National Graduate Program - Finance and Accounting stream (Feb 2024)

We want the future leaders of the Australian Public Service - graduates who are bold, have big ideas and are forward thinkers.  

We're looking for a wide range of people to join us and we're committed to providing an inclusive workplace. We value our staff for their unique qualities, ideas and perspectives. 

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Division manages Services Australia’s budget of approximately $5 billion and administers payments of around $200 billion on behalf of partner agencies. This ensures all Australians, no matter where they live, can quickly and easily access streamlined government services and support. We’re looking for graduates who thrive on a challenge and have strong analytical skills. Applicants should be energetic, critical thinkers with an ability to undertake independent assessments and provide recommendations on financial, procurement and system matters. 

The CFO Division provides financial advice, contestability, control and assurance to the agency based on the following principles: 

• financial information that is accurate, transparent, consistent, relevant and timely
• simple, helpful, respectful, quality, contestable and informed financial advice to assist agency decision-making
• standardised, centralised, and streamlined financial structures, processes, reporting and services, in order to remove duplication and reduce inefficiencies
• the automation of financial processes where it is efficient and viable to do so.

For our finance stream, we're looking for people with qualifications in:

• accounting
• actuarial studies
• commerce, majoring in accounting or finance
• economics, majoring in accounting
• finance
• statistics.

If you have any of the above degrees, you can apply to both our finance and generalist streams. If you’re assessed as suitable for both streams, we’ll try to match you in the finance stream first. Once you start, you’ll stay in the finance and accounting stream for the duration of the program. 

Range of work 

In the finance and accounting stream, you may work in a number of areas, including: 

• budgeting and costing
• statutory and asset reporting
• financial governance
• financial systems
• procurement.

What you'll get  
 
We offer:  

• a competitive salary, ranging between $63,760 - $71,063 depending on your qualification level
• employer superannuation contributions of 15.4%
• progression to an APS5 classification at successful completion of the program
• a variety of leave options, including 4 weeks of annual leave
• flexible working arrangements to assist you to maintain your work-life balance
• a range of development opportunities to shape your career in the Australian Public Service.

Why you should work for us  

We make government services simple so people can get on with their lives.   

Every hour of every day in Australia, people in need turn to the Australian Government for help. In those moments, our agency responds.  

Our work spans social security and healthcare, in addition to disaster relief, assistance to farmers and specialised services for vulnerable communities.   

We’ve touched the lives of every Australian in recent years, supporting the community through the pandemic and multiple natural disasters.  

We're an agency that helps people and we're committed to progress, constantly moving forward to deliver services that are simple, helpful, respectful and transparent.   

Eligibility  

To be eligible for the role, you must:  

• be an Australian citizen on 17 April 2023
• have completed or due to complete an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, recognised in Australia, within 5 years prior to program commencement.

Inclusivity  

We're committed to providing a work environment that values inclusion and diversity and supports all staff to reach their full potential. We have a range of workplace diversity and inclusion strategies, policies and initiatives in place to achieve this.  

We’re a Gold Status Employer, as recognised by the Australian Workplace Equality Index for our LGBTI+ workplace inclusion. The Diversity Council Australia (DCA) has awarded the agency inclusive employer status for the last 2 years.   

Our program includes an Affirmative Measure to help employ Indigenous Australians. You can apply to our program using this measure, through the Australian Public Service Commission's Indigenous Graduate Pathway.   

We also have an Affirmative Measure for Australians with disability. Our team would be happy to talk with you about any reasonable adjustment you require.