ABS Graduate Program

What we offer

ABS Graduates will be part of a dynamic and innovative workplace, supported by a passionate team that is empowered to carry out work with real purpose.

As an ABS graduate, you will:

  • do meaningful work from day one and be valued for your unique perspective and diverse views
  • be placed in a permanent full-time role
  • undertake a twelve month development program, that includes a rotation, senior executive shadowing, virtual, self-paced and group learning activities.
  • participate in on-the-job training specific to your role.

We offer you:

  • an attractive salary
  • flexible working arrangements and generous leave entitlements that help you manage your work/life balance.
  • training and development to help you build your skills
  • an inclusive and diverse workplace culture
  • offices in all capital cities, and Geelong

Read our Enterprise Agreement for more details on our pay and conditions.

Where you’ll work

We offer graduate opportunities in a number of teams and different job roles:

Most of the the Data Graduate roles will be data analysts and data scientists, with possible opportunities for graduates specialising in other data areas such as geospatial, data engineering or data management.

Data analysts usually are from a field with a strong quantitative and research focus such as economics, econometrics, applied finance, information management, actuarial studies, finance, business, commerce, psychology, demography and social sciences.

Data scientists are from a wide range of disciplines such as studies in statistics, computer science, mathematics, science (across a range of study areas that involve working with and analysing large datasets), engineering and data engineering.


Roles are available in all of our offices (each capital city as well as Geelong). Offices have different work programs for data analyst roles:

  • Canberra has a large variety of work program across economics, social, population, Census, labour force statistics
  • Sydney, Perth, Hobart mainly have economic statistics work program
  • Brisbane has a mix of economic and social statistics
  • Melbourne is mainly economic statistics work program and our Crime and Justice Statistical Centre
  • Adelaide is mainly social and population statistical work program, with one economic statistical work program
  • Geelong roles will be in our National Data Acquisition Division
  • Darwin's work program is predominantly our Centre of Excellence for Aboriginal and Torres Islander Statistics

You will need to provide evidence of your qualifications and proof of Australian citizenship at the live video or face-to-face interview stage.


If successful, you will also be required to meet health, integrity and character clearances.

Statistical Methodology Specialists support the statistical production process through involvement in survey design, sampling and estimation methods, data linking, analysis and safe data access methods, statistical risk management and quality control.

Suitable degrees for the Statistical Methodology Specialist stream include statistics, mathematics, econometrics or related fields (often at the Honours level).

Roles may be offered in any of our capital city offices with the exception of Darwin.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) graduates are part of the team providing innovative technology solutions and services to achieve business outcomes in key areas such as Applications Development and Support, ICT Infrastructure and Cloud Services, Process Engineering, Testing and Automation, Cyber Security.

The ICT stream suits graduates with experience in software engineering, computer sciences, Information and Communications Technologies, infrastructure design and support, project management, web design and development, business analysis or informatics.

Roles may be offered in any of our capital city offices with the exception of Darwin.

Eligibility.

To be part of the 2022 graduate development program, you must:.

    • have completed, or expect to complete, a minimum qualification of a three year bachelor degree (recognised in Australia) within the period 01/01/2017 to 31/12/2021
    • be an Australian citizen by 30 June 2021
    • be available to commence the formal program in February 2022

If successful, you will also be required to meet health, integrity and character clearances, and may need to acquire and maintain at least a baseline security clearance.

Whilst the formal program begins in February 2022, many of our graduates are given the opportunity to start as a non-ongoing or permanent employee earlier. Your availability to start early will have no bearing on your assessment of suitability.

Register your interest!.

For the latest news, and to register your interest for the 2022 graduate program, go here. Applications for the 2022 ABS Graduate Program will open on 9 March 2021.

More information about the program

For more information on the ABS Graduate Recruitment Program you can email us at recruitment@abs.gov.au or phone: 1800 249 583.

Graduate Recruitment