The APS Graduate Development Program

The APS Graduate Development Program is a 10-month generalist development pathway offered to new APS graduates by the APS Academy. The program develops APS graduates at scale using a whole-of-government approach and with a focus on core APS craft.

Learning is delivered and practical development is supported using a range of methods, including: online materials; self-directed individual and group activities; workshops; team SES briefings; individual and group coaching; supervisor training and an agency-based team major project.

Graduates are enrolled in the program by their employing agency and complete it as a requirement of their graduate year.

The schedule of all courses, activities, coaching and submission is set at the beginning of the year from orientation in February to graduation in December. The program includes:

• Induction
  • APS Induction
  • Program Orientation
• Professional Skill Development Modules
  • Dealing with Change
  • Team Work and Communication
  • Cultural Competency
  • Leading Self
  • Progressing Your APS Career
• Technical Skill Development Modules
  • Administrative Decision-Making and APS Values
  • Briefing and Responding to Decision-Makers
  • Scoping and Planning Projects
  • Planning for Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
  • Managing Risk and Delivering on Outcomes
  • Financial Management
  • Policy Fundamentals – Delivering Great Policy
• Applied Learning
  • Work-Based Major Project
  • Project Team Coaching

Successful completion of the Graduate Development Program can be used for articulation to:

• Master of Public Administration, Australian National University
• Master of Public Policy, Australian National University
• Master of Public Policy, Monash University
• CPA Australia (reduction of one year for the practical CPA).

The key dates for the 2023 Graduate Development Program are: 

• September 2022          2023 GDP Prospectus published and distributed
• November 2022           EOIs for 2023 program open
• January 2022               Final cut-off for 2023 registrations
• February 2023             2023 program launch

For further information or to discuss participation in the APS Graduate Development Program please contact the apscgdp@apsc.gov.au