The DFAT Graduate Program (Corporate and Policy streams, 18 months in Canberra) describes its selection process as an online assessment ("behavioural and/or psychometric"), a one-way video interview (DFAT: "up to three minutes response time"), an assessment centre (interview, group activity and written test), then referee checks and a merit pool. For the 2027 intake, applications opened in March 2026 and closed in April 2026, with selection from April to July and a February 2027 start; DFAT invites candidates to register interest in the 2028 program and has not yet published its dates. The Australian Government Graduate Program (APS Career Pathways) runs streams such as Generalist, Data, Digital, Economist, Legal, STEM, HR, Intelligence, Accounting and Financial Management and the Indigenous Graduate Pathway; it lists applications for every stream as opening on 1 March 2027. In the Generalist and Digital streams, shortlisted applicants complete online aptitude tests, then a written pitch is assessed, then a one-way video interview. Candidates must be Australian citizens with a recent degree (DFAT 2027: completed between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2026). DFAT also names cognitive ability and situational judgement tests among its assessment methods, and APS employees must uphold the APS Values: Impartial, Committed to service, Accountable, Respectful, Ethical and Stewardship.
APS & DFAT graduate practice: aptitude tests and APS Values judgement
Independent practice, not affiliated with DFAT or the Australian Public Service Commission.
Online-test, video-interview and assessment-centre practice in one kit
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Independent practice, not affiliated with DFAT or the Australian Public Service Commission.
The six APS Values of the Public Service Act 1999 in plain English: an example of each, how to show them in your pitch, the interview questions they sit behind, two worked answers.
When the 2028 round is likely to open, the official 2027 timeline, the APS 4 to APS 5 salary, who is eligible, the selection stages, and what is known about the odds.
How the one-way DFAT video interview works, 15 practice questions built from the qualities DFAT says it wants, a timed 3-minute practice box and three model answers.
Which Australian Government Graduate Program streams use online aptitude, psychometric, situational judgement or written tests, what comes after them, and how to practise for the Generalist Stream.
Where the online assessment sits in DFAT's graduate selection, what its behavioural and psychometric parts usually look like, what DFAT has and has not published, and a free practice test.
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