Take your career somewhere
unexpected.
GO FURTHER, FASTER
Your first job can
shape your first 5 years.
Build meaningful experience early, with broad exposure and real responsibility that can set your career in motion.
Meaningful work
Contribute to the Territory Budget, economic modelling, policy and major Territory investments.
Broader exposure
Complete three rotations across DT&F, working with different teams, projects and areas of government.
Real responsibility
Take on meaningful work and engage with senior leaders, with support as your capability grows.
Your five year plan just got an upgrade
There’s no single path your career has to follow here. A graduate role can lead to opportunities across Treasury and Finance and the wider NT Government.
You’ll work alongside experienced professionals, interact with senior leaders and build an understanding of government few graduates get this early.
Your path will depend on where your strengths and interests take you. What matters is the opportunity to build breadth, responsibility and connections early.
REAL WORK. REAL RESPONSIBILITY.
Do work that matters.
Your graduate year isn’t about observing from the sidelines. You’ll work with experienced professionals, senior leaders and teams across government. The work is real. So is your opportunity to make an impact.
Public Sector
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Financial Services
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since 1966, when designers at Letraset and James Mosley, the librarian at St Bride Printing Library in London, took a 1914 Cicero translation and scrambled it to make dummy text for Letraset's Body Type sheets. It has survived not only many decades, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised thanks to these sheets and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker and Microsoft Word including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Utilities, Energy & Resources
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since 1966, when designers at Letraset and James Mosley, the librarian at St Bride Printing Library in London, took a 1914 Cicero translation and scrambled it to make dummy text for Letraset's Body Type sheets. It has survived not only many decades, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised thanks to these sheets and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker and Microsoft Word including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Transportation, Logistics & Infrastructure
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since 1966, when designers at Letraset and James Mosley, the librarian at St Bride Printing Library in London, took a 1914 Cicero translation and scrambled it to make dummy text for Letraset's Body Type sheets. It has survived not only many decades, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised thanks to these sheets and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker and Microsoft Word including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Commercial Enterprises
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since 1966, when designers at Letraset and James Mosley, the librarian at St Bride Printing Library in London, took a 1914 Cicero translation and scrambled it to make dummy text for Letraset's Body Type sheets. It has survived not only many decades, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised thanks to these sheets and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker and Microsoft Word including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Health & Communities
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since 1966, when designers at Letraset and James Mosley, the librarian at St Bride Printing Library in London, took a 1914 Cicero translation and scrambled it to make dummy text for Letraset's Body Type sheets. It has survived not only many decades, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised thanks to these sheets and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker and Microsoft Word including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Develop the Northern Territory budget
Economic modelling and forecasting
Whole-of-government financial reporting
Policy development and drafting legislation
Major territory investment work
Cabinet advice and commentary
A graduate program with a
little more life built in.
0
0
0
weeks
Annual leave
More time to travel, head home or explore somewhere new.
0
+
days
Christmas shutdown
Three additional days off when the closes over Christmas.
0
& beyond
Build experience that open opportunities across DT&F and the wider NT Government.
0
weeks
Personal leave
Because life doesn’t always fit neatly around work. Paragraph
HEAR FROM PAST GRADS
“You expect there’s going to be this huge learning curve and you’ll be getting coffees and scanning things. But actually, you were very much involved.”
Friday night
Finish work and head out for dinner or sunset drinks.
Saturday
Markets, waterfalls, fishing, hiking or a road trip out of town.
Sunday
Slow things down before Monday rolls around again
Plot twist:
you live in the NT.
A move to the Northern Territory isn't just a career decision. It's a lifestyle choice.
Less time sitting in traffic. More time outside.
Warm weather. Incredible landscapes. A close-knit community.
You could finish work with enough time left in the day to actually do something with it.
Your commute just got shorter. Your weekends got bigger.
Making a move
Moving interstate is a big decision. We'll help make the practical side easier.
$4,000
Relocation assistance to help cover eligible costs, including moving your vehicle or pet.
