DEED Graduate Program 2027

Shape the Future of Western Australia

An exciting opportunity for graduates to build a career in the public sector.

Join a department that’s powering WA’s energy transition and building a bold, diverse economy for generations to come. At the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED), your work will help drive innovation, support local businesses, and position WA on the global stage. If you're ready to make a real impact - this is where your next chapter begins.

About the Department

DEED is responsible for securing the State’s energy and economic future, driving innovation and long-term prosperity for all. This includes:

• Ensuring Western Australia is a reliable, efficient and attractive place to do business
• Increasing business investment
• Fostering Western Australia’s skills and capacity now and into the future
• Driving the energy transition

The Department is guided by the following principles which shape our culture, decision-making and strategic direction:

• Lead with empathy and integrity: Act with kindness, respect and care for colleagues, stakeholders and communities. Be authentic and transparent, making grounded decisions that balance immediate needs with long-term priorities.
• Collaborate and connect: Build trust and strong relationships across teams, regions and international offices. Break down silos, share expertise and engage stakeholders constructively to deliver better outcomes together.
• Take ownership and be accountable: Lead at every level by taking initiative, leaning on strengths and empowering others. Define roles, responsibilities and decision pathways clearly, ensuring accountability is visible and consistent.
• Focus on progress and continuous improvement: Prioritise finding practical solutions. Reflect, learn and adapt quickly to changing circumstances, continuously improving processes to enhance efficiency and reduce duplication.
• Stay aligned to purpose and impact: Keep connected to DEED’s bigger picture, enabling Western Australia’s long-term prosperity. Align actions to strategy, work across government and deliver innovative solutions that create enduring value for the community.

About the Program

The Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED) partners with the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (DLGIRS) to deliver an award winning interagency graduate program, offering shared networking, professional development, and rotation opportunities. We also collaborate with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), providing rotations that support the Streamline WA initiative.

This 18-month program is designed to build the skills, experience, and networks needed for a successful and rewarding public sector career. For the 2026 intake, we are offering up to six (6) graduate positions.

As a graduate, you will contribute to statewide projects and initiatives, applying your skills and knowledge to support the full spectrum of Western Australia’s economic activity from strategic energy planning and large scale industrial operations to innovative startups and small to medium businesses. You will be based within one of DEED’s groups, with a planned rotation schedule offering opportunities to work across the agency and with our partner agencies.

What sets our program apart?

• Permanent position after successfully completing all parts of the program.
• Attractive salary often a higher salary than private sector graduate programs.
• Metro location and flexible work arrangements for worklife balance.
• Interagency program with rotation opportunities at other departments in the public sector.
• Extensive learning and development opportunities.
• A comprehensive support network.

About the Role

We are seeking graduates who have completed their degree in 2024 or 2025 or will do so by December 2026. We want graduates who embrace our leadership expectations demonstrating the behaviours and mindset needed to succeed, including a forever curious, forever learning approach. This is someone who is committed to continually developing themselves, adapting to change, and refining their approach to remain effective in a dynamic work environment. They understand the impact of their work style on others and actively look for ways to improve how they work with their manager, team members, and stakeholders. They value self awareness recognising their strengths, weaknesses, and potential blind spots and use this insight to expand their knowledge, skills, and technical expertise. They are open to guidance, eager to participate in learning opportunities, and proactive in applying what they learn. They respond positively to change, seek and act on feedback, and bring strong research, analytical, and written skills, working productively as part of a team to deliver results.

Your responsibilities could include:

• Carrying out research, policy and project activities to support business objectives, individually and as part of a team.
• Writing ministerial and briefing notes.
• Providing customer service and advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Supporting initiatives in diverse environments to a gain a holistic view of work in the WA government.

If you have the following degrees, we encourage you to apply

• Business, Commerce & Economics
• Law & Policy
• Media, Communications & Arts
• Technology & Science
• Environment & Sustainability

This program is part of our diversity and inclusion employment initiative. The DEED is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects the community we serve and fostering an inclusive culture where every employee feels valued, respected, and connected.

We encourage applications from graduates from any of the following diversity groups to be a part of our January 2026 intake:

• People aged 24 years and under
• People with disability
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

To be eligible, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident when you submit your application.

Further information about the role and the expected leadership behaviours can be found in the attached Job Description Form. Assessment of leadership behaviours may be included in the recruitment process.

How to apply

To apply, click ‘Apply for Job’ at top or bottom of this page and follow the prompts. Please submit the following:

• A covering letter (two pages maximum) outlining:
• The reasons why you applied for this position and the program and your career aspirations in the next 5 years.
• The knowledge and experience developed through your studies and work (including work experience or volunteer work) to demonstrate your willingness to learn, ability to research and analyse and communicate effectively with various stakeholders.
• A current CV (maximum 2 pages) detailing your education, work experience and relevant skills. Please include contact details of two referees – ideally including your current or most recent line manager.
• Academic Transcript: Attach a copy of your Academic Transcript

Your application must be submitted online. To avoid any last-minute system issues, we recommend submitting your application well ahead of the closing time.

DEED may conduct further search activities or extend the closing date, if required to supplement the field of applicants. 

Interested in more information?

For information regarding these positions, you are encouraged to contact Joshua Lenzo via ******@priceconsulting.com.au

To learn more about what we do and how to prepare your application, please refer to the Applicant Information Pack.

Supporting diversity and inclusion

As an equal opportunity employer, the department is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workplace and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Preference may be given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people of diverse sexualities, and young people.

If you have any communication or access needs and require adjustments to take part in the application process, please contact our Talent Team at ******@deed.wa.gov.au. We are committed to providing a fair and supportive recruitment experience for everyone.

Additional job information

Applications must be submitted prior to the closing date and time specified in the job advertisement. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Successful candidates will be required to obtain a National Police Clearance before commencing employment. Some positions may also require an Australian Government Security Clearance.

Closing Date: Your online application must be submitted online prior to the closing date and time - 3:00 PM on Monday 07 September 2026 (AWST)