DFAT Graduate Program 2026–2028: Salary, Eligibility, Streams and How to Apply

The DFAT Graduate Program 2026–2028 offers Australian graduates an opportunity to begin a career with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The programme provides an ongoing full-time Australian Public Service position, starting at APS 4 with a salary of $84,115 plus 15.4% superannuation and progressing to APS 5 on completion. The graduate program runs for 18 months and includes Corporate and Policy streams.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Graduate Program is designed for graduates who want to build careers connected to Australia’s international interests, foreign policy, trade, development, international security and government operations.

DFAT works with Australia’s international partners and other countries on global challenges, trade and investment, international rules, regional stability and assistance to Australians overseas. The department manages Australia’s overseas diplomatic network, with more than 116 embassies, high commissions, consulates-general and representative offices across five continents.

The programme provides graduates with practical experience across different areas of government work while preparing them for longer-term careers within DFAT.

Importantly, the official page states that the 2027 DFAT Graduate Program has now closed. Interested candidates can register their interest for the 2028 Graduate Program and will be notified when applications open.

DFAT Graduate Program Salary and Employment Details

The graduate programme provides an ongoing, full-time Australian Public Service position.

According to DFAT’s published programme information:

Starting classification: APS 4
Starting salary: $84,115 plus 15.4% superannuation

Upon successful completion:

Classification: APS 5
Salary: $92,753 plus 15.4% superannuation

The programme is based in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, and relocation assistance is available for eligible graduates moving to Canberra from elsewhere in Australia.

Programme Duration

The graduate programme lasts:

18 months

The programme is scheduled to commence in February 2027 for the intake described on the supplied page.

Two DFAT Graduate Streams

Candidates can apply for either the Corporate Stream or the Policy Stream.

The two streams expose graduates to different aspects of DFAT’s work and provide opportunities to gain experience across multiple government priorities.

Corporate Stream

The Corporate Stream is suited to graduates interested in managing DFAT’s people, resources, assets, systems and operational functions.

Corporate graduates may undertake placements in areas such as:

Consular and crisis management

Overseas property

Accounting and financial management

Human resources

Diplomatic security

Strategic communications

Information and communications technology

Corporate law

Australian Passport Office

International operations

The experience gained through the Corporate Stream can help prepare graduates for potential future overseas positions, including roles such as Second Secretary and Vice Consul (Corporate) or mixed-duty positions.

Policy Stream

The Policy Stream is intended for graduates interested in Australia’s foreign affairs, international development, security, trade and policy priorities.

Policy graduates may be placed in areas including:

Bilateral economic and political relations

International trade negotiations

Economic analysis

Development and aid programme management

International security and cyber security

International law

Public diplomacy

Multilateral and global issues

Strategic communications

Experience gained through the Policy Stream can position graduates to apply for future overseas roles such as Second Secretary in policy, trade or development, as well as mixed-duty positions.

Graduate Placements

A major feature of the DFAT Graduate Program is the opportunity to complete four placements during the 18-month programme.

These placements are intended to provide graduates with first-hand experience across a range of Australian Government priorities.

Rather than remaining in one role throughout the graduate programme, participants gain exposure to different teams and functions.

This structure can help graduates build a broader understanding of how DFAT operates both domestically and in support of Australia’s international activities.

Training and Professional Development

DFAT provides graduates with targeted training and development through the Diplomatic Academy.

Participants also gain access to professional and employee networks and work in an environment designed to support learning and career development.

The programme includes:

Targeted training and development

Professional networks

Employee networks

Flexible and inclusive working arrangements

Generous leave conditions

15.4% superannuation

Relocation support where applicable

These features make the programme more than a conventional entry-level position, as graduates receive structured development while working in an ongoing government role.

Who DFAT Is Looking For

DFAT is seeking graduates from diverse backgrounds who have a genuine interest in Australia’s international engagement.

The department says successful graduates should be able to:

Work collaboratively

Manage relationships

Demonstrate humility

Show drive and accountability

Adapt to changing circumstances

Demonstrate resilience

Use analytical thinking to solve problems

DFAT is also interested in candidates who can contribute to managing departmental resources and assets, including people, budgets, information, property and security.

