New APS Academy at CDU to boost jobs and digital opportunities

A new APS Academy Campus will be established at Charles Darwin University (CDU) supporting Territorians to gain data and digital roles in the APS, while remaining in the Northern Territory.

Territorians will be the beneficiaries of new Australian Public Service (APS) jobs as part of the APS Initiative which is now open for applications.

Darwin is one of four regions in Australia where an APS Academy Campus will be established. Once fully operational, the campuses will offer a suite of flexible data and digital training and entry-level employment opportunities – including paid graduate placements, apprenticeships, cadetships and internships.

The Charles Darwin University (CDU) APS Academy Campus will open in mid-2023 for apprentice, cadet and intern programs, with graduate placements commencing from early 2024.

Minister for the Public Service, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, said the Government is pleased to partner with Charles Darwin University to establish an APS Academy Campus in Darwin.

“Like the private sector, the APS is struggling to find enough people with the technical skills to fill roles in the data and digital space, but this Campus Initiative is the latest positive step in the right direction to deal with this issue and to ultimately keep those workers in the APS,” Minister Gallagher said.

“The University is a partner of the Darwin Innovation Hub, has connections with the private sector in the area of cyber security and offers a range of digital and ICT courses that will create a stream of data and digital talent to deliver great policy and services for all Australians.”

MP for Solomon, Luke Gosling, said he was excited to see uptake of the program in Darwin.

“Darwin locals shouldn’t have to move to the capital cities if they want to a career in the APS,” Mr Gosling said.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our region, and I look forward to seeing the gains that will come from giving locals the opportunity to study and undertake secure work in for the APS right here at home in the Top End Darwin."

“I hope to see many take up this opportunity, and I look forward to seeing the program grow and the secure jobs that come out of it for Territorians.”

The digital apprenticeships enable students to undertake vocational education and training (VET) courses while working as APS employees, while data and digital internships and cadetships are available for students completing their degrees.

Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said he is pleased to be working with the APS through this program.

“We’re delighted to join with the government in delivering jobs and digital opportunities in Darwin, to ensure that Territorians have access to data and digital employment opportunities without having to leave the Northern Territory,” Professor Bowman said.

“The Academy will complement CDU’s existing work in cyber security and digital innovation, help to boost our skilled workforce in the Territory and will provide our students with new pathways for data and digital professional careers.”

Other Australian Public Service (APS) Academy Campuses will be co-located at the University of Newcastle, James Cook University in Townsville and the University of Tasmania in Launceston. 

For more information about APS Academy Campus Data and Digital Program opportunities, visit apsjobs.gov.au/s/data-and-digital-programs.