Graduate connect program

Cast your net and grow your career with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) and help bring our legacy to life. You will play a vital role in the production and protection of food and fibre for Queenslanders and the world.

Our 2-year program provides you with valuable learning and development opportunities to launch your career and make a tangible impact for today and tomorrow. Just imagine what you can achieve with us!

• Video transcript

  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.

  
  

  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.

  
  

  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.

  
  

  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.

  
  

  The department has a lot of opportunities

  
  

  for people who want to

  
  

  move into other areas of the department.

  
  

  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.

  
  

  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.

About our program

Our 2-year program will provide you with:

• 12 months of structured learning and development with regional and/or business group rotations opportunities
• 12 months of interesting project work with business groups
• networking opportunities with your fellow graduates
• access to a mentoring program
• a buddy to support your career journey with DAF.

You will also be part of our one, diverse DAF. We are committed to building an inclusive culture that embraces the diversity and unique perspective and experiences of our people and the community we serve. We want you to bring your authentic self to DAF – our diversity makes us stronger.

Learn more about our people, including why they choose DAF and more importantly why they stay.

Graduate disciplines and intake

Graduates will be recruited from diverse disciplines. Graduates will start their placement in February/March each year.

Eligibility

We typically look for graduates who:

• have completed a university degree within the last two years or are due to graduate before the commencement of the program
• have a university undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline
• hold Australian citizenship, New Zealand citizenship, or permanent residency.

Employee benefits and entitlements

As an employee, you will receive:

• competitive salary (AO3 or PO2 classification level) and up to 12.75% employer superannuation contributions plus leave loading
• generous leave provisions, including up to 4 weeks paid recreation leave and 10 days sick leave
• flexible work-life balance with a 36.25 hour working week and work-from-home opportunities
• discounted fitness and pool membership programs, free employee assistance program, and other health and wellbeing initiatives
• study and research assistance schemes to help you with further study.

Got questions?

Email People and Culture if you have any questions about our program.