Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Graduate Program null

If you have recently graduated in Humanities, Arts or Social Sciences from university then we want you to apply for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) Graduate Program. PM&C will give you the opportunity to work across an exciting and broad range of areas that aren’t available anywhere else – it’s a mini public service rolled into one! If you’re keen to explore a broad range of opportunities, then there’s no better place to start your career. 

What we provide 

• 12-month, multiple award-winning graduate program
• Excellent support including mentors and buddies
• A starting APS3 salary of $77086 + 15.4% superannuation and potential advancement after 6 months to the APS4 salary
• Inspiring and diverse work opportunities
• Work-life balance including flexible working-from-home arrangements and generous leave entitlements
• Career progression to a permanent placement and the possibility of future promotion
• Generous relocation package to support your move to Canberra
• A work culture that respects opinions and fosters inclusion and diversity

What you’ll do   

If you majored in various areas of interest across arts, humanities, and social sciences then this is the career for you. We have a broad range of cross-cutting priorities spanning domestic policy, social policy, women’s, crisis management, health, aged care, and the environment. You will have the opportunity to provide frank and impartial advice on Commonwealth policy proposals, intergovernmental agreements, and major funding agreements, support the implementation of the federal relations architecture, and liaise directly with state and territory First Ministers’ Departments.  Some examples of these priorities you could be involved in include: 

• Driving reform in whole-of-Australian Government crisis management arrangements to position the Government to coordinate responses to increasing and emerging hazard threats
• Working closely with other departments to provide gender analysis and policy advice on topics including paid parental leave, early childhood education and care, income support, housing, and employment and workplace relations
• Implementation of Australia’s climate change and energy transition policies, including the Powering Australia Plan
• Providing advice to the Prime Minister to deliver the Government’s agenda for a sustainable, resilient Australia by promoting a coordinated policy approach to resilience, and to disaster risk reduction across the built, natural, social, and economic domains
• Commission of the Status of Women in the United Nations

Work with key stakeholders to provide cabinet submissions covering:

• Population health – chronic disease, preventative health, alcohol and drugs
• Primary care – Medicare, pharmaceuticals
• Health workforce – shortages, education and training
• Sport – Brisbane 2032 Olympics, community sport

Who we’re looking for? 

PM&C graduates come from a variety of academic disciplines with diverse experiences and backgrounds. You will relish working in a fast-paced and challenging environment and enjoy adapting to new circumstances and priorities as the Prime Minister delivers them. 

To succeed in our program, you need to be curious, motivated, and driven to make a difference to the future of our country. You will work both independently and as part of a team, enjoy problem-solving, collaborating, and offer innovative and creative thinking, approaches, and insights. 

Who can apply?

To be eligible to apply, you must have completed your university degree within the last eight years or be in your final year of study.  

The program starts in February 2026 and you must be willing to relocate to Canberra. You also must be an Australian citizen and willing to undergo police, character, and health checks as required.

Please note that applications close at 11:30 am on April 9

Next steps    

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you, we encourage you to register now!

To find out more, please visit our website.