Our Programs

Attorney-General’s Department Graduate Program

Thrive at the forefront of change

At AGD we do a wide range of legal and policy work in support of Australia’s law, justice, security and integrity frameworks. We work on high-profile, high-impact projects affecting all Australians. AGD is committed to best practice and continual improvement, both as a government agency and as an employer.

As an AGD graduate you will start your career in an inclusive and supportive workplace, making meaningful contributions to the Australian community. You will be part of a talented group of early career legal and policy professionals with excellent employment conditions. You will rotate through interesting and challenging work areas and receive extensive training and development opportunities.

AGD is an inclusive workplace with a skilled and high-performing workforce. We prioritise employee wellbeing and want our workplace to reflect the diversity of the Australian community.

Join us as we work together to make a meaningful difference for our community.

Your year ahead

As an AGD graduate you will:

• receive relocation assistance if you’re moving to Canberra
• participate in an extensive induction program so you can hit the ground running
• be supported by a dedicated Employment Programs team who will be there for you throughout the year
• connect with mentors and buddies to accelerate your career
• design a work-life balance that suits you through flexible working arrangements (including hybrid and remote work) and generous leave allowances
• receive support through health and wellbeing allowances and programs, external support services and targeted wellbeing checks
  
• develop a network of talented graduate colleagues who are at a similar stage in their career
• benefit from AGD’s learning mindset, including:
  • leadership who take an active role in your growth
  • tailored training, learning and development opportunities in line with your career aspirations
  • generous study allowances and department-sponsored graduate courses, including the GDLP (required for the legal streams).
• work with other graduates on a major project tackling real-world policy issues
• participate in exclusive networking events, including discussions with senior executives
• socialise and contribute to the department’s culture through lunchtime sports, the AGD Social Club, and employee networks (PRIDE in AGD, the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Network, the Celebrating Ability Network, the Indigenous Employee Network, the Women’s Network, and the Sustainability Network)
• organise events and initiatives to support staff and the Australian community through the Graduate Fundraising Committee
• finish the program with an ongoing placement within AGD.

AGD graduates participate in 2-3 rotations across subject areas such as:

• civil justice
• family law and legal assistance
• criminal justice
• law enforcement
• crime prevention
• national and protective security
• international law
• human rights
• native title
• constitutional law
• integrity
• human resources
• strategy and governance
• finance
• digital and data.

About you

We are looking for engaged and highly capable graduates who:

• think critically and strategically
• are curious and question assumptions
• seek out learning opportunities and respond positively to feedback
• display emotional intelligence and a growth mindset
• adapt to change with flexibility and resilience
• are excited to build and strengthen relationships with stakeholders, colleagues and clients
• can work independently and as part of a team
• act with integrity
• communicate clearly and professionally with people of all backgrounds
• think creatively, look for solutions and generate new ideas
• foster a respectful, inclusive and safe workplace culture
• apply sound judgement and make evidence-based decisions.

How to apply

AGD recruits graduates through the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP), which is divided into multiple streams. By using the AGGP, graduates can submit one application per stream and be considered by multiple government departments and agencies. Graduates can apply for multiple streams.

AGD will consider applications from the following AGGP streams:

• Data
• Digital
• Economist
• Generalist
• Human Resources
• Indigenous
• Legal

Eligibility

To be eligible for the AGGP you must:

• be an Australian citizen at the time of application
• have (or will have) completed at least an Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7 qualification (a Bachelor degree) or equivalent, or higher, between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2023
• be willing to undertake a security clearance process and a police check (as per agency requirements)
• be willing to undergo various rotations to support your ongoing development
• be willing to relocate as required by your agency
• be willing to undergo a learning program as part of your graduate year.

For further information on the Australian Government Graduate Program Legal Stream, download the Candidate Kit.

Submitting your application

Applications for the 2024 AGGP will open in March 2023.

If you wish to be considered for an AGD graduate role, you will need to apply for one or more of the streams on the graduate portal on the APS Jobs website.

To register your interest prior to applications opening, please complete the Australian Government Graduate Program Expression of Interest form.

If successful, you will have the opportunity during the matching process to nominate AGD as your preferred department.

Australian Government Solicitor Graduate Program

Visit the Australian Government Solicitor website for information on the Australian Government Solicitor Graduate Program.

Career Pathway programs – cadets, apprentices, trainees, development programs

AGD participates in the following Career Pathway programs:

• Indigenous Australian Government Development Program
• Indigenous Apprenticeship Program
• Digital Apprentice Program and Cadet Program.

Visit the Career Pathways portal on the APS Jobs website for further information.

Stepping Into program

The Stepping Into program is a short-term paid internship for university students with disability. You can apply for the program if you are:

• a person with disability
• registered with your university's disability services organisation
• completing your second last or final year of your degree.

Visit the Australian Network on Disability website for further information.

Discover what’s in store

Hear from our previous AGD Employment Program participants.

Patrick - Policy stream
The support network in the Graduate Program is superlative. Your buddy/mentor is a former AGD grad who can help you through anything grad-related.

Nish - Policy stream
One of the best things about working in the APS is the flexibility. I have been supported to explore opportunities, so I suppose my other daily practice is to be open to what comes, and be enthusiastic about each and every day!

Grace - Policy stream
The graduate experience was not without its challenges, but when I look at how far I've come, I know how valuable this experience has been for both my personal and professional development.

David - Legal practice stream
It was great to be able to work in each of AGS’s practice groups, with a focus on government and the national interest There is also a real focus on the year being about learning and growth, rather than strict billable targets.

Nicola - Legal practice stream
I am really enjoying the variety and the fundamental nature of the work that I am doing in my AGS Commercial rotation. There is so much to learn, and so many people willing to help you.

Alexander - Legal practice stream
I have experienced some amazing days in my first rotation with the Canberra Dispute Resolution team. It has been both intellectually stimulating and engaging from a professional development perspective.