Frequently asked questions

Unfortunately, we aren’t able to defer offers however we strongly encourage you to reapply if you are unable to accept your offer to start in February.

We offer in-person and virtual assessment centres to give you flexibility depending on your location and situation. Candidates based in Southeast Queensland are invited to attend an in-person session held in Brisbane City.

Candidates based in regional Queensland, interstate, overseas, or who are travelling during the assessment period are invited to attend virtually – unless of course you would like to visit us in person!

If you need to withdraw your application, please withdraw your application in the Cappfinity candidate hub or email the graduate team at futureleadersgraduaterecruitment@premiers.qld.gov.au.

We actively ask for your feedback throughout the recruitment process, however you can also provide feedback  to us at any stage by emailing: futureleadersgraduaterecruitment@premiers.qld.gov.au.

Our recruitment process is designed to give every candidate the best opportunity to showcase their strengths, skills and potential. At each stage of our recruitment process we will ask if you require any adjustments, regardless of which pathway you have applied through.

Reasonable adjustments are modifications made to a process that remove barriers for candidates who identify as neurodivergent and candidates living with disability. You may also request an adjustment if you have personal circumstances that are likely to substantially impact your ability to complete the online assessment. This could include (but is not limited to) limited or no regular access to the internet or technology.

Requesting adjustments will not affect your application or selection. Instead, it allows us the opportunity to connect with you to ensure we provide the support you need to succeed.

Please contact the graduate team at futureleadersgraduaterecruitment@premiers.qld.gov.au to discuss.

There are three pathway options to apply to Future Leaders: our open pathway, First Nations pathway and disability pathway.

The open pathway is for all candidates who meet our eligibility requirements. Find out more about our open pathway here.

Our First Nations pathway is designed to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates the best opportunity to showcase their strengths. Find out more about our First Nations pathway here.

Our disability pathway is designed to give candidates who live with disability or neurodivergence the best opportunity to showcase their strengths. Find out more about our disability pathway here.

Unsure which pathway is best for you? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at futureleadersgraduaterecruitment@premiers.qld.gov.au to discuss.

No prior experience is necessary to apply for the program. We are seeking graduates from all backgrounds, including those with and without prior work experience.

Our assessments, including interview questions are designed so that all candidates can best demonstrate suitability by drawing on all aspects of their life including university, volunteering and sport.

Yes, as long as you have completed your qualification as per the eligibility requirements.

Yes, as long as you have completed your qualification as per the eligibility requirements.

If your most recent qualification is from an overseas university, you will need to have it assessed and recognised to be eligible to apply. Include the recognition of your overseas qualification with your online application, or if you have already submitted your application email us directly at futureleadersgraduaterecruitment@premiers.qld.gov.au.

The program accepts 100 graduates annually.

Graduates are employed at the AO3/1Q classification level, which is currently a salary of $77,354 to $85,833 per annum (as at 2026), plus a recognition of accredited qualification allowance ($47.70 per fortnight), 12.75% superannuation employer contribution and 17.5% leave loading on 20 days recreation leave per year.

Future Leaders is open to all disciplines and offers a diverse program with opportunities to explore roles across the sector in a range of areas including:

• Corporate governance, audit and risk
• Finance
• Grants and contract management
• Human resources
• Procurement
• Project management
• Public administration
• Public policy development
• Research, insights and analytics
• Strategic communications and media

You will work across three different Queensland Government departments over the two years and can choose to specialise in one area (e.g. three finance placements) or experience a variety of areas (e.g. public policy development for your first placement, human resources for your second, strategic communications for your third).

Your program experience will be as unique as your skills, interests and career aspirations! Find out more about what you’ll experience on the program on our website.

Each rotation aims to offer you an opportunity to explore a different department and broaden your skill set, networks and experience.

We will work closely with you through a rotation preferencing process taking into consideration your career goals, study background and preferences to determine your placement team for each rotation.

The program is designed with an extensive graduate support network, including:

• the Future Leaders Graduate team
• your supervisor and colleagues at each of your three rotations
• a graduate buddy who can talk through what to expect before you start the program
• a mentor as part of our formal mentoring program
• free, professional, confidential support including counselling from our Employee Assistance Provider

You are also supported with an extensive learning and development program throughout your first year, including a five-day induction in your first week to set you up for success. These sessions are also an opportunity to make connections with your cohort, so you can support each other as you share your program experience.

Relocating is a big step and can feel daunting. That’s why we offer an information session prior to commencement and ensure interstate graduates can connect with others who are relocating – building your support network early.

Please note we are unable to provide financial assistance for relocation.

While the program offers a two-year temporary opportunity, our graduates have a proven track record of career advancement and long-term employment within the Queensland Government.

We actively support graduates with this, through career development sessions, career guidance, networking opportunities and sharing of job vacancies.

Regional positions provide graduates based in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, and Toowoomba an opportunity to be a part of the program without needing to relocate to Brisbane.

As well as the support all graduates can expect on the program outlined above, we ensure regional graduates have opportunities to connect in person with their cohort, and are flown to Brisbane for key face to face program activities.