Where to find graduate jobs

When you start looking for your first professional job, the sheer number of places to search can be bewildering. Some roles are on large job boards, some only on an employer's own careers page, some through your university's portal and some are never advertised at all. Searching in only one place means missing most of what is out there.

This guide maps out the main places graduate and entry-level roles appear in Australia and offers practical tips for using each one well. It also covers networking and direct approaches, which can open doors to roles that never reach a job board.

General job boards

Large job boards carry thousands of listings across all industries, including many entry-level roles. They are a good starting point, especially for roles with small and medium employers that do not run formal graduate programs.

To use them well:

• Search beyond the word "graduate". Try "entry level", "junior", "assistant", "trainee", "associate" and the specific job titles used in your field.
• Set alerts. Save searches for your field and location so new listings arrive by email.
• Filter thoughtfully. Filter by location and work type, but don't over-filter; some suitable roles are poorly categorised.
• Read the whole listing. A role labelled "two years' experience" may still consider strong graduates, especially if your placements and part-time work are relevant.

Graduate-focused sites and employer pages

Some websites specialise in graduate programs and internships, listing opportunities from employers who hire graduates each year. These are useful for structured programs with fixed closing dates.

Large employers also advertise programs on their own careers pages, often with detailed information about eligibility, rotations and the recruitment timeline. If you have a list of target employers, check their sites directly and sign up for any alerts or talent communities they offer.

Your university or TAFE careers service

Most institutions run a careers service with its own job portal, where employers advertise roles specifically to students and recent graduates. These portals often include part-time jobs, internships and graduate roles that do not appear elsewhere, because the employer wants applicants from that institution.

Careers services also run employer presentations, careers fairs and networking events, and offer one-to-one appointments for résumé feedback and interview practice. Many continue to help graduates for some time after completion, so check what yours offers even if you have already finished.

Government jobs

Federal, state, territory and local governments employ large numbers of graduates in policy, administration, science, engineering, IT, health, law, finance and many other areas. Each level of government has its own jobs website, and many agencies run graduate programs or entry-level recruitment rounds. Local councils advertise on their own sites.

Government applications often ask you to address selection criteria or a set of capabilities. Read our guide on cover letters and selection criteria for help.

Professional associations and industry bodies

Many professions have associations that support students and early career members, sometimes with job boards, mentoring schemes, events and student memberships. If your field has a professional body, find out what it offers. Industry newsletters and specialist publications can also list roles and help you understand which employers are growing.

Recruitment agencies

In some fields, such as accounting, IT and administration, recruitment agencies fill many entry-level positions. Agencies are usually paid by the employer, so a legitimate agency should not charge you a fee to find you work. Research any agency before you share personal documents, and check that the roles they discuss are real.

The hidden job market

Not every job is advertised. Some roles are filled through referrals from existing staff, placements that turn into paid work, internal moves or direct approaches from candidates. This is often called the hidden job market. You can reach it in several ways.

Networking

Networking simply means building genuine professional relationships. For graduates, that might include:

• staying in touch with placement supervisors, lecturers and part-time managers;
• attending careers fairs, industry events and professional association meetups;
• joining student societies related to your field;
• connecting with alumni from your course;
• asking for short informational conversations with people doing jobs that interest you.

An informational conversation is not asking for a job. It is asking someone about their work, their path and their advice. People are often happy to help when asked politely and when you respect their time. Prepare a few questions, keep it short and say thank you.

Direct approaches

You can also contact employers you would like to work for, even if they are not advertising. Keep the message short and specific: who you are, why you are interested in that organisation, what you could contribute and a request for a brief conversation or to be considered for future roles. Attach a tailored résumé. Not everyone will reply, but some will.

Placements and part-time work

Student placements, internships and part-time jobs during study can lead directly to graduate roles. Employers often prefer to hire someone they already know is reliable. Treat every placement as an extended interview, and let your supervisor know you are interested in future opportunities.

Professional networking profiles

Many employers and recruiters look at online professional profiles. A complete, up-to-date profile with a clear headline, a short summary, your education, experience, skills and a professional photo can help people find you. Keep it consistent with your résumé, and check your privacy settings on personal social media accounts.

Search safely

Job seekers are frequent targets for scams. Scamwatch warns about fake recruiters who make unexpected contact through text messages or messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram, jobs that offer high pay for little work and any role that requires you to pay money first. Verify employers independently using contact details you find yourself. Our job scams guide has more detail.

Organise your search

A job search spread across many channels needs a little organisation. Keep a simple spreadsheet listing each role, the employer, where you found it, the closing date, the date you applied, any contacts and the next step. It stops opportunities slipping through the cracks and helps you follow up at the right time. Use our deadline planner on the home page for roles with fixed closing dates.

Following up on applications

If a listing gives a contact person and the closing date has passed without news, a short, polite email asking about the timeline is fine. Keep it brief and friendly. Use the response, or lack of one, to plan your next steps rather than waiting on a single application.

Don't overlook regional opportunities

Regional and rural employers often recruit graduates too, sometimes with less competition and broader responsibilities early on. If you're open to relocating, widen your location filters.

Key points

• Search across job boards, employer sites, careers portals, government sites and associations.
• Use varied search terms, not just "graduate", and set alerts.
• Build genuine relationships to reach roles that are never advertised.
• Legitimate recruiters and agencies do not charge job seekers fees.
• Track every application so nothing slips through the cracks.