Data graduates

Applications for 2022 Data Graduates have now closed. To register your interest for the 2023 Graduate program please apply to the following Register of Interest.

The ABS is partnering with a range of Australian Public Service (APS) and Commonwealth agencies to offer more data graduate roles in 2022. We are leading the recruitment of more than 150 data graduates for placements across the APS as part of the Australian Government Graduate Program Data Stream.

Leading the APS Data Professional Stream, the ABS is at the centre of developing specialised data professionals to build a data capable APS. As a data graduate in the APS you will connect with other graduates and have opportunities for mobility to other agencies during your public service career.

By completing one application, you will open the door to over 20 APS and Commonwealth agencies. If successful, you will be considered for all participating agencies. While there is no guarantee of placement in a specific agency, you will be asked for your agency and location preferences when you apply, and these will be taken into consideration. 

To find out more about what it is like to work at the ABS, check out what to expect as an ABS graduate.

• Australian Bureau of Statistics
• Australian Communications and Media Authority
• Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
• Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
• Australian Institute of Health & Welfare
• Australian Public Service Commission
• Australian Taxation Office
• Civil Aviation Safety Authority
• Commonwealth Grants Commission
• Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
• Department of Defence
• Department of Education, Skills & Employment
• Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
• Department of Health
• Department of Home Affairs
• Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
• Department of Social Services
• Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Department of Veterans' Affairs
• National Disability Insurance Agency
• National Indigenous Australians Agency
• Safe Work Australia
• Services Australia

Roles will be available in all capital cities, Geelong, Newcastle and possibly Townsville, though most will be based in Canberra. Capital city roles may be located outside of the CBD. 

Data roles are varied, including data analysis, data acquisition, data engineering or more specialised roles in data science, methodology or geospatial analysis. Data graduates work in all aspects of government, including policy development, research, program management and service delivery.

As part of the application, you will be asked to indicate your preference for one of three data streams: Data Analyst, Data Scientist and Statistical Methodology Specialist. 

Data Analysts identify relationships between data items, using their judgement and real-world insights to tell the stories behind data in an engaging and meaningful way. They may be responsible for analysing and interpreting survey, Census and administrative data including linked data; designing and testing data collection instruments such as questionnaires and forms; and undertaking data quality assurance. 

Other types of roles in this stream may include data acquisition officers who are responsible for the ethical collection of data and data consultants who are responsible for engaging with clients and delivering their data needs safely and effectively.

Desirable fields of study: While there are no requirements for particular degrees or disciplines, people who have undertaken data subjects are more likely to be successful. The types of backgrounds of our Data Analyst graduates include analytics, actuarial studies, data science or mining, demography, economics, econometrics, engineering, finance, mathematics or mathematical modelling, machine learning, psychology, risk and intelligence analysis, social sciences and statistics.

Data Scientists are responsible for discovering, experimenting with and wrangling data, as well as leading the use of new data sources, methods and products to meet the changing information needs of customers. Data Scientists play an important role in building their organisation’s capacity to take advantage of opportunities, such as advances in technology, big data, and use of administrative information for statistical purposes.

Other types of roles in this stream may include data engineers who are responsible for reliable infrastructure for data, data managers who are responsible for effectively managing data as an enterprise asset, or geospatial analysts. 

Desirable fields of study: As a Data Scientist you would be expected to have some experience with statistical programming languages such as (but not limited to) SAS, Python and R. You may have skills in data mining, machine learning, and other techniques such as regression, prediction, clustering, time series analysis, association rules, sequence analysis, visualisation and data manipulation. 

Fields of study could include computer science, mathematics, science, engineering or other disciplines with a strong quantitative background.

Statistical Methodologists provide advice to clients, and identify, research, implement and maintain a range of innovative statistical solutions. Methodologists support the high quality of their organisation’s statistical collection and production process by ensuring data collection methods are based on sound, defensible principles, as well as being cost-effective. 

Statistical Methodologists conduct research in data access, integration, confidentialisation and analysis methods for traditional and emerging data sources. They undertake research on methods and aim to obtain robust statistics which minimise the load on data providers - through efficient sample designs and techniques to control sample overlap between surveys; or the use of existing data sources to reduce the need for collection. They also have a substantial role in quality management, methods for survey processing (such as estimation, imputation and accuracy estimation), and time series analysis.

Desirable fields of study: statistics, mathematics, econometrics, cognitive science, behavioural science, or other fields with a strong quantitative discipline.

To find out more email recruitment@abs.gov.au or phone 1800 249 583.