Graduate Program
A career that shapes the future: 2026 Graduate Program
The City of Adelaide is excited to offer the 2026 Graduate Program, providing a unique opportunity for graduates to kickstart their careers in one of Australia’s most vibrant cities.
This program is designed to offer real-world experience, professional development and a pathway into a rewarding career with the City of Adelaide.
As part of our commitment to diversity, inclusion and long-term workforce planning, we are looking for graduates who want to make a lasting impact on our city’s future.
Join us and make an impact in your capital city!
Program benefits
As part of a 24-month graduate program, you'll experience:
- Hands-on learning: Gain practical experience by working on real projects that make an impact on our city.
- Professional development: Take part in structured training, mentorship and regular check-ins.
- Impact: Play a role in shaping Adelaide’s future while growing professionally in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the 2026 Graduate Program, you must:
- Have either graduated within the last two years, or are expecting to complete the relevant degree within the next 6 months
- Be passionate about making a meaningful contribution to the City of Adelaide and eager to develop your skills in a dynamic, community-focused environment.
How to make your application stand out
Applying for graduate roles can feel exciting but also a little overwhelming. We know you’ve worked hard to get here, so we want to help you put your best foot forward.
To give you an edge, we’ve put together a “How to Stand Out in Your Application” guide – full of practical tips, insights from our team, and advice to help you showcase your skills, values, and potential.
Our Graduate Roles for 2026
We are offering graduate roles in the following areas:
- Graduate, Biodiversity: Embark on a rewarding graduate role where you'll lead hands-on biodiversity projects, advise stakeholders, support volunteers, and help drive innovative greening initiatives that enhance the city’s natural environment and community wellbeing.
- Graduate, Civil Engineer: Kickstart your engineering career by collaborating with experienced professionals to deliver impactful civil design projects, where you'll contribute ideas, solve challenges, and engage with diverse stakeholders to shape your community’s future.
- Graduate, Housing Policy, Projects & Research: Launch your career in urban planning and heritage conservation by shaping housing policy, supporting innovative reuse of buildings, and working alongside expert teams to preserve the city’s character while driving positive change for its future.
- Graduate, Policy, Planning & Projects (Targeted): Join a dynamic graduate role where you'll support research, policy, and project coordination to shape sustainable park lands, while actively advancing reconciliation by embedding cultural knowledge and fostering meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal communities for a more inclusive city.
- Please note: This is a targeted position. This means the opportunity is specifically intended for applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Targeted roles are designed to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation within our workforce and ensure that First Nations voices, perspectives, and cultural knowledge are meaningfully included in the work we do.
Program structure
The Graduate Program runs for 24 months and includes:
- Mentorship: You'll be partnered with a City of Adelaide leader who will provide guidance and support throughout your first year.
- Development: Approximately 40 hours of professional development over two years, and a collaborative group project with other graduates
- Regular check-in: You’ll have regular 1:1 conversation with your leader to ensure ongoing support, goal setting, wellbeing checks and guidance.
- Performance review: A six-monthly performance assessment process to ensure you have clear and defined goals established, to set you up for success.
Application process
To apply for the City of Adelaide 2026 Graduate Program, follow these steps:
- Submit an application: Complete the online application form, provide your CV, cover letter and any additional documentation required.
- Assessment & interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be notified in mid-late October 2025, with interviews commencing in late October 2025.
- Start date: Successful applicants will commence their roles in February 2026.
We continue to work hard to ensure our recruitment process is safe for people of diverse backgrounds. Our commitment to inclusivity means we welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disabilities, and candidates with a range of lived experiences.
FAQs
The 2026 Graduate Program aims to provide an exciting career path where you can make a real impact in your capital city.
It will help develop technical and professional skills through a balance of:
- On-the-job learning
- Structured development
- Experience on different projects
Your development could look like:
- Being connected with our 2024 and 2025 graduate cohorts
- Online learning
- In-person training
- Peer networking sessions
- Being paired with a senior leader in CoA to mentor you
- Contribute to a meaningful project with your peers
As an employee of City of Adelaide, you will have access to:
- Work which is designed to support our community and the people and businesses within, make a difference where you live!
- An induction program designed to connect you to our vision
- Employee recognition programs which value our employees and the work they do
- Opportunities to contribute to and shape the direction of our organisation and our capital city
- The chance to see your work come to life on your doorstep via festivals and events, parklands, and streetscapes.
- Study Assistance to support your educational journey
- Membership of Local Government Professionals SA, including access to professional networks and development programs
- Access to internal and external leadership development programs and pathways
- A diverse, multidisciplinary workplace with career opportunities catering to a broad range of interests and aspirations
- Ongoing opportunities for personal and team development
- A Capital City council with opportunity to collaborate, influence, and contribute at a local, State, and National level
- Events and activities to support and celebrate the diversity of our organisation
- Communication and connection activities to keep you up to date and connected with your peers
- An active social club to connect with your colleagues
- A range of flexible working arrangements to suit your unique circumstances
- Access to discounts on private health insurance and City of Adelaide business (including North Adelaide Golf Course, and Green Waste Services), and novated leasing
- An employee assistance and peer support program for extra support when you need it
- An established wellbeing program, including health checks, monthly promotions, and on-site gyms
- Safe spaces and leave arrangements to recognise the diverse needs of our people
- Secure bike storage