The ABS is Australia’s national statistical agency and an official source of independent, reliable information.
We tell the real story of Australia, its economy, and its people by bringing life and meaning to numbers.
We are also leading the Data Professional Stream to drive collaboration across the Australian Public Service to build data capability and develop a data capable APS workforce.
Each year we seek graduates who have data, ICT and HR backgrounds along with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates.
Hear from some of our graduates.
A career with us offers you the opportunity to:
We want to build teams with integrity, accountability, commitment to customer service, respect for diversity and a passion for innovation – to support us in informing Australia’s important decisions.
We are committed to championing the skills and qualities of all our staff and offer a range of learning and development opportunities and experiences.
What does your typical workday look like?
My typical day changes from week to week. I work on a variety of tasks and projects, but at the end of the day, these tasks all work towards improving the quality and accessibility of our data for our stakeholders and data users.
What sets the ABS apart from other graduate programs aka why did you apply with us over other companies/agencies?
From very early on, I found the ABS culture really appealing. All the people I spoke with were welcoming and friendly, and it extends throughout the organisation. It’s made such a difference to how much I look forward to work. I also found that the ABS gets their grads to work on real work from day one, facing real problems, working with real numbers and answering real questions from the beginning of the program, which also makes coming to work much more satisfying.
What advice would you give yourself before starting as an ABS Grad?
The ABS employs people from so many diverse backgrounds. Just because you aren’t a “data person”, doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for you in the ABS. I would like to tell my past self that the skills I gained from my Arts degrees will be useful and will be valued in my job!
I was talking to a family friend at a Christmas party about her role at the ABS, and it really sparked my interest. After the Christmas party, I applied for a temporary role during the Census through the STAR Register (non-ongoing register).
When my Census contract was ending, I applied for a permanent APS 4 role. I was lucky enough to gain a position in the Prices and Economic Statistics Futures Division.
I work in the Producer Price Indexes team, and I measure the price change of products (goods and services) as they enter production and leave the production process.
I look at the prices of food and agricultural products which go into manufacturing, and the prices of the final products after being manufactured. What I enjoy most about my role is learning and understanding how the production of products and pricing works. In my role, I do a lot of research into how things are made, and touch base with the businesses that provide us with information to discuss what is impacting the prices of their products.
The ABS does more than just The Census and Consumer Price Index (CPI). Teams in the ABS review and analyse things that impact everyday life.
Apply! From someone who didn’t go to university, don’t feel you need a degree to apply or work at ABS.
After completing my Certificate III in Business, I applied online (via the ABS website: ‘Careers page’) for an Executive Assistant position at the Australian Bureau of Statistics. I was then contacted for an interview. I was thrilled when I was offered the position!
I work as an Executive Assistant in the Technology and Security Division. My main role stems from a broad scope of responsibilities. Acting on behalf of my Executives as their first point of contact, I manage all correspondence directed to them. This includes scheduling and calendar management, monitoring email inboxes and phone calls, finances, and expenses, and carrying out any additional administrative tasks.
Additionally, this role involves being highly organised, having exceptional communication and collaboration skills, and having the ability to problem solve/make on-the-spot decisions.
What I love most about my role is how dynamic, innovative, and diverse it can be, with no two days being the same. I love the inclusive and friendly culture at the ABS and how my position enables me to have the opportunity and pleasure of meeting different people every day. Furthermore, this position provides great opportunities for personal growth and learning development in a supportive and fast-paced environment.
One of the most common misconceptions about the ABS is that when people hear “The Australian Bureau of Statistics,” they may assume our department is primarily centred on just Statistics. When in fact, we are an official source of independent, reliable information, including a wide range of economics, social, population, and environmental matters. We are also leaders in the data landscape.
The ABS offers a Graduate Development Program, which is the perfect opportunity for graduate students to launch their careers. With a vast variety of different fields and sections, the ABS provides graduates with the fundamental training and opportunities to develop their skills. You can register for this program via the ABS Careers website. Alternately, you can also check out the ‘current vacancies page’ to see other open opportunities.
I currently work as a statistical analyst in the team that collects and publishes data on the Consumer Price Index. I tend to liken my job role to that of a storyteller wherein I quality adjust and process data to draw out key stories which I then confront with external sources and present the key information to various internal stakeholders.
Having studied economics and finance at university was quite interested in working somewhere where I could really delve into key economic data and understand how it is produced in the Australian context. After taking part in the 2020 program I learnt so much more about personal development, working in multi-disciplinary teams and leadership.
It also helped that the application process for the ABS was the first time that I had felt like an actual person when applying for graduate jobs!
Take advantage of as many of the optional aspects of the program as possible! They’re a great way to meet people from work areas outside of your team, meet senior leaders and give back to the organisation.
