Attorney-General’s Department Graduate Program

We perform a wide range of legal and policy work to support Australia’s law, justice, security and integrity frameworks. We work on high-profile, high-impact projects affecting all Australians. We are committed to best practice and continual improvement, both as a government agency and as an employer.

As a graduate with us, you will start your career in an inclusive and supportive workplace, making meaningful contributions to the Australian community. You will be part of a talented group of early career starters in legal, policy and other professions with competitive employment conditions. You will rotate through various work areas and receive training and development opportunities.

We are an inclusive workplace with a skilled and high-performing workforce. We prioritise employee wellbeing and want our workplace to reflect the diversity of the Australian community. We offer several employment programs to encourage participation from First Nations people because we recognise the contributions they make to all aspects of Australian life.

We recruit our graduates through the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP) streams. You will need to submit your application through the relevant stream:

• Accounting and Financial Management
• Data
• Economist
• Generalist
• Human Resources (HR)
• Indigenous Graduate Pathway
• Legal

If you are successful through the recruitment process for any of the listed streams, you will get the opportunity to nominate the Attorney-General’s Department as your preferred department.

Your year as a graduate

During your graduate year, you will have the opportunity to thrive at the forefront of change.

Our 11-month development program will provide you with:

• a thorough induction to ensure you are equipped to begin your program
• 3 rotations within the department to develop your skills and expand your areas of interest
• structured and customised learning and development opportunities, including a graduate major project and practical legal training (if eligible)
• dedicated support from the Employment Programs team and graduate alumni
• opportunities to participate in exclusive networking events, including discussions with senior executives and employee networks.

Hear from some of our recent graduates about what it's like to be a graduate in the Attorney-General’s Department.

Why choose us

We promote a healthy work-life balance and provide flexible work opportunities. We also provide:

• relocation assistance for graduates who need to move to Canberra to start the program
• access to health and wellbeing allowances and programs
• external support services and targeted wellbeing checks.

What you can bring to the role

We are looking for engaged and highly capable graduates who:

• are curious and question assumptions
• seek out learning opportunities, think creatively and generate new ideas
• display a growth mindset and respond positively to feedback
• adapt to change with flexibility and resilience
• are excited to build and strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• can work independently and as part of a team
• act with integrity
• foster a respectful, inclusive and safe workplace culture
• apply sound judgement and make evidence-based decisions.

Salary and superannuation

If your application is successful, you will be engaged as a graduate in the Entry Level Programs Broadband as an APS Level 4 equivalent.

If you successfully complete the graduate program, you will advance to an APS Level 5. Salary details are listed in the department’s Enterprise Agreement.

Applying to work with us

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP), you must:

• be an Australian citizen at the time of application
• have completed at least an Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7 qualification (a Bachelor degree) or higher equivalent, or will have completed it by 31 December 2025
• have completed your most recent eligible qualification between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2025
• satisfy pre-employment checks.

When required, you must also be able to obtain and maintain a valid Australian Government security clearance once accepted onto the program. Visit the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website for more information on security clearances.

Read more about the AGGP on the Career Pathways graduate portal.

How to apply

Applications for the AGGP open in March each year.

To be considered for a role as a graduate with us, you will need to apply through your relevant stream listed on the Career Pathways graduate portal on the APS Jobs website.

You can express interest in the programs through the Career Pathways graduate portal to receive updates from the Career Pathways team.