Science Graduate Program (Feb 2025)

As a Graduate of the Department of Health and Aged Care, you will have the opportunity to assist in developing and implementing policies and programs across a vast range of issues. You will contribute ideas and learn new skills in an environment that draws upon diversity and fosters innovation and high performance. 

Your work will affect the lives of all Australians.

In 2025, the Department of Health and Aged Care is piloting a dedicated Science Stream as part of our Graduate Program. We are seeking enthusiastic and motivated applicants for our science stream intake. Successful applicants will undertake 2 x 5-month rotations at the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA is part of the Health Products Regulation Group which also comprises the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme, and the Office of Drug Control.

As a graduate with a science focus, you will support the government’s priorities of ensuring Australians can have confidence in the safety, quality, and effectiveness of the therapeutic goods they access.

Our science-focussed branches deliver a wide range of services, including:

• technical- including scientific evaluation and laboratory testing.
• general scientific- including clinical trials audits and risk management plan evaluation, adverse events evaluation and managing medicine and medical device shortages. 
• policy and reform- including developing and implementing new therapeutic goods policy and communicating with our stakeholders.

Science Stream graduates at the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will undertake two rotations across more than ten branches that deliver these functions. The type of work science stream graduates will be involved in during their rotations within the TGA is varied and may include evaluation of chemistry, quality or manufacturing aspects of new prescription medicines or medical devices, undertaking annual laboratory testing of influenza vaccinations, and both routine and non-routine testing of therapeutic goods, undertaking policy work and liaising with state and territory governments, consumer and health practitioner groups, and industry stakeholders on a wide range of topics such as medicine shortages and nicotine vaping reforms.