School Leaver Program

Applications for the 2025 School Leaver Program are now closed

Finishing Year 12 and looking to get a head start on your career?

The Australian Government School Leaver Program is a 12-month career development program. It’s a full-time, permanent role with a competitive salary, paid holidays and superannuation.

You’ll build skills on the job at one of the many Australian Government departments and agencies participating in the program.

The program builds on the success of the Department of Finance’s Career Starter Program and the APS HR Profession’s Human Resources (HR) School Leaver Program that you may have heard about in previous years.

Graduate banner

What is the program?

If you’re successful, you’ll have a permanent, full-time role at the APS1 level in one of the participating government departments and agencies
While you’re working, you’ll study for a Certificate IV in Government or Human Resources
You’ll be part of a supportive team and a dedicated supervisor.
There’ll be regular networking events with other school leavers from across our participating departments and agencies
On successful completion of your program year, you’ll have the opportunity to advance to the APS2 level.

Who’s eligible?

You will need to:

have completed a Year 12 certificate (or equivalent) in the current or previous year
be an Australian citizen
undergo security and police checks.

The program has provided me with job specific experience and opportunities to work in diverse roles while gaining a formal qualification. I’ve gained highly transferable skills sought after across the APS. I’ve also gained insight into areas I would like to specialise in.

- Emily

This was the best decision I could have made in terms of my career. I struggled throughout high school to work out what it was I wanted to study or do for a living. Now I have a stable job that I enjoy thoroughly and will be starting university next semester.

- Anna

The program has been excellent for developing my skills in the workplace through on-the-job training and given me a great head start in my career before I commence study. I have explored several areas of my agency and developed key networks with colleagues and mentors.

- Mitchell

Being a School Leaver was an unforgettable experience. My APS agency and mentors were there to help me transition into a professional working environment and support my learning goals. I’ve met like-minded individuals and developed a unique network with my peers, some of which have since become lasting friendships.

- Shenaya

One application, multiple opportunities

With one application you can apply for a job in one of these four different work areas:

Human Resources – people management including recruitment, learning and development, payroll, work health and safety, case support and workforce planning.

Customer and Service Delivery – Roles in this category have a higher level of interaction with people. Working with internal and external stakeholders across many different areas of business, some examples of roles are call centre, help desk and concierge.

Programs Project or Policy – work to support the policy objectives of the Government of the day and learn how the public service achieves this. This could include managing a training calendar or database, providing administrative support for a large policy division, receive, dispatch and record correspondence or providing executive support within a branch.

Professional and Technical Areas – IT, data or financial management. Positions might involve visiting sites to install devices, assisting with virtual infrastructure for online meetings, supporting a team buying goods or services using government money, administrative work assessing commercial bids from businesses and communicating with them on commercial decisions.

You’ll let us know what type of work you’re interested in, the department or agency where you’d like to work, and your location preference. Most positions are based in Canberra with some departments and agencies also offering limited positions in Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Geelong, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney. There are a number of stages in the selection process, including a written application, a video interview and participation in a group assessment.

Affirmative Measures

We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce and value the unique perspectives that each person brings.
We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people and individuals with disability.

For more information or if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to assist.

Participating agencies

The following is a list of agencies who have signed up to participate in the 2025 program. If you are interested to understand more about the type of work the agency or department is responsible for, feel free to visit their respective websites. This can help you to build a better understanding of whether the Australian Government is the right fit for you.

Australian Electoral Commission
Australian Taxation Office
Defence
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Department of Education
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Department of Finance
Department of Health and Aged Care
Department of Home Affairs
Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Department of the Treasury
National Indigenous Australians Agency
Office of National Intelligence