+ your flight
One-way economy airfare to ensure you reach your new career destination smoothly.
and accommodation
2 weeks paid accommodation, giving you time to arrive, settle in and find your feet.
HEAR FROM PAST GRADS
“As a graduate, I remember being very surprised to be given responsibility for preparing forecasts for a couple of industries and written chapters that ultimately ended up being published as part of the Budget.”
Meet people who went somewhere unexpected.
Hear from people who made the move, joined the Department and discovered
where an NT career could take them.
Why did they choose the Territory? What surprised them?
What has happened to their career since?
And, importantly:
Would they do it again?
More questions?
Have a read of the FAQs
Who can apply?
You can apply if you completed an eligible degree within the past three years. You can also apply if you’ll graduate before the program begins.
You’ll need Australian citizenship, permanent residency or appropriate Australian working rights.
I’m from New Zealand. Can I apply?
Yes, provided you hold appropriate Australian working rights.
How long is the program?
The program runs for 12 months and includes three rotations across DT&F.
What kind of work will I do?
It depends on your rotation.
You could contribute to the Northern Territory Budget, economic modelling and forecasting, financial reporting, policy and legislation, Territory investments, revenue forecasting, contract management and Cabinet-related work.
You’ll be supported as you build your capability and take on greater responsibility.
Do I need to know exactly where I want my career to go?
No. That’s part of the point.
Your rotations give you the chance to experience different areas, build new skills and discover where your strengths could take you.
Where is the program based?
The graduate program is based in Darwin.
Is the program office-based?
Yes. Graduate positions are office-based.
DT&F also has a Flexible Work Policy that may support flexible working arrangements later in your career with the Department.
How much annual leave will I get?
You’ll receive six weeks of annual recreation leave, plus three weeks of personal leave.
DT&F also closes for an additional three days over the Christmas period.
What happens when the program finishes?
Your graduate year can lead to opportunities within DT&F or the wider NT Government.
Depending on available opportunities, this could include ongoing employment, an extension or support finding another suitable NT Government role.
Can I bring my pet to NT?
Absolutely. Eligible pet relocation costs can be included within your relocation assistance.
Is relocation support available?
Yes. Eligible graduates relocating to the Northern Territory can receive:
$4,000 in relocation assistance
A one-way economy flight
Up to 14 days of paid accommodation
In certain circumstances, accommodation may be extended up to 28 days by application.
What can the $4,000 relocation assistance be used for?
The relocation assistance can contribute towards eligible moving costs, including relocating your belongings, vehicle or pet.
Can my partner or family relocate with me?
Of course, but the graduate relocation package does not include separate flight assistance for partners or family members.
The temporary accommodation provided can be selected to accommodate them.
Will you help me find somewhere to live?
You’ll receive up to 14 days of paid temporary accommodation to give you time to arrive and settle in.
DT&F has not indicated that a dedicated accommodation-finding service is provided, so I wouldn't promise anything beyond this.
What could my career progression look like?
There isn’t one fixed career path.
Depending on your interests, capability and available opportunities, career progression within DT&F can include roles such as:
Graduate → Analyst → Senior Analyst → Principal Analyst → Assistant Director → Director
Your rotations give you the chance to build experience across different areas before deciding where you want to take your career.
What do I need to include in my application?
Your application should include:
- A current resume
- A one-page cover letter
- Two current referees from an Australian organisation or business
- Your most recent Australian university results
- A copy of your degree, if you’ve already graduated
Visa holders will also need to provide evidence of appropriate working rights.
What happens after I apply?
Applications will be reviewed before shortlisted candidates progress through the selection and interview process.
Successful candidates will then receive an offer and information about relocation and preparing to commence the program.
When does the program start?
The 2027 Graduate Program is scheduled to commence on 15 January 2027.
How many graduate positions are available?
DT&F is recruiting 10 graduates for the 2027 program.
What is the starting salary?
The graduate starting salary is $76,155 plus superannuation.
Applicants who can demonstrate two years of relevant experience may be eligible to apply for the next salary increment.
