How to apply to the National Graduate Program

Steps to apply

You can apply for all streams directly through Services Australia.

For the data, digital, finance and accounting, human resources and legal streams, you can also apply through the Australian Government Graduate Program.

Step 1: online application
Step 2: facilitated online assessment
Step 3: virtual assessment centre and referee checks
Step 4: merit pool and matching you to a role
Step 5: verbal employment offer and pre-engagement checks

Step 1: online application

To complete and submit an application, you need to:

• confirm your eligibility
• include your work experience history
• include your qualification details
• include your referee details.

Step 2: facilitated online assessment

If you progress to this stage, you’ll take part in a facilitated online assessment.

This assessment asks a variety of questions in different formats to see how candidates perform on-the-job tasks. It gives us insights into how you’ll respond to real workplace situations, issues and problems.

You can complete this task with an internet-connected device, preferably with a large screen like a laptop or tablet. We’ll send you instructions on what you need to do.

If you don’t progress to step 3, you won’t get feedback at this stage.

Step 3: virtual assessment centre and referee check

If you’re successful at step 2, you’ll be invited to participate in a virtual assessment centre. This is an opportunity to showcase your skills through a behavioural interview and a group activity. The virtual assessment centre runs for about half a day. You can choose to attend either a morning or an afternoon session, making it convenient to fit into your schedule.

You might need to take some time off work or away from your studies to attend. If you’re invited and unable to participate, we’ll have to withdraw your application.

At this stage, we’ll also complete your referee check. We’ll ask your referee to provide insights into your skills, abilities and past work performance.

Feedback will be available to all candidates at the end of the assessment process, helping you understand your strengths and areas for improvement.

Step 4: merit pool and matching you to a role

If you’re successful at step 3, including your referee check, you’ll be placed into a merit pool.

The merit pool is valid for 18 months.

Being placed in the merit pool doesn’t guarantee you’ll be offered a role.

For more information about merit pools, read about the Australian Public Service (APS) merit principle on the Australian Public Service Commission website.

Step 5: verbal employment offer and pre-engagement checks

Our verbal offers at this stage are conditional. They’re dependent on you successfully completing an eligibility, suitability and medical declaration.

Eligibility and suitability check

This check searches your details against a national database for any prior infringements, criminal charges or convictions.

If you have criminal charges or infringements, we’ll manage this on a case-by-case basis.

Medical check

If you require a medical check following your medical declaration, we’ll organise it for you. This is a general health check. It helps us know if we need to make workplace adjustments for you and confirm that you can perform the requirements of the role.

We’ll schedule your medical check and find your closest available location.

Your personal medical provider can’t complete this medical check for you.

Graduates with disability

We have an application process for Australians who identify as having disability.

As part of the application process, you’ll need to give us evidence of disability. This can be a statutory declaration or a letter from any of the following:

• a registered medical practitioner
• a Disability Employment Service (DES) provider
• a tertiary institution disability service unit.

Read about disability definitions on the Australian Public Service Commission website.

APS RecruitAbility scheme

If you meet the disability definition, you can also apply under the APS RecruitAbility scheme. The scheme helps people with disability put forward their skills and experience during the selection process.

You need to opt in to the scheme when you apply to the 2026 National Graduate Program. You also need to:

• declare you have disability
• meet the minimum requirements of the program.

We’ll support you to apply in a way that suits you. We can make adjustments for you throughout our recruitment process, if needed. Contact us to discuss options.

The Australian Government Graduate Program

We’re a participating agency in the Australian Government Graduate Program’s (AGGP) data, digital, finance and accounting, human resources and legal streams. Applying to one of these streams means you only have to go through the application and selection process once to be considered for a range of Australian Government agencies.

Wherever you start your career as a graduate in the Australian Government, you’ll do meaningful work from day one. You’ll be asked to contribute, be recognised for your perspective and see the impact you can make in the Australian community we serve.

You can apply for all streams through our website. For some of our streams you can apply through the AGGP:

Find out more about the AGGP on the APS Jobs website.

Indigenous Graduate Pathway

Services Australia is a participant in the Indigenous Graduate Pathway. As an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you’ll be able to complete one application and be considered for multiple agencies and departments across the APS

Find out more about the Indigenous Graduate Pathway on the APS Jobs website.

Graduates applying through this pathway can also apply to our generalist stream or specialist stream through our own recruitment process.

Letter of offer

If you pass the pre-engagement checks, we’ll email you a letter of offer. This letter will outline details about your salary and conditions of employment. Make sure to complete all the paperwork by the due date in the email to secure your spot.

We’ll also provide you with all the information about the program and the relocation process, ensuring you have everything you need to start this new chapter with confidence.

Start working with us

We look forward to welcoming you in early February 2026.

When you start, you’ll attend orientation, where you’ll:

• learn about the opportunities available in the program
• hear from our Chief Executive Officer and other senior executive staff
• meet your graduate cohort
• hear from a panel of past graduates about their experiences
• learn more about the agency and the support available during and after the program.

Contact us

Our recruitment partner is Chandler Macleod. If you have any questions about the program, you can contact them by:

• emailing ServicesAustraliaNGP@chandlermacleod.com
• calling Chandler Macleod on 1800 242 560.

You can also connect with us on ourFacebook or LinkedIn pages.