Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Exchange Tower Sherwoord Court (off St Georges Terrace) - Level 25 Perth WA 6000
gradrec@dfat.gov.au | (02) 6261 9811
https://www.dfat.gov.au
International Law, Trade and Development Policy Advice
What is the main focus of the organisation? The department works to make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous, to provide timely and responsive consular and passport services, and to ensure a secure Australian Government presence overseas. The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Government. We work with other government agencies to ensure that Australia’s pursuit of its global, regional and bilateral interests is coordinated effectively. DFAT is the lead agency managing Australia’s international presence. We manage a network of 121 overseas posts in five continents and have 6,078 staff located in Canberra, state and territory offices and overseas posts. Our officers are highly skilled at their work which includes; developing and implementing foreign, trade and development policy, negotiating international agreements, delivering an effective aid program, and providing high quality consular assistance. This business is often conducted in one of the 171
31 foreign languages in which DFAT staff are proficient. What kind of work do employees at the organisation do? Working at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is more than just a job. It is a career that can provide you with the opportunity to do the kind of work that adds up to something meaningful. Whether we are promoting international trade and investment, helping in crises overseas, assisting Australian travellers, reducing poverty and supporting growth, we all share a common goal of advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. What is an interesting piece of work that the organisation has recently engaged in? As part of Bushfire Recovery, DFAT sent products from a range of Australian small businesses impacted by last summer’s bushfires to Australian Embassies and High Commissions around the world. Using our global diplomatic network, we were able to showcase the talents of Australian small businesses like Highfield Farm and Woodland in Mt Adrah (NSW)
and Disaster Bay Chillies in Eden (NSW) on an international stage. Through DFAT’s AustraliaIndia Council grants program, Australian and Indian researchers shared knowledge and expertise in 3D printing and bioprinting to drive the development of a 3D printing solution that will generate new ears for patients using their own stem cells. DFAT’s Australia-India Council establishes innovative, dynamic and sustainable links between Australia and India, opening up opportunities for collaboration in areas that are beneficial to both of our countries. How does the organisation seek its employees? We advertise vacancies at different times, according to operational requirements to fill particular roles. All our vacancies are advertised on the careers pages of the DFAT website (https://dfat.gov.au/ careers/Pages/careers.aspx). If you are interested in keeping track of future vacancies, you can visit our website and register to receive notifications of vacancies as they are advertised, by using the job
