Graduate Application Process

Below is AusAID's proposed timeline for the 2009 graduate selection process.

Please note that these are indicative timeframes only. Exact timings other than the advertising dates will be directly influenced by the number and quality of applications received and may extend past the nominated dates.

Unsolicited applications submitted outside the application period will not be considered.

17 April 2008

2008 Graduate Program advertised

AusAID advertises the program in the Australian Public Service Gazette.

Selection documentation for the program is placed on the Current Vacancies page of this website.

19 April 2008

AusAID advertises the program in the major metropolitan newspapers in each State/Territory, and other selected publications.

19 May 2008

Applications close
Applications must be submitted online. AusAID will not accept paper based or faxed applications. Should you have any queries with regards to this, contact the graduate coordinator. A full application must include:

a completed application cover sheet
a statement describing how you consider yourself suitable against each of the prescribed selection criteria
your resume (CV).

Late applications will not be considered.

See Application Guidelines [PDF 20KB]

Late May 2008 - Late June 2008

Shortlisting of applications
Applications are assessed to determine a shortlist of applicants to be interviewed. Only those applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted. All applicants offered an interview will be contacted by end of June 2008.

Applicants not shortlisted for interview will not be contacted.

July 2008

Commencement of interviews
Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by a Selection Committee (committee members will be AusAID employees). All shortlisted applicants residing in Australia are interviewed face-to-face.

If not residing in Canberra at the time, applicants may be flown to Canberra for the interview at AusAID's expense. If a large group of applicants are located in a major city, the panel will travel to this city and conduct interviews there. Applicants residing overseas will be interviewed via telephone in the first instance.

The interview may include specific testing against some of the selection criteria. For example, you may be required to undertake a written test to allow the Selection Committee to assess your written communication skills. As well as assessing your application and interview performance, the Selection Committee will seek further information about your skills and qualities from your referees.

Early October 2008

Offers of employment to successful applicants
Once the Selection Committee has assessed the suitability of each applicant against the selection criteria, they will prepare an order of merit, ranking all suitable candidates from highest to lowest on the basis of their application, skills testing, performance at interview and any referee comments. It is from this order of merit that AusAID will make offers of employment. Offers are made subject to security and health checks.

Early February 2009

Commencement of 2009 Graduate Program
Successful applicants must be able to commence duty in early February the year following their application. If you are unable to begin work in February along with the rest of the intake, you would be required to withdraw from the program. To be considered for any future programs, you would need to re-apply.

Security requirements

The duties of all positions in AusAID require employees to have a security clearance to a minimum level of Secret. Before commencing duty, the agency will determine your suitability for access to classified material, having regard to all relevant information. You will be required to provide detailed personal information as part of this process prior to commencing work with AusAID.

For AusAID to be able to grant you this clearance, you must be an Australian citizen.

Formal offers of employment will be made only to those applicants who have obtained the required security clearance.

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