Graduate Connect program

Cast your net and grow your career as part of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) 2024 Graduate Connect program. You'll play a vital role in enabling food security and sustainability for Queensland and the world.

Just imagine what you can achieve with us.

Apply today – applications close 15 October 2023.

Why choose Graduate Connect

Our 2-year program will support your transition from study to full-time employment. Start your career with unique, interesting and rewarding work that has a tangible impact for today and tomorrow. Join us and bring legacy to life.

Explore our story and learn more about careers at DAF.

Be supported to grow your career

We'll help you grow and thrive through our comprehensive development program. You'll have the chance to:

• build your capability with structured learning and training
• learn from experienced leaders in our mentoring program
• explore endless career paths with opportunities to rotate throughout the department
• enjoy on-the-job experience and undertake interesting project work.

• Video transcript

  Celina, Manager
  Information Technology Partners, Corporate—Brisbane

  It's not just about the work, it's about the people. There's a lot of very talented people but very humble people in this department. And you'd be amazed, some of the talents we have in this organisation.

  Jessy, Senior Agribusiness Development Officer
  Agriculture—Bundaberg

  It is a great department to work for. It has really good, flexible work-life balance. They are very open to supporting your flexibility and helping you strive in your career.

  Kristie, Acting Principle Business Improvement Analyst
  Information Technology Partners, Corporate—Brisbane

  I've had a lot of opportunity to do different things, so, acting higher duties twice, got another one coming up. I started as a Senior Information Management Specialist, and then I was given the opportunity to do a senior leaders program.

  Graham, Principal Extension Officer
  Agriculture—Toowoomba

  I think that one of the great opportunities within the department is the professional development. I undertook a Diploma in Agricultural Economics, followed by a Master in Economics, which is completely supported by the department financially.

  Matthew, Team Leader
  National Fire Ant Eradication Program, Biosecurity—Mutdapilly

  The department has a lot of opportunities for people who want to move into other areas of the department.

  Peter, Team Leader
  National Tropical Weed Eradication Program
  Biosecurity—Cairns

  The position I'm in today, never in a million years I thought I'd move to a leadership-management position. I really enjoy getting the best out of my staff and mentoring them to their career paths.

  Celina, Manager
  Information Technology Partners, Corporate—Brisbane

  Even through stressful times, we have a joke and, you know, we get through it with style. It's kind of like making a contribution to the Queensland public in our own little way, but then you've got a great group of people to do it with. Everyone is different, but then we can come together and achieve an outcome.

  Text: Our people are bringing legacy to life. Will you join them?

• Video transcript

  What excites me about the next generation of grads coming in, is the possibility. Our landscape in terms of the community we serve, technology, what's happening on a global scale is ever shifting. And we're bringing in new thinking, new enthusiasm, ideas of ways in which we can do things better and we really need our graduates to want to contribute to that story, so that we can be the best that we can be as a public service to our community.

  I really enjoy learning, and so that's one of the reasons why I'm here at the graduate program. I wanted to, you know, explore and learn the various and endless things that we have. So some of the opportunities that the graduates have through this program is access to mentors, to training opportunities, to a range of experiences through the Department. So what we're offering is not a job, but a career and a pathway for life.

  I think the department's really well set up for me to be able to specialise into something that I would really like to do. You can go down rabbit holes, you can jump out of them and go all around the field and try all different things. I am most excited for the mentorship of the program. There seems to be a really large emphasis on leadership and mentorship and working together, to further our careers as graduates.

  I think the one piece of advice for graduates moving forward is to take advantage of every opportunity you can. Talk to new people, don't be afraid to stick your hand up for different opportunities. The more things you do, the more you can work out where you want to go with your career. If you want to make a mark, you want to make a difference, and you want to create a legacy, this is the department.

  I just want to do something useful and positive. Agriculture and Queensland as a State is in a really exciting time and there's all this incredible change and transformation that's ahead of us, and I’m excited to be a part of driving that change forward.

Who we're looking for

We're looking for graduates in these fields:

• agriculture and horticulture
• science
• business, commerce
• finance
• economics and statistics
• information technology, data science/analytics or mathematics
• public policy, political science, government or law.

From time to time we also need people from other specialist fields, so don't hesitate to apply even if your field isn't mentioned. Contact us at WorkingatDAF@daf.qld.gov.au.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for this program you must be all of the following:

• a recent graduate who has
  • completed a bachelor's degree (Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7 qualification) or higher in a relevant field of study
  • graduated from the bachelor's component of your degree between 1 January 2022 and the commencement of the program in February 2024
• an Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
• ready to start in February 2024.

Equity, diversity and belonging

We're committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce reflective of the community we serve.

We encourage people of different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to apply, including women, persons with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the LGBTIQA+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Our recruitment process is inclusive and aims to provide all candidates the best opportunity to demonstrate suitability for the program. Support and reasonable adjustment for candidates is available throughout the selection process.

How to apply

Before you start your application, we recommend you:

• access the role description and candidate information pack on the job advertisement
• update your resume
• obtain a copy of your most recent academic transcript
• obtain evidence of your right to work in Australia (if applicable).

Our application process will ask for personal and demographic information, education, qualifications, work experience, location preferences and reasonable adjustment requirements as part of the recruitment process.

When you’re ready to apply, use these resources to help you with your job application.

• Learn how to write an effective resume.
• Visit My future, my choice for information on preparing for employment.
• Download the Be work smart pre-employment skills workbook.
• Plan ahead and brush up on your interview skills.

Important information for candidates

Overseas qualifications must be assessed and recognised in Australia prior to submitting your application.

Overseas and interstate candidates are encouraged to apply—however, our graduate positions are located across Queensland and must be undertaken within Queensland.

Offers for graduate roles are subject to pre-employment checks, including criminal history checks.

Want to know more?

Can't find the information you're looking for? Contact our Graduate Coordinator at WorkingatDAF@daf.qld.gov.au.

Connect with us via:

• LinkedIn
• X (formerly Twitter)
• YouTube (DAF careers).

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