Start your career with a graduate experience like no other. The role the ANAO plays in keeping government accountable to the Parliament and public makes us truly unique in the fields of government, accounting and audit.

See and be different at the ANAO:

• get a bird’s eye view of how government works, working across the public service — an experience you can’t get anywhere else
• have impact on government, keeping them accountable for their use of public resources and promoting meaningful change
• see your work published and tabled in Parliament
• learn from the best, with exposure and access to senior leadership at the ANAO (including the Auditor-General), as well as at the agencies we audit.

Meet our 2022 graduates

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• generous conditions, including a starting salary of $67,905 plus 15.4% super
• engaging, interesting work that supports accountability and integrity in government
• flexible working arrangements and a positive culture of work-life balance
• promotion to a higher classification at the completion of the program
• extensive learning and development opportunities to support your career goals
• plenty of support to settle in, including mentoring from two buddies
• a collaborative, diverse and welcoming office, and a positive culture built on shared values and a common goal

Who we are

We’re a specialist public sector agency that supports the Auditor-General of Australia to conduct financial, performance and performance statement audits of Australian Government agencies.

Driven by our strong culture of integrity and independence, we work to hold the biggest entities in Australia to account. We’re proud of our commitment to fully understanding and shining a light on the details of public administration for the benefit of everyone.

Whatever your academic background, we have a place for your unique skills and experience.

Meet your future colleagues

Tessa, a financial statement auditor and former graduate, speaks on her experiences in the program and at the ANAO.

Jodi, one of our senior leaders in financial statement audit, talks about her ANAO career.

Song, a data analyst and former graduate, speaks on his experiences in the program and at the ANAO.

Who you are

Our work is highly varied, with an emphasis on analysis, research and writing skills, rather than a particular academic background — which means whatever your degree, we have a place for you.

If you’re a curious and highly motivated team player, then you’ll flourish as an ANAO auditor. Other traits that we look for in our grads include:

• a positive attitude and an eagerness to learn
• strong communication skills
• creative and critical thinking
• flexibility and adaptability
• well-developed conceptual and analytical abilities
• a strong sense of purpose and the drive to achieve.

Curious about how you can make the most of your specific degree?

Humanities, science, and social science majors: use your research skills to develop deep insight into public policy and administration issues

As a grad in our Performance Audit Services Group, you’ll apply your generalist skills to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of different government programs. Each new audit is like a new research project, which comes with the opportunity to build an in-depth understanding of the specific audit topic.

Alternatively, in our new Performance Statement Audit Services Group, you’ll examine agencies’ annual reports and performance statements. Be on the forefront of audit innovation as you drive improvements in the quality of public performance reporting.

Data science and information systems majors: evaluate the IT infrastructure of government, or work on the cutting edge of modelling and audit automation to discover insights into public policies

In our Systems Assurance and Data Analytics team, our data analysts use problem-solving and programming expertise to analyse complex and varied data across a wide range of topics. If this is your area of expertise, you’ll work with innovative technology for statistical modelling, data mining, text mining and process mining to help us examine the big public issues of the day — from mass-scale infrastructure projects through to the delivery of services to communities.

On the other hand, our IT auditors examine the systems, platforms and networks used by government agencies, as well as their IT policies and procedures. In an IT audit role, you’ll evaluate whether these are functioning properly, keeping information secure and achieving intended goals and objectives. You’ll audit systems used by some of the Australian Government’s biggest departments (e.g. Australian Taxation Office, Department of Defence, Services Australia) and a host of small to medium sized agencies, authorities and companies. Job variety is guaranteed!

Accounting and finance majors: hone your craft in a place where profit isn’t a driver

As a grad in our Financial Statements Audit Services Group, you’ll audit the spending and administration of government agencies, keeping the exercise of authority and expenditure of public funds accountable to Parliament.

Do meaningful and rewarding work as you gain broad experience with the public sector, engaging with our unique and diverse client base of 250+ government bodies and growing as an auditor and accountant.

Audit and Legal specialists, or Business and IT majors: give advice on standards and frameworks, or work with our people, policies and systems to support our business

As a grad in our Professional Services and Relationships Group, you’ll give specialist advice and support to our auditors and review their work for quality and compliance — as well as managing the methodologies and tools that guide our best practice auditing standards.

As a grad in our Corporate Management Group, you’ll work in your own specialist area — like human resources, communication, finance or IT. Lead change across our organisation and transform the way the office works as you put your tertiary studies into practice in our busy and diverse corporate environment.

The ANAO places a strong emphasis on continuous learning and professional development at all levels of the organisation. We invest in continuous learning that equips you to meet the challenges of your job.

Our graduate program will teach you how to collaborate, communicate and influence — core skills that you’ll tap into time and time again over your career. You’ll develop these skills, along with your technical knowhow, through:

• an extensive program of face-to-face workshops and masterclasses
• self-directed online learning
• on-the-job training from peers
• structured rotations into different parts of the office.

Rotations at the ANAO

You’ll have a dedicated ‘home team’ in your service group when you commence at the ANAO, experiencing the full audit cycle as you work on a particular portfolio.

Our rotation program will see you spend 8 weeks working in different service groups, to diversify your skillset and help you understand how different parts of the office work.

You might take a break from debits and credits to test the accuracy of agency performance statements — or spend some time away from program evaluation to get a handle on our corporate and enabling services.

Beyond the graduate program

We know that your career goals extend beyond finishing the grad program — which is why we offer generous studies assistance to all non-graduate staff, including assistance with CA and CPA accreditation and support for maintaining membership with professional bodies and associations. We also support secondments and temporary transfer opportunities across the APS and the broader sector, so you can further gain experience and develop expertise.

Beyond your graduate year, our ANAO Academy is here to support your career journey with us, providing structured pathways and programs for achieving your goals.

Applications for our 2024 graduate program open on 6 March 2023, and close 8 May 2023.

All you need to apply is:

• a current CV
• your academic record
• a short expression of interest
• the details of two referees.

If you’ve heard enough and want to get started on your application, head to our recruitment portal: www.anao.gov.au/careers/vacancies.

Alternatively, read on for further details.

Our recruitment process

After an initial assessment period, short listed applicants will be invited to participate in a range of assessment activities. For those who progress to the final stage, we’ll fly you to Canberra for a meet and greet, and do your last assessment in person.

We’ll send out an initial round of offers in July, with graduate intakes in October 2023 and February 2024.

Eligibility for the program

If you’ve completed any undergraduate-level degree in the last seven years, in any area, then you’re welcome to apply.

To be eligible for our graduate program, you must also be:

• an Australian citizen
• willing to undertake a security clearance process
• willing to relocate to Canberra.

Position locations

All graduate positions are located in Canberra, ACT.

We provide relocation assistance if you need to move from interstate.

Reasonable adjustment

The ANAO is committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace where all our employees are valued.

This commitment extends to our recruitment practice — we will provide reasonable adjustments to our application and assessment process based on need.

Please ensure that you contact our People Services Team about any adjustments or considerations you may need for assessment processes before completing the relevant assessments. No consideration can be given after assessment submission or without evidence.

Get in touch

Email: peopleservices@anao.gov.au
Phone: (02) 6203 7741
Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.