What does the Commission offer graduates?

Message from the Chair

Thanks for considering the Productivity Commission to kickstart your career.

As Australia’s leading policy research and advisory body, the Commission tackles critical issues, including mental health, housing, and how we can improve living standards for all Australians.

The Commission is a fun and intellectually curious environment where you can learn from everyone, including your fellow graduates and our fantastic team of commissioners.

So if this sounds like it’s for you, we take a cohort of graduates each year from different academic backgrounds, prioritising intellect, curiosity, and a passion for public policy and making a difference.

Continue reading to find out more and to apply.

Danielle Wood
Chair, Productivity Commission

The Commission offers

• The opportunity to work with highly experienced analysts on a range of key policy challenges facing Australia
• Interaction with industry, stakeholder groups, all levels of government and leading academics
• A competitive remuneration package, excellent promotion prospects and flexible working conditions
• An open, friendly and inclusive team‑based environment in an internationally recognised agency
• Opportunities to develop your skills through further study and training
• Assistance to new employees who move from interstate or overseas.

Ongoing career development

We understand how important skill development is in enhancing your analytical capacity and building the foundation for a successful career. Accordingly, you can expect to receive excellent and varied on-the-job training, as well as more formal opportunities to enhance your professional skills, including access to studies assistance, specialised training, seminars and workshops on a variety of topics.

We also support staff who want to continue studying while working with us.

Many staff have used this opportunity to undertake postgraduate studies, following completion of our graduate program.

Salaries and superannuation

The Commission offers a generous remuneration package to our graduates. The remuneration package for graduates commencing in 2025 will total $89,225(with a salary component of $77,318 plus 15.4% superannuation).

Ongoing support and on-the-job training will be provided, as well as more formal opportunities to enhance your professional skills. There are excellent opportunities for Graduates to advance within the Commission. In previous years, most graduates have progressed to the APS Level 5 classification in the first 12 months.