge, and networks to make a real impact and be part of a community that helps to drive digital transformation. 

We are committed to providing a working environment that values diversity and inclusion and supports employees to reach their full potential. Given this, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability and people from other diverse backgrounds. 

We are looking for motivated graduates who are:

• passionate about making a difference to the Australian Community, with an interest in digital and policy.
• comfortable with fast paced environments and outcome focused
• have a positive attitude and a desire to learn have a growth mindset.
• collaborative, innovative, ambitious, and adaptable.
• located in or willing to relocate to Canberra for the duration of the program.

About the program

The 2025 DTA Graduate Program is a 10-month development program designed to provide you with the opportunity to learn and grow in your career across the APS. We offer a supportive environment where we focus on training and development and providing you with the resources to build your career, develop your skills and find your passions. 

The 2025 DTA Graduate Program includes:

• 2 work placements and the opportunity to explore your interests.
• exposure to a diverse range of work to build on your strengths, skills and capabilities.
• an inclusive and welcoming workplace culture where everyone is valued and supported.
  • generous and attractive starting salary of $66,853 per annum, which will increase to $74,932 per annum upon successful completion of the 10-month program.
• 15.4% superannuation on top of your salary.
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements, such as working from home arrangements, condensed fortnights, part-time work and more.
• generous leave entitlements to help you achieve life balance - including 4 weeks annual leave per year and 18 days personal leave per year.
• enrolment in the Australian Public Service Commission Graduate Development Program, which builds foundational skills, behaviours, mindsets, and networks to make a significant contribution to the APS.
• 4 weeks of annual leave per year and 18 days personal leave per year.
• a permanent job in the DTA and APS on successful completion of the 10-month program.
• a range of supportive mentoring and networking opportunities and events.

Support

It’s important to us that you feel supported and welcomed to the DTA, and you settle into your new city with ease. You’ll also have:

• The graduate cohort – you will have an immediate social network.
• A buddy—before you even start work with us, we’ll pair you up with a graduate from the previous year’s program or the broader DTA. Your buddy can offer you tips on finding housing, good restaurants, and fun activities in Canberra. Your buddy will help you to start building your network early.
• The graduate coordinator—will help with your relocation to Canberra and once you start work, they will organise regular check-in meetings, and be your primary contact and support person throughout the year.
• Mentor—we’ll match you with a mentor who you will meet with monthly to help settle you into the APS and DTA and who you can go to for advice during the year.
• Your team—you’ll have two placements throughout the year and that means two different teams to get to know and work with. Your team supervisor will also support you in your day-to-day work.

Work placements

Work placements are determined as the year progresses and will be based on your individual interests coupled with current organisational requirements. This approach offers graduates a challenging experience and meaningful work opportunities, whilst also providing a deeper understanding of the important work we do across the agency.

Placements vary significantly and could see you:

• helping to set the course for Australia’s digital future.
• launching websites, strategies and resources.
• engineering improved processes and tooling for capability assessment processes.
• providing assurance on government investments.
• assisting in the preparation of minutes, correspondence, presentations, briefing papers, advice to Ministers and cabinet submissions.
• witnessing the lifecycle of government budget processes.
• chairing meetings and acting as a point of contact for external agencies.
• drafting and contributing to the implementation of whole of government digital initiatives.
• building your skills and, by doing so, helping our agency reach its strategic goals.