Register your interest
Applications for our 2026 graduate program are now closed.
Applications for our 2027 graduate program will open in 2026. Register your interest and we'll notify you when applications open.
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About the graduate program
Kick-start your career and race ahead of the pack in the ACCC graduate program.
At the ACCC we recognise that our graduates are the future of our organisation. That’s why we’ll invest in your career development from the day you arrive.
In our 18-month graduate program you’ll have the opportunity to work across different areas of the ACCC. You’ll gain experience in the range of activities we undertake to promote competition and fair trading and protect consumers in Australia.
Key dates for the 2026 graduate program
The table outlines key stages and dates for applying.
|
Stage |
Date* |
|---|---|
|
Applications open |
16 May 2025 |
| Applications close | 15 June 2025 |
|
Applicant testing |
Early July 2025 |
|
Virtual individual interview |
July and August 2025 |
|
Face-to-face group activity, written assessment and personality testing |
August 2025 |
|
Formal offers made |
September 2025 |
|
Graduate program starts |
9 February 2026 |
*Dates subject to change
Program streams
In 2026 there will be 2 program streams:
- general
- data and digital.
General stream
As a general stream graduate, you will undertake 4 rotations across different divisions of the ACCC.
You might work on:
- analysing key market sectors
- helping assess applications for collective bargaining, authorisations and notifications
- helping review the economic regulation of network infrastructure
- investigating complaints from business or consumers about possible breaches of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
You may be involved in:
- consumer liaison activities
- product safety surveys
- compliance research
- activities in our Corporate division.
Data and digital stream
Within the data and digital stream, you’ll undertake rotations across 2 or more of the following divisions:
- Digital ID
- National Anti-Scam Centre
- Information Management and Technology Services
- Consumer Data Right.
You’ll gain experience in the broad range of work we undertake in the technology space. This includes:
- modernising our information communication technology
- enhancing our data capabilities
- improving the security of our business and data systems.
Your work could involve:
- cutting edge digital and data projects that deliver on government initiatives
- design and implementation of changes to existing software components
- ensuring ongoing integrity, performance, and availability of systems
- improvement initiatives and responding to user and customer support needs
- in-house technology delivery, operations, and cyber security.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must:
- possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree* with all disciplines considered
- have completed your most recent tertiary studies after February 2021
- have a grade average of 65% or higher
- to be available to start work in person on Monday 9 February 2026, for an induction program which may be interstate
- be willing to undertake and pass a character clearance, such as a national police check
- not be serving a Commonwealth Redundancy Benefit period at the start of the program
- be an Australian citizen.
*Qualifications from overseas universities must be recognised by the Overseas Qualifications Unit.
What we look for
To be considered, you will:
- be interested in industry regulation, competition policy and consumer protection
- have excellent analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- love working in a collaborative environment where how we work together is as important as what we achieve
- pick up complex concepts quickly and apply these to different situations
- be kind, even when nobody is watching
- embrace and celebrate people who are different to you and love to contribute to the success of others
- be reliable and responsive - do what you say you’re going to do when you say you’re going to do it and communicate at every stage
- have a growth mindset - learn every day, be humble and curious, and accept and embrace feedback
- embrace complexity and be adaptable - be flexible and open to new challenges and find opportunity in the challenging moments.
Benefits of working at the ACCC
The graduate program is highly regarded by all that engage in it with many of our previous graduates continuing their careers with the ACCC.
The program has many benefits including:
- an intensive work program
- rotations across the agency with opportunities try new things
- ongoing on and off the job learning and development to help you hone specialist skills that are relevant to your work
- flexible working conditions
- regular opportunities to network, socialise share experiences and develop relationships with your graduate colleagues across Australia
- an entry level program coordinator and assigned buddy, both of whom are available to support you personally and professionally throughout the program
- a competitive starting salary of $74,233, with advancement to the APS 5 classification upon successfully completing the program
- a workplace that embraces diversity, inclusion and equality.
Indigenous Graduate Pathway
This year we are participating in centralised recruitment through the Indigenous Graduate Pathway. As an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander you will be able to complete one application and be considered for multiple Agencies and Departments within the Australian Public Service (APS).
To apply and find out more, see the Indigenous Careers website.