Austrade Graduate Program 2025

Austrade is looking for the next generation of leaders.
As an Austrade Graduate you will join a collaborative, outcomes focused, and culturally diverse team unlocking opportunities for Australia’s economic prosperity.
Our work aligns directly with the Government’s priorities to drive Australia’s net zero transformation and ensure our economic resilience and security. You’ll have the opportunity to work across and learn about sectors as broad as hydrogen, renewable energy, critical technology, defence, agribusiness and food, and education. We are passionate about producing market information and insights, promoting Australian capability and opportunity and facilitating connections through our extensive global network of 60 offices overseas. We value the richness of different experiences and perspectives, and we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and that they belong.
Our National Graduate Program is a tailored 12-month rotational program including our Trade and Investment Divisions along with many more opportunities.
You will gain access to our fantastic mentoring program, where a dedicated in-house mentor will be provided to you for the entire year, providing you with support to integrate seamlessly into our agency.

WHO WE ARE
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) helps grow Australia’s prosperity by delivering quality trade and investment services to businesses, accelerates growth in Australia’s tourism sector and promotes Australia’s education to the world.
Austrade has the local knowledge, commercial expertise and trusted relationships with decision-makers that make the difference.
• We can link Australian businesses to global export opportunities. We provide market and industry insights and make it easier for businesses to go global.
• Austrade actively works to attract international investors. We help to drive local jobs and develop skills in the local economy.
• We lead policy and programs for Australian tourism and the visitor economy. We work with education providers to attract international students to study with Australia.
Our goal is to deliver trade and investment services that increase Australian prosperity.

We contribute to Australia’s prosperity by:
• Equipping Australian businesses with expert advice, contacts, grants and inmarket and in language support to sell their goods and services overseas
• Connecting investors to early-stage opportunities in high-potential industries in Australia and
• Facilitating engagement with all levels of government and agencies.
• Encouraging the world to choose Australia – for products and services, for study and business, for lifestyle and investing
• Leading work to ensure a sustainable, long-term future for our visitor economy
• Connecting Government to Australian business to inform policy-making
• Building our Nation Brand to reflect our advanced capabilities, highly educated workforce, stable investment environment and bounty of quality produce and natural resources
• Collecting and analysing tourism data to inform decisions by government and industry

WHAT WE OFFER
Austrade offers exciting careers both in Australia and overseas. Feedback from our staff tells us that Austrade is great place to work. During your 12-month graduate program, we offer:
• An ongoing, entry level position, commencing at an APS 3 classification and advancing to an APS 4 classification at completion of the program
• Work as part of a global organisation who are taking Australia to the world. Experience you won’t get anywhere else.
• Guidance from a dedicated graduate advisor and graduate mentor during the program
• A supportive work environment, helping you get the most out of your graduate position. Extra benefits like access to flexible working and 15.4% superannuation
• Access to a global, professional network
• Targeted training and development
• Generous leave provisions and paid time off between Christmas and New Years Austrade roles can be based on the lands of the Kaurna People (Adelaide), Jagera and Turrbal People (Brisbane), Ngunnawal and Ngambri People (Canberra), Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Eastern Kulin (Melbourne) and the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation (Sydney) and will commence in early 2025.

PROGRAM DETAILS
You will complete three placements getting first-hand and broad experience as part of a team delivering on the Government and Austrade’s strategic priorities and contributing to the economic prosperity of Australia.
Austrade roles can be based on the lands of the Kaurna People (Adelaide), Jagera and Turrbal People (Brisbane), Ngunnawal and Ngambri People (Canberra), Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Eastern Kulin (Melbourne) and the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation (Sydney) and will commence in early 2025.
You will also gain access to our fantastic mentoring program, where a dedicated inhouse mentor will be provided to you for the entirety of the year, ensuring you are supported and integrated into Austrade.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for graduates with a range of experiences and from diverse backgrounds. People who have a genuine interest in working with Australia’s international partners to tackle global challenges, increase international trade and investment attraction opportunities, understand and build client capability, protect international directions to keep our region stable and help Australians overseas.
We are looking for a collaborative, outcomes-focused and high-performing graduate with an interest in making a difference to Australia’s economic prosperity by supporting our integration with global markets. We will need you to enjoy building relationships, have strong analytical and communication skills and an interest in diverse business cultures.
We welcome applications from graduates with a wide range of academic backgrounds, including economics, social sciences, policy, education, business, international studies, commerce, law, arts and languages – particularly Japanese, Chinese, Indonesian and Arabic.

