Who we want

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) operates in a complex and dynamic international environment. In our employees, we value:

• responsiveness to the Government we serve, and to a wide range of other clients, such as parliament, business and individual members of the Australian public
• knowledge of the international environment and issues relevant to the promotion and protection of Australia's national interests
• the capacity to operate with sensitivity in many distinct cultural environments, while projecting clearly and confidently our Australian identity
• vigilance in the protection of sensitive information handled in the department, both in Australia and overseas
• high standards of ethical and personal conduct, especially overseas where, in representing Australia, officers have a real impact on our international reputation
• contemporary management approaches, encompassing best practice, family friendly policies, continuous improvement, performance evaluation, strict accountability and a strong commitment to training and development, and
• personal and corporate flexibility, versatility and adaptability, all of which are necessary in a portfolio characterised by a uniquely diverse agenda and an often demanding and unpredictable environment.

We are looking for officers with a range of experiences and skills, from diverse backgrounds.

During your DFAT career you will have the opportunity to apply to work in a variety of roles and in different work areas and locations in Australia and overseas. These roles may suit your existing skills and expertise or they may challenge you to develop new ones.
Throughout your career you will be involved in interesting and fulfilling work, some of which may include:

• developing and implementing foreign, international development or trade policy, including country or region political and economic analysis
• providing advice to the Australian Government, in particular the department's portfolio ministers, about international strategic, political, development, economic and trade issues, or treaties and other international legal matters
• providing advice or services to the department's clients, such as the Australian public, other areas of the Australian Public Service and foreign governments
• managing Australia's development cooperation program, including designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating aid investments
• liaising and negotiating on behalf of the department and representing the department or the Government at meetings, conferences or seminars
• providing media liaison and public affairs support, including contributing to the enhancement of Australia's image overseas
• providing corporate services such as financial management, human resource management and property management, or administrative support
• delivering passports and consular services to Australians
• managing security of the department's information, staff and property.

Roles requiring specific qualifications

At DFAT, we also have also roles where you can use and develop your specialised qualifications and experience. These include

• legal
• media and communications
• finance
• IT
• data

Opportunities for roles that require specific qualifications are advertised on our Current Opportunities page.

Overseas service

As a DFAT officer, you can apply for overseas postings, which are usually for a period of three years. Working overseas can be one of the most interesting and challenging parts of a generalist employee's career. Overseas service provides unique professional and personal opportunities. Employees are not required to go on postings.