Updating Results

Queensland Audit Office

4.4
  • 100 - 500 employees

Queensland Audit Office Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Government & Public Service

About QAO

QAO’s vision is for better public services for all Queenslanders. The work we do is important, and it makes a difference to people’s lives. 

In our graduate program, you’ll build a solid foundation for a rewarding and versatile career, while making a meaningful difference. Your work will contribute to helping improve the public services you, your family and friends, and the wider community rely on – from hospital services, to drinking water, universities, and more.

As parliament’s independent auditor, we provide valued assurance and insights across Queensland’s public sector and local government entities. Our work is unique. We work across the entire state, which allows us to glean insights into how entities and sectors are performing and provide recommendations for improvement that no other organisation can. 

Our entire team, from our graduates to our more senior leaders, works across our business. This means you'll be exposed to valuable engagement opportunities with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders that can help you become a well-rounded, sought-after professional. 

Are you ready to make a difference that can help improve people’s lives?

Why join us?

The foundation you build with us can take you anywhere you want to go. 

You’ll be a permanent staff member from your first day and we’ll support you with everything you need to achieve your career goals. 

We provide: 

  • comprehensive technical and non-technical training
  • hands-on learning experiences
  • support to achieve your professional accreditation
  • a dedicated mentor
  • a focus on work–life balance.

QAO is committed to creating a values-driven, high-performing team where everyone is encouraged to thrive and form enduring connections. 

We’ll help you offset naturally busier periods (such as the end of the audit year) with quieter periods and leave. And we set aside days to connect in person, build team relationships, have development conversations, and socialise as a wider QAO team. 

Our team is collaborative, friendly, and diverse, and we value our collective experiences and knowledge. We actively support each other to achieve our individual and shared goals – so we all grow both personally and professionally.

What will I do in the graduate program?

Our undergraduate and graduate auditors help to deliver a range of interesting financial, assurance, and information systems services audits. 

There are plenty of opportunities to try new things, explore your passions, expand your knowledge, and grow your skills. You will:

  • obtain a deep understanding of government service delivery 
  • work on a variety of portfolios, government sectors, and clients
  • rotate internally through different teams as a permanent QAO staff member
  • grow your skills and knowledge 
  • meet and become part of the wider QAO community
  • help us deliver on our vision for Queensland. 

After the 12-month graduate program, you’ll progress directly into a higher-level role with us. For graduate auditors, this means progressing directly to auditor level. For undergraduates, this means moving into the full-time graduate program as a Graduate Auditor once you finish university.

Recruitment Process

QAO looks for people who want to work in an organisation with a professional, client-services, and team-oriented culture.

We have designed our recruitment process to be thorough and fair to every candidate. 

How do I apply?

Have a look at the roles open for applications, their position descriptions and eligibility, and the key dates on our website before you apply.

  • To apply for a graduate position in our 2026 program, you must be graduating from university in or before December 2025 (this means you’re currently in your final year at university), or have graduated within the 2 years prior to starting with us. 
  • To apply for an undergraduate position in our 2026 program, you should be graduating from university in 2026 (this means you’re currently in your second year at university). 

The first step is to submit your online application by the closing date. 

You will need to:

  • apply online via GradSift and create your profile. You will be prompted to add our Program Code, which is 17115466 
  • upload your current resume, including contact details of 2 referees who have supervised you within the past 2 years (for example, this might be at work, university, or volunteer work)
  • upload your academic transcript and any other tertiary qualifications you hold
  • create a 60 to 90-second video to introduce yourself. The video is a short introduction about yourself, what you've studied, one or 2 key achievements, what strengths you bring to the role, and why you'd like a career with us. 

We want to know who you are. We value diversity and we’re interested in your experiences, skills, ideas, and passions. 

Make sure to include all your work experience in your application, regardless of whether it’s related to your area of study or the role you’re applying for. Also include any community or voluntary work experience you have done.

What happens next? 

Once applications close, we move through the following stages:

  • Application screening: we’ll do a quick check that you are eligible based on the role requirements in the position description.
  • Psychometric testing: we’ll ask you to complete a couple of online cognitive ability assessments to measure verbal and numerical reasoning.
  • Assessment centre: we’ll invite you to our office in Brisbane to take a look around, meet some of our great staff, and participate in fun activities.
  • Interview: the final selection round is a 30-minute interview. We’ll also answer any questions you have.
  • Employment reference checks and background checking: once we’ve finished interviews, we’ll contact your referees and conduct a background check. Please make sure you provide the name and contact details of a current or recent supervisor for any work experience you’ve had, either in the field or in your part-time job, on your resume.
  • Offers made: our favourite stage! We can’t wait to make our offers and welcome our next cohort of graduates to our team.