Academic Backgrounds for the Corporate Stream

Applicants with academic disciplines or related fields in areas such as the following are encouraged to consider the Corporate Stream:

Finance

Accounting

Business

Commerce

Human resources

Management

Psychology

Marketing

Communications

Data

ICT

Engineering

Architecture

The Corporate Stream is therefore not restricted to one specific degree subject.

Academic Backgrounds for the Policy Stream

The Policy Stream is aimed at graduates from a broad range of fields connected to international relations and policy.

Relevant disciplines include:

International relations

Law

Arts

Defence and national security

Development

Economics

Social sciences

Education

Health sciences

Public policy

History

Journalism

Communication

Linguistics

Humanitarian support

Cyber security

STEM

This breadth reflects DFAT’s need for graduates with different perspectives, technical skills and areas of expertise.

DFAT Graduate Program Eligibility

Applicants must first meet DFAT’s general eligibility requirements.

For the graduate programme described on the supplied page, candidates must:

Be an Australian citizen at the time of application.

Have completed at least a bachelor’s degree between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2026.

Applicants should also be prepared to obtain the required Australian national security clearance before commencing employment.

Security Clearance Requirement

Successful candidates must obtain an Australian national security clearance at:

Negative Vetting Level 2 (NV2)

This is an important condition of employment.

DFAT states that ongoing employment requires successful candidates to obtain and maintain the required security clearance. The loss of a security clearance can result in termination of employment.

Applicants should therefore understand that passing the graduate recruitment process does not remove the separate security-vetting requirement.

Can You Apply From Overseas?

Yes, the DFAT information states that candidates may apply while they are overseas.

However, candidates undergoing the security clearance process should be aware of an important requirement.

An interview forms a critical part of the security clearance process, and this interview is conducted in Australia.

Applicants who are overseas during the security vetting process are expected to return to Australia for their security interview at their own expense.

Overseas Qualifications

Candidates whose only qualification was obtained from an overseas institution will need to provide Australian documentation recognising the qualification.

DFAT directs applicants to the Australian Department of Education for information concerning recognition of overseas qualifications.

This is particularly important for Australian citizens who completed university studies outside Australia.

Where Is the Graduate Program Based?

All graduate roles are based in:

Canberra, ACT

Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates who need to move to Canberra from within Australia.

Applicants considering the programme should therefore be prepared to work in Canberra during the graduate programme.

Career Development After Graduation

The DFAT Graduate Program can provide a pathway into longer-term diplomatic, policy and corporate careers.

Corporate graduates gain experience relevant to potential overseas roles such as:

Second Secretary

Vice Consul (Corporate)

Mixed-duties positions

Policy graduates may develop experience relevant to roles such as:

Second Secretary – Policy

Second Secretary – Trade

Second Secretary – Development

Mixed-duties positions

These potential career pathways depend on future opportunities, suitability and DFAT recruitment processes.

Application Process

The supplied DFAT page states that the 2027 Graduate Program has closed.

Rather than accepting new applications for that intake, DFAT is currently inviting interested candidates to register their interest for the:

2028 DFAT Graduate Program

Candidates who register their interest will be notified once applications for the next programme open.

For future applicants, the official DFAT careers portal should be used to monitor the opening of applications and obtain the latest instructions.

Important Update for Applicants

There is an important distinction between the headline “DFAT Graduate Program 2026–2028” and the status shown on the official DFAT page.

The supplied page currently states:

“The 2027 DFAT Graduate Program has now closed.”

It also provides an option to register interest for the 2028 Graduate Program.

Therefore, candidates should not present the 2027 intake as currently open. The information provided here accurately reflects the status stated on the official DFAT page supplied.

Final Thoughts

The DFAT Graduate Program 2026–2028 provides a structured pathway for Australian graduates seeking careers in foreign affairs, international development, trade, policy, security and corporate government functions.

The programme offers an ongoing APS position, beginning at APS 4 with $84,115 plus 15.4% superannuation and progressing to APS 5 at $92,753 plus 15.4% superannuation after successful completion.

Graduates complete an 18-month programme with four placements and can apply through either the Corporate Stream or Policy Stream.

However, the 2027 intake is now closed, according to the official DFAT page. Prospective applicants can instead register their interest in the 2028 DFAT Graduate Program and wait for applications to open.

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