Department of Defence
Policy and Corporate Pathway Graduate Program (Feb 2026)
Canberra
Opportunity details
- Graduate Job or Program
- AUD 76277 / Year
- + 15.4% superannuation (promotion and salary advancement upon successful completion of the program)
- 59-130 vacancies
- Apply by 9 Apr 2025
- Start date 11 Feb 2026 - 15 Feb 2026
Bring your unique skills and experiences to a world of opportunity at Defence. Make your mark in the Policy and Corporate pathway by working on:
- program management
- administration
- analysis
- personnel and
- policy
The Policy and Corporate pathway accepts applications from all degree disciplines. It's suited to graduates interested in:
- arts and humanities
- business and commerce
- construction and building management
- data and cyber security
- environmental science
- information and communication technology
- international and security studies
- media and communication
- policy and international relations
- project management
Salary
All successful candidates start the Graduate Program on a salary of $73,343 plus 15.4% superannuation (increasing to $76,277 upon the Fair Work Commission approval of the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement โ 2024).
Graduates advance to a higher salary after successfully completing the Program. The amount depends on which training pathway is completed.
Defence's is committed to enabling an enjoyable work-life balance through:
- generous remuneration package
- conditions of service
- flexible work arrangements and
- leave benefits
Location
Roles in this pathway are based in Canberra with a limited possibility of an interstate rotation placement during the program.
Duration
12 months โ 3 x 4-month rotations.
Roles
Policy and Corporate Pathway applicants need to choose one of these role types in their application:
- Analyst:
- Provide commercial management and procurement advice. This role helps facilitate Defenceโs investment to develop innovative technologies.
- Advise and influence decision-making and strategy on real-world Defence capability investments.
- Corporate:
- Work in communication, finance, marketing, and strategic planning.
- Support key decisions that lead to innovative corporate solutions for the government.
- Policy:
- Produce and apply strategy to influence the policy frameworks that govern Defence operations and international engagement
- Guide industry to deliver capability
- Ensure quality outcomes and optimum impact of government investment.
- Project and program management:
- Work in project planning, procurement, management, and contract administration.
- Deliver nationally significant infrastructure or environmental projects.
Defence is the winner of the 2023 Graduate Employer Award for Government & Public Safety by Prosple.
Hiring criteria
- No experience required
- Australian Citizen
- Business & Management +more
- Bachelor or higher
Reviews
They are different every day but I have had the opportunity to draft emails, documents and undertake academic research as part of developing doctrinal policy.
- Document review, editing and drafting. - Handling correspondence for projects - Attending meetings - Stakeholder engagement (both internal and external)
Policy writing, decision making, liaising with other areas of Department . These roles and responsibilities are very rewarding
About the employer
Department of Defence
4.1
1,000 - 50,000 employees
Government & Public Service
Bring your unique skills and experiences to a world of opportunity at Defence.
Pros and cons of working at Department of Defence
Pros
Opportunity to learn and exposure to a vast array of experiences. Sense of pride in working on behalf of the Australian people and for the defence of the country.
The support for learning development opportunities and ongoing exposure to networking opportunities.
The department is very flexible when it comes to hours, including making ample arrangements to work from home if necessary.
I have had the opportunity to draft emails, documents and undertake academic research as part of developing doctrinal policy.
They are supportive and are good mentors in teaching the internal procedures that otherwise would not be shared if not directly exposed to them.
Cons
Workplace culture is heavily dependent on the dedication of the supervisors and senior leaders which varies depending on the work area.
When all workplace employees are working on-site there is often a shortage of desks which is inconvenient for all involved.
Can be very slow to hear updates.
There is a good mix of women, ethnic minorities, etc., but this seems to be very aggregated in certain groups/servicesโnot so much integrated or dispersed across the department.
I am unsure of my current knowledge or capacity to comment on their sustainability e๏ฌorts.