I had been working a couple of different jobs after finishing school, but I hadn’t decided what I wanted to do for a career.
One of my jobs at the time, was working in a café across the road from ABS house. We got a lot of customers from ABS, and they always had good things to say about the agency. It just so happened that the Census was about to take place and the ABS was hiring non-ongoing staff for a variety of roles. As I had experience in management roles, I applied and was successful in getting a role as a supervisor in the Census data coding division.
I now work in the National Data Acquisition Division as a supervisor for the Household Survey Operations team. In my role, I am responsible for supervising a team of 20 ABS field interviewers that collect data for a variety of surveys, such as the monthly population survey. I really enjoy the different challenges the role brings. Managing a team of remote staff isn’t easy, but I am learning something new every day. It is also very rewarding when I can see the results of my team’s hard work pay off.
People often assume that you need to be very skilled at math or have a degree in statistics to be employed by the ABS. While a lot of roles in the ABS value data analysis skills, I am a great example that this not always being the case. The ABS has a lot of career opportunities for people with all kinds of experience and skill sets.
There are a number of ways a young person can get started in the ABS. Whether it be through the graduate programs or just applying for roles through the careers page like I did. Even if you don’t have experience working in for the government, the ABS has so many different roles and opportunities to find something that matches your skillset. The best advice I can give, is check the careers page and apply for the role because you might be just the person they are looking for.
I commenced working at the ABS in June 2021 in the Census HR team. I secured a six-month contract as someone I knew personally worked in the team and informed me that the ABS was recruiting. Even though it was a short-term contract I really enjoyed my time working with the team, it brought me a lot more confidence and developed my skills and knowledge.
When the work of the Census was finishing, I was offered a role as an Executive Assistant to the General Manager of the Prices and Economic Statistics Futures Division. I currently support three senior executives in the Division. In this role, I manage their calendars and emails, set-up meetings with both internal and external stakeholders, and manage the day-to-day running of the offices. I’m a very organised person and like being busy so this role really suits me. Every day brings different challenges and there is always plenty to do!
One aspect I like most about my job, is getting to interact and meet so many different people inside and outside the organisation.
The biggest misconception about the ABS would be that people think you have to be a data specialist or analyst to work here at the ABS. There is plenty of opportunities to explore the different roles within the agency.
People can apply for jobs at the ABS through our website. All of the Bureau’s vacancies are listed on the ‘ABS Careers’ page and people can also submit an application on the Skills, Talent and Asset Register.
The Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP) Data Stream includes Australian Public Service (APS) and other Commonwealth agencies seeking to recruit graduates who are interested in pursuing a career in data.
We are leading this recruitment and last year we recruited over 200 Data Graduates for 22 agencies, including over 80 for the ABS.
Next year we expect to have more roles available, one application opens the door to multiple opportunities.
Register here to be advised when applications open.
The APS is the federal public service of the Commonwealth of Australia responsible for the public administration, public policy and public services of the departments and executive and statutory agencies of the Government of Australia.
Data Graduate roles support evidence-based, informed decision making, and work across all aspects of government such as policy development, program management and service delivery.
As a graduate in the APS and Commonwealth agencies you’ll do meaningful work from day one, be asked to contribute, be recognised for your perspective and see the impact you can make in the Australian community we serve. We are looking for people who have a passion for data and want to use and hone their skills to build a better Australia and shape its broader place and role in the world.
The employment conditions in the APS make it a leading employer of choice, and include:
We are passionate about building an inclusive culture that recognises the diverse range of skills, experiences and qualities of our people, and where everyone can contribute fully, feel valued and bring their whole selves to work. We recognise that a workforce that reflects the Australian population leads to better decision-making, innovation and employee wellbeing.
In 2020, 87% of our staff agreed that the ABS supports and actively promotes an inclusive culture.
In 2019-20, we were assessed by the Diversity Council of Australia as being an Inclusive Employer. This means we have shown an active commitment to inclusion by exceeding the National Index Benchmark on inclusion at work. See DCA’s Inclusion@Work Index for more information.
We are members of the Australian Network on Disability, Pride in Diversity and the Diversity Council of Australia. In 2018 we won the Federal Government Flexible Working Day award.
We provide reasonable adjustments during selection processes and in the workplace to enable people with disability to participate fully.
Our leaders are champions for inclusion and diversity, and we have several employee networks supporting:
Read more about our ABS Inclusion and Diversity Strategy 2018-21 and ABS Reconciliation Plan 2018-2021, or contact the Inclusion and Diversity team at workplace.diversity@abs.gov.au.
If you are interested in a career at the ABS, see our Current Vacancies.
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Explore our many employer partners who want to be a part of your future career journey.
