Careers with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Temporary Employment
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade engages non-ongoing employees to fill short-term vacancies. Examples of the types of roles we fill on a short-term basis are:
- personal assistants
- administrative assistants
- budget coordinators
- freedom of information decision makers (SES level positions)
- accountants
- medical doctors (to serve overseas)
- staff for project work
- researchers
- staff for passports or consular duties
- IT staff
The duration of a non-ongoing vacancy may range from a week to several months. Positions that are available for a period of longer than 12 months are advertised and a competitive selection process is conducted in the same way as ongoing vacancies (see General Recruitment Information).
The department manages a temporary employment register. The majority of non-ongoing vacancies for less than 12 months duration are filled from this register. For information on how to register for non-ongoing employment please email your interest to dfat@candlerecruit.com.
The department’s State and Territory offices may also use alternative arrangements for the employment of non-ongoing staff. For information about short-term work with State and Territory offices please contact them directly.
To be eligible for non-ongoing employment you must meet the same requirements as you would for ongoing positions. For more details on this see our Eligibility page.
Terms and conditions of employment for non-ongoing staff are similar to those for ongoing staff and are covered by the Department’s Collective Agreement; see our Conditions of Service page for details.
Careers Home Page | Frequently Asked Questions | Graduate Recruitment