The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) aims to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This aim is the driving force behind our work and underpins all the department’s goals, priorities, values and culture. The department’s work is carried out by staff in Canberra, in State and Territory offices and in our network of 89 overseas posts.
What we offer graduates
Want to make a world of difference? At DFAT you can. We offer diverse and exciting career opportunities for graduates from all disciplines and are the career of choice for those interested in pursuing our goal of advancing Australia’s interests internationally.
Working for DFAT offers unique opportunities. Here’s what attracted some of our recent graduates:
“Challenging, diverse and intrinsically interesting work”
“Opportunities to travel, represent Australia overseas and learn languages”
“The range of training and rotations”
The two-year professional development program for our diplomats-in-training includes varied job rotations, intensive training and academic ‘gap-filling’ courses and regional travel. Corporate/finance graduates can study towards a CPA or CA qualification.
DFAT’s employment package features competitive salaries ($52, 545 for generalists and $54,503 for corporate/finance graduates in 2009), attractive superannuation and other benefits (including an on-site gymnasium and childcare centre). DFAT is committed to work-life balance.
What about working overseas?
After the Canberra-based training period, graduates embark on an overseas posting. Officers overseas enjoy diverse and varied responsibilities. Typical roles for policy generalists include advocating government policy on foreign and trade matters, facilitating high level visits and working with the media and communities to enhance Australia’s image abroad. Corporate and consular policy staff overseas manage financial, human and property resources, oversee the physical security of our overseas missions, assist travelling Australians and lead efforts in crisis situations.
