GRADStart
Kickstart your career, make a meaningful difference to the lives of Queenslanders and secure a permanent role in Queensland Treasury.
Our graduate program is your opportunity to achieve great things for yourself and for Queensland by working with highly skilled professionals in a diverse and flexible environment.
As a central government agency, Treasury provides economic and financial advice and services to drive government priorities. See what we do to learn more about our key responsibilities.
As a GRADStart graduate, you will rotate through different work areas, gain an understanding of Treasury’s diverse responsibilities and build a broad range of skills. You’ll participate in a variety of training programs including specific skills development and leadership coaching, providing an opportunity to build valuable relationships and networks that will assist your career.
GRADStart will help you achieve your career goals and provide a pathway for future leadership in both Treasury and the wider public sector. See the GRADStart role description.
The roles you’ll work in may include:
- Treasury analyst – work on a range of matters across key policy areas, including the budget and financial processes that impact the Queensland Government as a whole.
- Commercial analyst – provide advice on commercial and investment matters, and work on specific projects related to key government policy areas.
- Revenue analyst – forecast Queensland’s revenues and work on initiatives to facilitate economic activity.
- Economist – analyse economic data, identify trends and provide advice on economic issues.
- Policy officer – research, analyse and develop policy on economic, fiscal and social issues.
- Accountant – manage budgets, prepare financial reports and assist in statutory accounting requirements.
- Investigation officer – investigate compliance with Queensland’s revenue and taxation legislation with a customer-centric approach.
- Statistician – analyse data to provide insights that help shape the economic and fiscal direction of Queensland.
Program highlights
From the moment you join Treasury’s 12-month graduate program, our focus is on supporting you to reach your goals. We are the Queensland Government’s expert on state finances and the economy. With Treasury, you’ll have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and contribute to solutions that have a lasting impact on Queensland’s prosperity. We can offer you:
- a permanent Queensland Government job
- a structured professional and personal development plan, with comprehensive training
- 2 x 6-month rotations commencing in your ‘home’ business area
- genuine leadership, mentoring and ongoing career development
- networking opportunities, both internal and external to Treasury
- a full-time starting salary of between $74,745 and $82,937 per annum, plus up to 12.75% superannuation
- generous leave provisions
- flexible work-life balance opportunities (36.25 hour full-time work week)
- salary packaging
- an inclusive and collaborative workplace.
What our graduates have to say
Graduate alumni, Rhiannon – Bachelor of Creative Industries and Law (Hons)
“The GRADStart program fosters individual growth with the ability to determine your own path within Queensland Treasury. Being a part of a central agency means exposure to a wide array of projects and networks spanning Queensland. The training and support have made the transition from university life to full-time work a lot easier.”
Graduate alumni, Ryan – Bachelor of Economics/Bachelor of Arts (International Relations)
“The Treasury GRADStart program has been a fantastic way to kick-start my career. I have had the chance to see and contribute to the inner-workings of government from day one while honing my technical and analytical skills, supported by teammates and managers who care about my learning and development.”
Graduate alumni Emma – Bachelor of Economics/Law (Hons)
“Queensland Treasury is a fantastic place to work. Not only does Treasury has an exceptional reputation, but it is also a great place to begin your career. The culture is very warm and welcoming, and everyone is universally very nice and supportive.”
Who are we looking for?
As a GRADStart candidate you have a drive to succeed, show initiative, are innovative and have great analytical skills. You think strategically, communicate with influence and are great with people. Your client mindset is balanced with a commitment to delivering excellence in meeting priorities for Queensland communities.
Treasury is a diverse organisation offering an exciting range of employment opportunities for recent university graduates (including post-graduate qualifications).
This year we welcome applications for our 2026 GRADStart cohort from the following disciplines:
- politics, philosophy and economics
- data analytics
- mathematics
- economics
- public policy
- finance
- law
- commerce
- business.
From time to time, we also need people from other specialist fields, so if you want to work at Queensland Treasury, please consider applying even if your field of study is outside the core areas listed above.
Are you eligible?
To be eligible for our 2026 graduate program, you must:
- be a recent university graduate (within the last two years) or due to graduate before the program commences in February 2026
- be an Australian citizen, or a person who resides in Australia and has permission under the law of the Commonwealth to work in Australia
- have undertaken or are undertaking university undergraduate or post-graduate studies in at least one of the targeted disciplines.
If you are successful in achieving an interview, you will be required to provide written consent to criminal history checks.
How to apply and selection process
Key dates
| Date | Key events |
| 22 April 2025 | Graduate applications close at 5pm |
| May 2025 | Psychometric assessments open |
| May 2025 | Video assessments completed |
| June 2025 | Pre-employment screening checks |
| August 2025 | In-person and virtual interviews commence |
| September 2025 | Offers made |
| February 2026 | Start date for 2026 GRADStart program |
Selection process
Step 1: Application form
The online application form will ask you several questions so that we can learn more about you. This will include:
- personal and demographic information
- education and qualifications.
Step 2: Online assessment
Once we confirm your eligibility for GRADStart, the next step is online assessment testing. The online testing platform will take you through cognitive, personality and behavioural testing. These tests enable us to understand you better and highlight your strength areas.
Step 3: Video interview
Based on the outcome of your online assessment, you may be selected to participate in our online video interview and assessment.
Step 4: In-person or virtual interview
Selected applicants will be invited to an interview with our GRADStart selection panel at our 1 William Street, Brisbane workplace. If you are unable to attend in person, a virtual interview can be arranged (upon request via gradprog@treasury.qld.gov.au).
The selection panel, comprising of leaders from Treasury’s business groups, will assess your suitability for a graduate role with us.
The interview is a great opportunity for you to learn more about Queensland Treasury and what our GRADStart program has to offer you.
If you have been selected for an interview, we will complete pre-employment screening checks including requesting references, criminal history clearance and confirming you can work in Australia.
Step 5: Offer
We aim to make offers by mid-September 2025 once all interviews are completed. Treasury’s GRADStart program will commence in February 2026.
Supporting equity, diversity, respect and inclusiveness in our recruitment
Treasury is committed to building a diverse, respectful and inclusive workforce that reflects Queensland’s communities. By attracting, recruiting and retaining such a diverse workforce, our department is better able to support the government in advancing its priorities. See our Inclusive recruitment page for more information.
Support and reasonable adjustments can be provided to applicants throughout the selection process as required. Contact our Graduate Coordinator at gradprog@treasury.qld.gov.au to discuss further.
Important information for applicants
- Applicants will be informed via email if they have/have not been successful in progressing to the next stage of the application process. Ensure you provide an email address that you check regularly and check your junk mailbox.
- All roles within Queensland Treasury are subject to criminal history screening. If you are being nominated for a graduate role, you will be required to provide written consent to undertake the criminal history screening. If you choose not to consent you will no longer be considered for the role.
- In applying for this program, applicants agree to conduct themselves in a professional manner and accept the decision of the selection panel.
- A six-month probation period will apply.
- Applicants must be an Australian citizen, or a person who resides in Australia and has permission under the law of the Commonwealth to work in Australia.
- The program will commence in February 2026.
Additional information
For more information about Treasury’s graduate program recruitment process, contact our Graduate Coordinator at gradprog@treasury.qld.gov.au.
Last updated: 24 March 2025