APS Graduate Development

Graduate Development Opportunities

The APS Academy offers graduate development options that can fully meet your agency’s graduate development requirements or complement your existing agency graduate program. Agencies can choose: 

• APS Graduate Development Program (APS GDP) – a year-long, cohort-based learning experience
• Whole of APS Graduate Event Series – APS-wide events that build networks and APS context
• Coaching for graduates – targeted support to accelerate development.

Australian Public Service Graduate Development Program 

The APS Graduate Development Program (APS GDP) is a high-impact learning experience designed specifically for graduates across the APS. It equips early career professionals with the skills, confidence and networks to contribute effectively from day one, and to build strong foundations for an APS career. 

Benefits 

Participation helps agencies:

• Accelerate graduate capability and confidence through work-integrated development
• Strengthen graduates’ APS-wide networks and provide a ‘One APS’ perspective to build a stronger pipeline of future leaders
• Complement agency programs by adding APS Craft, cross-agency collaboration and coaching
• Provide graduates with access to APS practitioners and senior leaders.

The cohort-based approach to learning

The Program is delivered through a cohort-based social learning model that blends synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences. This approach reflects with the APS Continuous Learning Model and supports graduates to learn with and from each other, wherever they are located.

Graduates progress through the program together through:

• Learning sprints supported by a social learning platform
• Live interactive webinars
• Collaborative project-based teamwork
• Practical resources that support work-integrated learning. 

Graduate also have access to the Whole of APS Graduate Event Series and up to 3 individual coaching sessions.

Key features (2026)

The 2026 Program includes:

• Virtual program launch
• Welcome and connection event (Canberra)
• 10 learning sprints (each including a live learning session)
• Access to the APS GDP online community for peer discussion and networking
• Up to 3 individual coaching sessions
• Access to the Whole of APS Graduate Event Series (virtual and Canberra-based events)
• Graduation event.

Key dates

Key dates for the Program are:

Articulation

Successful completion of the 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

Whole of APS Graduate Event Series

The Whole of APS Graduate Event Series (Event Series) brings together graduates from across the APS in a series of informative and interactive workshops. Graduates build strong networks, deepen their understanding of the APS, and develop practical insights into how the system they work in operates.

The Event Series complements agency graduate programs to build shared understanding, foster a sense of belonging and connection, and support graduates to engage confidently with the broader APS context as they progress in their careers.

Events are held virtually, and in person in Canberra, between March and November.

The 2026 Event Series includes:

Four virtual events which include a mix of practical topics and contemporary themes:

• Cultural Capability – This 2-hour interactive session builds graduates’ foundational understanding of First Nations cultures and histories and reinforces the role of an Acknowledgement in fostering respectful engagement with Indigenous communities. Graduates learn the purpose and appropriate use of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country, and work in cross-agency groups to practise developing and delivering a respectful, authentic Acknowledgement.
• Current APS Theme: Topic TBC – This 90-minute virtual interactive event connects graduates with APS practitioners and subject matter experts to explore a contemporary priority for the Australian Public Service. Topics are selected to reflect emerging policy, workforce and system-wide issues, and will be confirmed and shared with agencies in early 2026. Previous themes have included Artificial Intelligence, Integrity and APS Reform. 
• Current APS Theme: In your hands: Graduate’s choice – This 90-minute virtual interactive event is shaped by graduates, with participants nominating and voting on topics most relevant to their roles and development needs. Facilitated by APS practitioners, the session supports agency programs by responding directly to graduate capability gaps and building engagement through learner-driven content.
• Superannuation 101 for Graduates – This 2-hour virtual information session, delivered by subject matter experts from the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, provides graduates with a clear, practical understanding of APS superannuation arrangements. Tailored specifically to graduates, the session supports financial literacy and informed decision-making early in their APS careers.

Two in person events. Indicative themes:

• Grad Hackathon Theme: Megatrends – This 1-day in-person event brings graduates together to work on contemporary public policy challenges in cross-agency teams. Graduates develop problem-solving and collaboration skills, build APS-wide networks, and strengthen their ability to think about long-term trends, uncertainty and system-level impacts. The event builds foresight literacy as a professional capability and will be held in Canberra at the National Convention Centre.
• Innovation in the APS – This 1-day in-person event gives graduates practical experience in the mindsets, behaviours and techniques used to innovate in public service work, and highlights the benefits of cross-agency collaboration for delivering better outcomes. Facilitated by subject matter experts, the event includes hands-on activities that support application to real APS contexts. The event will be held in Canberra at the National Convention Centre.

Agencies may complement their own graduate programs with one of the following packages:

• Whole of APS Graduate Event Series package (all events)
• Virtual events only package
• In person events only package
• Individual events, by arrangement.

Registration in the APS Graduate Development Program includes access to the Whole of APS Graduate Event Series.

Coaching

Through the APS Academy, agencies can buy individual coaching packages for their Graduates. Coaching is a unique and valuable opportunity usually reserved for senior executives. It provides participants extra support throughout their Graduate year.

Experienced coaches guide conversations in a safe and confidential environment. They help graduates explore their goals and challenges and identify actionable steps for achieving their goals and working through their challenges.

Registration in the APS Graduate Development Program includes up to 3 individual coaching sessions per graduate.

Register and find out more

To find out more or register your agency's interest in the Program, Whole of APS Graduate Event Series or Coaching contact apscgdp@apsc.gov.au.