The Department of Finance is coordinating graduate recruitment as part of the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP) and is the lead agency for the Accounting and Financial Management (AFM) stream. With just one application per stream, you may be considered for an accounting and financial management graduate role in multiple Australian Government departments.
As an AFM graduate, you will work on tasks and projects that make a difference to the Australian community. Graduates with an interest and/or a degree in finance, commerce, business, accounting or other finance and accounting related disciplines who are eager to strengthen their professional skills are encouraged to apply.
You’ll be supported and encourage to undertake further learning, development and study. You’ll also undertake specialist accounting and finance training to hone your technical knowledge and be mentored by senior qualified accountant to develop your professional and practical skills.
For further information on the AGGP visit the Australian Government Graduate Program.
For further information about the AFM Stream, contact the Finance AGGP Recruitment Team:
- (02) 6215 1717 AEST 8:30am - 5:00pm
- afmstream@finance.gov.au
Diversity and Inclusion
We encourage and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, LGBTQI+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature aged people.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for Affirmative Measure Disability and/or Affirmative Measure Indigenous.
Further information is available on the following pages:
- How disability is defined in the Public Service
- Affirmative Measures - Disability
- Affirmative Measures - Indigenous
Our Indigenous Liaison Officer, Tarran Backhus, is available to chat should you have any questions or concerns. Tarran can be reached at cultureanddiversityteam@finance.gov.au and/or (02) 6215 1717 (option #1).
Important Note: There is no obligation for a candidate who meets eligibility under Affirmative Measures categories to apply under these options. Selection of consideration under Affirmative Measures is voluntary.
2025 AGGP Candidate Information Guide - Accounting & Financial Management Stream
2025 AGGP Candidate Information Guide - Accounting & Financial Management Stream
Frequently asked questions
You may have questions about Graduate recruitment and life within Finance. We hope that some of your questions are answered below.
How do I apply for the Finance Graduate Program (AGGP)?
We encourage and welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, LGBTQI+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature aged people.
In 2026, we will recruit our graduates from the following Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP) Streams:
- AFM
- Data
- Digital
- Indigenous Graduate Pathway
- STEM
- Human Resources
- Legal
- Economist.
When do AGGP Applications Open?
Applications for the 2026 AGGP Open on the 3 March 2025.
Are there Affirmative Measure recruitment rounds?
Yes. There will be both Affirmative Measures Disability and Affirmative Measures Indigenous recruitment rounds for 2026 AGGP AFM. To apply for either of these rounds, please visit the associated job ad here.
What if I graduated some time ago?
AGGP recruits people who have completed their undergraduate degree within the past five years. Our past cohorts have been made up of a broad demographic of graduates; some who join us have just finished their degree while others join us after having spent some time in the workforce. Our recruitment is merit based. Our process does not discriminate based on age, gender, race or ethnicity or having disability.
If successful, when would I be expected to commence at Finance?
All successful candidates commence their employment in February 2026.
What type of work will I be doing as a graduate?
At the Department of Finance, we work on many aspects of the government's agenda including the Australian Government’s Budget, modernisation of the public service, commercial projects and a diverse range of whole-of-government policies. Our work is delivered increasingly through a project-based model. As a graduate, you will have the opportunity to work across two areas and varied projects critical to the government’s agenda and departmental priorities.
Will the Department of Finance support me doing my CA or CPA?
Yes, employees, with approval from their manager, can undertake their CA or CPA accreditation. Unless there is a business requirement for the CA or CPA accreditation, it is not expected to be approved during the graduate year due to the amount of training and development already provided through the program.
Finance is accredited as a CPA Australia Recognised Employer to the Knowledge Level, the highest level. Finance was the first public sector employer in the ACT to gain this accreditation. This provides our finance and accounting staff that have a business requirement for a CPA qualification with resources and guidance to assist them.
CPA participants also benefit by having a simple alternative method to demonstrate adherence to the CPA program’s practical experience requirement and to demonstrate adherence to minimum continuing professional development standards. These are both mandatory components of the award.
What security requirements must I meet?
All Finance employees must be able to obtain and maintain a minimum Baseline security clearance prior to commencement. Graduates will be required to obtain an NV1 security clearance.
Successful applicants will be required to complete a security pack. Depending on the level of clearance required, you may need to have a checkable background going back 10 years and you also must be an Australian citizen.
Access to Finance’s buildings, information technology systems and classified material cannot be provided until a security clearance is granted.