RECRUITABILITY AND REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/working-aps/diversity-and-inclusion/disability/recruitability
In accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act (1992), the agency will apply the principle of ‘reasonable adjustment’ to remove barriers to participation in work or selection processes for people with disability. For further information about reasonable adjustments refer to this information from Comcare.
All requests for reasonable workplace adjustments will be managed in consultation with you. We may confirm if you require workplace adjustments at each stage of the recruitment process. If you are successful in gaining employment with the agency, we can provide you with workplace adjustments to assist you in performing your role. If you require a workplace adjustment to allow you to participate in this application, please contact Austrade Recruitment via email at PeopleRecruitment@austrade.gov.au.
AFFIRMATIVE MEASURES – INDIGENOUS
Please note some positions are available only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants. The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under Section 31 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2022. This vacancy is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This initiative helps to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples employed in the Australian Public Service, to better reflect the diversity of the Australian community.
Austrade is committed to improving employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and this is demonstrated in Austrade’s Reconciliation Action Plan link here.
We aspire to be an agency where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff feel supported and welcome to bring their whole selves to their work and feel empowered to fully develop their potential and contribute their unique perspectives to all aspects of the agency’s work.
In line with Austrade’s ambition to be a more diverse and inclusive workplace, we are excited to recruit Graduates to grow our diverse workforce under the affirmative measure provision and to further support our engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates.
Over the previous financial year, Austrade has demonstrated this commitment through:
• The launch of Austrade’s Reconciliation Action Plan (2023 –2025)
• Increased participation in Indigenous employment pathway programs
• Diversity and inclusion embedded in performance agreements of Senior Executive Staff
• The running of affirmative measure Indigenous Trade Commissioner round, which resulted in three Indigenous candidates being selected
• The appointment of Austrade’s first Indigenous female Trade Commissioner and first Indigenous Consul-General
• The appointment of Austrade’s second Indigenous Champion and a new Reconciliation Working Party

STRENGTH IN DIVERSITY
Austrade is committed to providing a work environment where staff can confidently bring their full selves to work. A truly diverse agency is one that is capable of retaining a broad talent base while best serving its clients and connecting to its global network of employees.
Austrade’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2022-25 sets out how Austrade will sustain an environment where all employees can bring their perspectives, creativity, and skills to the work of the agency. It is the roadmap for how Austrade will strengthen its position as an employer of choice.
At Austrade, we consider diversity and inclusion a top strategic priority. The aim of our diversity and inclusion strategy is to make Austrade a place where our people feel respected and valued, workplaces are safe, workforce is diverse and inclusive and global agency is high performing.
Given our commitment to diversity and inclusion, Austrade actively encourages applications from people from culturally diverse backgrounds, mature-age people and people with a disability regardless of sex, sexuality or gender identity.
We recognise the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the unique knowledge First Nations employees bring to our workplace. As such, we welcome and strongly encourage applications from First Nation’s people to our graduate program.

ELIGIBILITY
You must meet Austrade general eligibility requirements to apply for the 2025 Graduate Program which include:
• Be an Australian Citizen at the time of application
• Have finished at least a bachelor’s degree between 31 December 2019 and 31 December 2024.
Prior to starting the Austrade graduate program, successful candidates need to obtain an Australian national security clearance at Baseline level.
If your only qualification is from an overseas institution, you will need to provide Australian documentation recognising your qualification(s). Refer to the Department of Education for more information about recognition of overseas qualifications. Successful applicants will be placed in a merit pool and may be considered for further roles in Austrade.
Austrade is committed to providing a work environment where staff can confidently bring their full selves to work. A truly diverse agency is one that is capable of retaining a broad talent base while best serving its clients and connecting to its global network of employees.
Given our commitment to diversity and inclusion, Austrade actively encourages applications from people from culturally diverse backgrounds, mature-age people and people with a disability regardless of sec, sexuality or gender identity.
We recognise the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the unique knowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees bring to our workplace. As such, we strongly encourage applications from First Nation’s people to our graduate program.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Stage One: Online Application
Submit an online application via the Austrade Careers website by Sunday 7 July 2024 at 11:30pm AEST.
• The application form is an opportunity for you to tell us about yourself, your interests and why you want to work for Austrade.
• We also ask you to complete a CV template where you can provide details of your academic background, work and/or volunteer experience, awards and achievements and any interests outside of work and study.
• At this stage, you’ll also need to upload your academic transcript and recognition of overseas qualifications (if required).
In the application form, you’ll be asked to respond to the following question.
“In no more than 500 words, let us know why you are interested in being a graduate with Austrade and what you are most excited to learn during the program. Also, identify your strengths by including an example of how your skills and experience have helped you handle change and/or overcome a challenge.”
You will also need to consider the APS Level 3 work level standards and the skills and capabilities required at this level. The work level standards for this role can be found on the Australian Public Service Commission website: Work level standards: APS Level and Executive Level classifications | Australian Public Service Commission (apsc.gov.au)
Stage Two: Online Assessment
After submitting your application, and if you meet the program eligibility requirements, we will invite you to complete an online assessment.
There may be multiple online assessments.
Stage Three: Assessment Centre
The assessment centre is the final stage of the selection process and will be held either in-person or virtually.
It may include:
• a group exercise
• a panel interview
Assessment centres are expected to be held in August/September 2024, but dates may change.
Referees
Referee reports help the selection committee verify information shared in your application and during assessment activities. These will be collected online, through email or via our recruitment portal. When providing referees, make sure their details are up to date.
CLOSING DATE
Applications close Sunday 7 July 2024 at 11:30pm (AEST).