Get into a new digital career with the Australian Government
Key features
Use your life experience and transferable skills
Earn a salary in the Australian Public Service (APS), based on an assessment of your skills and experience against the Work Level Standards.
Get paid to study
Get paid to complete a Certificate IV or Diploma (or equivalent) in a digital or ICT discipline – boosted by flexible work, on-the-job, practical training and experience.
Opportunities across Australia
Opportunities are available in regional and metro locations across Australia.
On this page:
Change to a rewarding career in digital
A digital career in government offers you the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that benefits Australians and our society. Be part of Australia's digital future.
We welcome people from a range of age, backgrounds and experience. We’ll help you achieve new qualifications and experience by transitioning to a career in digital in the Australian Public Service.
Eligibility criteria for the program
Applications are open to Australian citizens. You don't need to have digital skills or experience.
We encourage applications from:
- First Nations peoples
- women re-entering the workforce or seeking a career change
- people 45 years and older
- Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel transitioning into civilian roles and their partners.
Benefits and program details
Competitive salary and super
Trainees receive a salary at the APS1 to APS6 levels based on skills and experience.
Salary will depend on the APS level of the role offered and the employing agency. The median base salary range in the APS is between $52,792 (APS1) to $95,873 (APS6).
Options for flexible, part-time and remote working models
Flexible work arrangements can include:
- working from home, including remote work from any location (regional or metro) across Australia
- flexible work hours, such as part-time or hours to allow for family caring duties and study.
The options available for flexible, part time and remote working will depend on the role and the employing agency. Because of this, we cannot provide specialised advice for each case.
All discussions on flexible working arrangements are between a successful applicant (that is, if an offer is given) and the employing agency. If you have received an offer, you can ask your Digital Traineeship Mentor to help you negotiate.
Complete a qualification
You’ll study for a Certificate IV or Diploma (or equivalent) in a digital or ICT discipline that suits your individual needs/interests, and the needs of your employing agency.
As you work and study, you will be supported by:
- a mentor for starting your digital career
- an agency supervisor
- membership of the Digital Profession communities
- a network of trainees.
Your study costs will be covered by your employing agency.
Get a permanent government job
You are offered ongoing employment with the Australian Government. Use your new digital skills and knowledge to provide better services for Australians.
Digital roles available through the program
Digital roles are not just traditional or technical IT disciplines. Digital roles include:
- cyber security
- software engineering
- user research
- product management
- delivery management
- interaction design
- service design
- content design
- performance analysis
- systems testing, analysis and design
- digital media
- programming
- big data and data analytics
- networking
- web development
- infrastructure support
- applications support
Government agencies have many different digital and technical roles, there are many more.
Traineeships help you learn new skills to move into new roles. We’ll help match your skills and experience with a digital role that suits your interests.
Participating agencies and departments
The program will be open to all Australian Government departments and agencies. Successful applicants will be matched with an agency that suits their skills, experience and career aspirations.
Opportunities in locations across Australia
The program aims to offer opportunities in regional and metro locations in all states and territories. You can stay in your community while building a meaningful and rewarding career.
Assessment and placement process
We welcome all applicants who are interested in digital or technical roles, who want to re-skill or are looking for a career change to digital.
Successful applicants will go through assessment process and will be placed into a talent pool (called a merit pool). People in the merit pool may be offered a role based on a match with the needs of an employing agency. This may include (but is not limited to) the identified level of the role, current and transferable skills/experience, area of study, interest and location.
There are several stages to the selection process.
Step 1: Apply
Prepare and submit your application at any time.
Step 2: Interview
You'll be advised whether you have progressed to an interview. The interview will be online with the selection panel.
Step 3: Merit pool
Based on your application and interview, you will be advised if you have made it to the merit pool. This means you’re rated suitable for a traineeship.
Step 4: Placement
While in the merit pool, a skills mapping process will help find the types of digital roles you might best be suited for.
Agencies that have a vacant position suited to your digital interests will contact you. They will discuss the opportunity and the type of role they may be able to offer you.
Step 5: Induction
Trainees complete an induction that covers core APS skills and digital basics before starting with their agency. This gives you the best chance of hitting the ground running.
Step 6: Training and support
Your Digital Traineeship Mentor and agency supervisor will support you with your development and training. Most of the training will be delivered flexibly and online over 12 months.
Your Digital Traineeship Mentor will help you balance work, study and future career in digital in government. Their main focus will be supporting you to complete the program and starting your digital career in government.
Applications by APS employees
Current APS employees are also eligible to apply.
Please note:
- This is a merit-based recruitment process. As an APS employee, you will be subject to the same assessment process as non-APS applicants.
- As an applicant, you will also be rated on your suitability to work in digital.
- If you are rated suitable, you will be offered a place in the merit pool. Your APS classification level will be determined through the selection process.
- If you are assessed as suitable and currently employed in an agency that is not represented under the Public Service Act 1999, please refer to your current agency’s policies for further guidance.
Get in touch
Please get in contact if you have questions.
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Apply to be a trainee
Applications are now open for the Digital Traineeship program.
Register to take trainees
If you're an APS agency, you can register your interest to take trainees
Information for agencies
Discover what it means to hire participants for the Digital Traineeship Program.