For more information on the key dates for applications and the graduate program, please click the icon above to visit our website.

Remuneration & Career Growth

Innovation, teamwork, and relationships are at the heart of QAO and the work we do. 

Our staff work flexibly across the business – from graduate auditors to more experienced leaders. This helps ensure everyone is well-rounded and we share knowledge, skills, and ideas.

The variety of experiences and opportunities at QAO are second to none. Our clients are diverse and located right across the state. They range from large entities, such as Queensland Treasury Corporation and Energy Queensland Limited, to small councils in Cape York and the Gulf of Carpentaria. 

On any given day, our graduate and undergraduate auditors could be:

  • working on complex and technical audits of government-owned corporations 
  • contributing to performance audits on a wide range of issues
  • sharing insights through information systems audits
  • travelling throughout Queensland
  • and more!

A key part of your first year is professional development. We’ll offer you training, support, and learning opportunities every step of the way, and you’ll learn and apply a broad range of skills. 

Where could QAO take you?

Joining QAO as a graduate or undergraduate is the first step toward a rewarding career that can take you places. 

Many of our past graduates have built successful careers in Australia and overseas, including as QAO auditors-general and assistant auditors-general, chief executive officers and chief financial officers in large public and private sector entities, board members, directors, business owners, partners, and more.

The diverse work and experiences you’ll be exposed to across our business will set you up for career success. 

Other benefits

  • Brisbane-based role, with flexible work arrangements including a hybrid working environment 
  • A focus on supporting work–life balance and a 36.25 hour work week
  • Financial assistance, time, and support to complete a professional designation, such as CPA and CA ANZ
  • Access to further study assistance and professional development programs, including leave for study
  • Direct transition from an undergraduate to a graduate position once you complete university and your first year in the graduate program
  • Progress directly from a graduate position to a higher-level role after completing the graduate program
  • Travel throughout Queensland with your colleagues when performing client visits
  • Tools and technology to enable you to work remotely, and an attractive and comfortable head office fit-out
  • Planned days where all staff come together to connect in person, strengthen our relationships, and discuss any updates or important information
  • An active social club that organises events throughout the year, where you can get to know your peers at events such as trivia nights, lunches, and an annual formal dinner.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.4
Overall score based on 21 reviews
They Score Best in…
9.3
Culture
9.0
Diversity
8.8
Management
9.5
Work Hours
What Graduates Say About Them
  • The variety of work and knowledgeable colleagues around you. The social club is a great aspect also!
  • The work that the office does is very important for the state. It is reassuring to know that my role has some purpose in contributing to the greater good.
  • The best thing about working at QAO is its people. They are some of the most talented, helpful, supportive and friendly co-workers I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Secondly is the variety of work and clients that QAO audits. No 2 days are really alike.
  • Being able to complete meaningful work and contribute to better public services in Queensland. The opportunities to learn and grow with supportive teams.
  • Managers and coworkers are transparent with and reasonable regarding, their expectations of myself and my work. In addition, coworkers are very helpful and very understanding.
  • I don't really have anything negative to say. If I had one gripe it would be that it is time to replace the coffee machines.
  • The work completed on government audits is confidential, and therefore you cannot discuss the exciting and interesting areas of your job with friends or family.
  • Sets the bar too high for other workplaces.
  • Can't think of anything.
  • Lots of last-minute changes, more than necessary potentially.

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Brisbane
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
B
Business & Management
E
Engineering & Mathematics
H
Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences
I
IT & Computer Science
Current Jobs & Opportunities

Opening in 1 week

Graduate Job or Program

Queensland
QAO's graduate program provides formal and hands-on training, regular professional development, mentoring, and varied work experiences.
Salary
AUD 75,205 / Year

Plus 12.75 per cent superannuation and leave loading benefits

Opening in 1 week

Graduate Job or Program

Brisbane
Salary
AUD 63,300 - 75,205 / Year

Plus 12.75 per cent superannuation and leave loading benefits. Undergraduate role is pro-rata.


Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories

Jescy Xu

Graduate IS Auditor at Queensland Audit Office

Bachelor of Commerce at The University of Queensland (UQ)

A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Amie Coleman

Graduate Auditor at Queensland Audit Office

Bachelor of Accounting


Videos


A chat with Allan Diano

Allan explains what it's like to work at QAO and what he enjoys most about his role.

See how you can build your career with us

Find out what it's like to work at QAO in this snapshot.