Applications for the NIAA Graduate Program are currently closed.
Why choose us
It’s an opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself. At the NIAA, we work in genuine partnership to support the aspirations and empowerment of First Nations people. We can’t do this without our people.
'I just want to make an impact and I think the NIAA and the public service is a place where that could happen'. Oliver.
Our graduates benefit from:
- various work locations – Canberra, Brisbane, Darwin, and Perth are all options
- unique opportunities and great diversity in our roles in policy and program areas such as employment, justice, education, health and wellbeing, housing, business economics and environment. We also have roles in grant management, engagement, enabling services and much more
- a diverse, inclusive and passionate workforce
- emphasisis on continuous cultural learning and tailored professional development, and collaboration with communities across Australia, all levels of government and many other invested stakeholders
- competitive salary – graduate positions commence as an APS 4 ($77,558 – $82,945). They are considered for advancements to APS 5 and APS 6 on completion of the program, plus generous superannuation and relocation assistance.
- three rotations through various work areas. A rotation may be in one of our metropolitan, regional or remote locations.
How others rated NIAA
The Agency was voted in the top 10 from thousands of graduates and interns employers in the category of work-life balance with a score of 4.8/5. The award was received from Prosple, Australia’s leading online platform designed to help students discover the most meaningful next best step in their career journey.
Program overview
Our NIAA Graduate Program runs for 12 months. You will have access to buddies and executive mentors, along with professional and personal development opportunities to help shape your career.
As a graduate, you will have the opportunity to work on some of our key priorities, including:
- contributing to important policy and programs in areas such as employment, remote jobs, education and youth, justice, health and wellbeing, housing, business and economics
- supporting the National Agreement on Closing the Gap priority reforms and the Commonwealth Implementation Plan
- working in the Legal Services Branch making a difference on Land and Public Law (this may contribute to your Practical Legal Training requirements)
- supporting government grants administration through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy
- collating data to support the evaluation of initiatives such as the Indigenous Rangers and Protected Areas programs and the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing
- working in our enabling functions in areas such as finance, human resources, communications, governance, compliance and fraud control.
'I love the option for a regional rotation as part of the NIAA grad program. Working in a regional office is such a unique aspect of the program and means we get to experience different sides of the Agency. My time in the Cairns office has allowed me to learn from experienced staff with longstanding connections to their region'. Djarah.
What previous graduates say
'I love being able to rotate through the agency to get a clearer idea of how the overall agency operates. It has also helped me try out jobs to see if they are a good fit for me or not. It is very cool to be in Canberra too, it feels like I am in the heart of the nation’s politics and press, and that can feel exciting'. Tamika, 2023 Graduate.
Read more from Tamika
'Head into the Darwin office, check my emails and get organised for a few days out of the office. I’ve been working on a few different grant agreements, so I check for any updates from the providers and anything that needs to be sorted before we head off'. Zara, 2023 Graduate
Join Zara for 'A day in the Life of a NIAA Graduate'.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the NIAA Graduate Program, you must:
- have completed at least a 3-year undergraduate bachelor degree within the past 8 years. All degrees must be completed by 31 December 2024 and be recognised in Australia
- be able to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance at the Baseline level. We will arrange the security clearance application process
- be an Australian citizen by 30 June 2024. You will need to provide evidence to verify pending citizenship.
We value our inclusive and diverse workforce and the important contributions everyone can make. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and study disciplines. If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander graduate or a graduate with disability, you may wish to apply through our affirmative measure process.
The 2025 NIAA Graduate Program is as follows, noting applications have now closed:
| Application process | Dates | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Applications open | 4 March 2024 |
|
| Applications close | 22 April 2024 | Make sure you leave enough time to prepare and submit your application. |
| First round of assessments | May 2024 | You may be asked to complete a one-way online video interview, applicants are not required to undertake psychometric assessments. |
| Virtual assessment centre | July 2024 | You may be asked to attend a virtual assessment centre, which may include:
And at this time, we will conduct referee checks. |
| Offers | From August | To be advised. |
| Graduates commence | February 2025 | To be advised. |
AGGP graduate programs
You can also join us through the following whole-of-government graduate programs under the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP) professional streams.
For more information, including how to apply, visit:
Contact us
- Email: EntryLevelPrograms@niaa.gov.au
- Telephone: 02 6215 1000.