The department offers employment through traineeships and graduate positions.

Traineeships

Traineeships provide structured learning and paid employment to achieve a nationally recognised qualification at the certificate III level or above. You can complete a traineeship in 1 to 2 years.

Traineeship positions may be full time or part time.

Trainees are paid according to the entry-level salary of the position.

Roles available

Traineeships are offered across the department in schools, preschools and corporate office in a range of vocations, such as:

• information technology
• office administration
• sport and recreation
• horticulture
• childcare
• education support.

Traineeship eligibility

Eligible candidates for a traineeship are:

• aged 17 and older
• a South Australia resident
• an Australian citizen, permanent resident or have an appropriate work visa.

Previous employees who have recently accepted a Targeted Voluntary Separation Package are not eligible to apply.

Eligible applicants must:

• undertake Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care (RRHAN-EC) child protection training
• be able to gain a Department of Human Services (DHS) child-related employment screening before being employed.
• undertake vocational qualification training requirements
• undertake training and professional development activities as per the contract of training and training plan
• meet all other employment and participation conditions including travelling independently to and from the workplace, training sites and other sites as determined
• adhere to the Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector.

School-based traineeships (Skilling SA)

'Skilling South Australia' is a state government initiative helping young people develop skills and build meaningful pathways to meet the workforce needs of industry. As part of this, the Department for Education will create paid school-based traineeship places for senior high school students.   

Senior school students are encouraged to apply.

Visit school-based traineeships (Skilling SA) for more information.  

Graduate employment opportunities

Graduate employment is for people who have completed a university qualification within the last 3 years. Or final-year uni students who will have completed their studies before the employment starts.

Roles available

There are a number of graduate roles available across the department, such as:

• care support worker
• support worker
• finance officer
• information technology officer
• laboratory assistant
• HR administrative officer.

Graduate eligibility

Eligible candidates for a graduate program are:

• final-year students who will have completed their studies before they start employment, or someone who has attained a university qualification within the last 3 years
• a South Australian resident
• an Australian citizen, permanent resident or have an appropriate work visa
• have completed a qualification as per the requirement of the agency graduate program, which will specify the relevant discipline and whether post-graduate qualifications are considered.

Previous employees who have recently accepted a Targeted Voluntary Separation Package are not eligible to apply.

Eligible applicants must:

• undertake Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care (RRHAN-EC) child protection training
• be able to gain a Department of Human Services (DHS) child-related employment screening before being employed.
• undertake vocational qualification training requirements
• undertake training and professional development activities as per the contract of training and training plan
• meet all other employment and participation conditions including travelling independently to and from the workplace, training sites and other sites as determined
• adhere to the Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector.

Apply for a traineeship or graduate position 

Available traineeship and graduate positions are advertised on I Work for SA.