Digital Archiving Graduate Cadet (Affirmative Measures - Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander)

About the role

The National Archives' Digital Archiving Graduate Cadet Program is an opportunity to continue professional study while getting hands-on experience in the management of digital records that define Australia's past and shape its future.

The Digital Archiving Cadet (Affirmative Measure - Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) role is open to applicants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage only.

While working part-time (equivalent of 3 days a week) at National Archives, the Digital Archiving Cadet will be supported to complete the Graduate Certificate in Digital Archiving from Charles Sturt University. Learning will be completed remotely with a 50% loading (2 subjects per semester, over two semesters). All course fees will be fully covered by the National Archives as part of the cadetship program. The study component of the cadetship is online and is to be completed outside of working hours at the National Archives.

The successful cadets will undertake three rotations during the eleven-month program, primarily in the Government Information & Collection Management and Access & Public Engagement branches. During the rotations, the successful cadets will build practical skills and experience in a range of roles, with an emphasis on digital archiving. At the successful completion of the cadetship, a full-time, ongoing role will be offered to the cadets at APS4 level.

Benefits of working at the National Archives

• APS employees receive a generous 15.4% employer superannuation contribution.
• Salary packaging is available to employees on a salary sacrifice basis, including for extra superannuation contributions.
• To help you balance work requirements and family responsibilities we support our employees with a range of flexible employment conditions such as:
  • flex time
  • working from home
  • working part-time, and
  • job-sharing.
• Full-time employees receive 18 days leave per year to help you manage work against illness, injury and caring responsibilities.
• Full-time employees accrue 20 days of annual leave per year.
• Employees receive paid time off for the working days between Christmas Day and New Year's Day (in accordance with their Ordinary Hours of Work).
• We focus on growing your capability with leadership programs, coaching and mentoring, studies assistance, professional skills training and seminars.

National Archives cares about the cultural safety of our First Nations employees and colleagues, and aims to create a welcoming, safe workspace through the following:

• option to work a normal workday on 26 January (utilising the public holiday on a different day)
• access to cultural, ceremonial and NAIDOC leave
• implementation of the Reconciliation Action Plan, supported by the RAP Working Group
• First Nations Cultural Competency training for staff
• access to the First Nations Employee Network.

Activities of the role

Tasks will vary from cadet to cadet, dependent on rotations, and may include (but not limited to) the following:

• Arranging and describing archival collections
• Responding to client queries
• Assisting with public seminars
• Research in different aspects of recordkeeping and archival management
• Preservation of collection items
• Transfer of archival records
• Digitisation of collection items

Preference will be given to applicants who are able to work in Canberra, but requests to be based in Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne or Sydney will be considered. Relocation assistance may be provided on a case-by-case basis.

The selection process may include a mix of practical tasks, group activities and individual interviews for shortlisted applicants. If shortlisted for individual interviews, these are tentatively set for the week beginning 12 October 2026.

Employment in the graduate cadet role will be from 1 February 2027. The Graduate Certificate Session 1 program begins on 1 March 2027 (TBC).

Eligibility

• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS)
• Successful applicants must meet the requirements (either an undergraduate university degree, or 5 years minimum equivalent professional experience in a related field) for enrolment in the Graduate Certificate in Digital Archiving at Charles Sturt University- for more information see: Graduate Certificate in Digital Archiving - Study (csu.edu.au).
• Successful applicants will be required to undergo the process to obtain and maintain the required security clearance level for the role as indicated.
• Successful applicants will be required to undergo a mandatory National Police Check.
• Your employment with National Archives will be contingent on the satisfactory completion of a three-month period of probationary employment.

Indicative Timeline

Activity

Date/s

1. Online candidate information sessions - week beginning 10 August 2026
2. Application closing date - Sunday 23 August 2026
3. Practical tasks requested (if shortlisted) - 4 September 2026
4. Interviews (if shortlisted) - Week beginning 12 October 2026
5. Successful applicants informed - By 13 November 2026 at the latest
6. Security checks - November - December 2026
7. Employment begins - 1 February 2027
8. Graduate Certificate Session 1 begins - 1 March 2027 (TBC)