Shape your tomorrow with meaningful challenges and rewarding experiences!
Become a graduate for the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet.
What we do
The Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet (CMC) is the Northern Territory Government’s lead agency, providing strategic advice and driving policy initiatives to support the Chief Minister, Cabinet, and government stakeholders.
We help the government make informed decisions and address current and future challenges affecting the Territory, including those in regional and remote communities.
As the first minister’s department, CMC leads whole-of-government policy agendas, fostering collaboration, coordination, and implementation across multiple agencies.
For more information, visit the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet website
Program benefits
Our 12-month graduate program provides firsthand exposure to policy design and implementation while allowing graduates to develop a strong understanding of each unit’s functions.
As part of our team, graduates play an important role in supporting the delivery of government priorities and gaining experience across a range of business units.
Graduates benefit from:
- hands-on experience working in a dynamic government environment
- the opportunity to contribute to whole-of-government policy agendas and national reforms
- training and development to build strategic, analytical, and leadership skills
- exposure to high-level government decision-making and policy implementation
- a collaborative and supportive workplace that fosters professional growth.
This program offers a unique opportunity to develop expertise in governance and public administration while making a meaningful impact on the Northern Territory.
- Drive the Territory's participation in national forums.
- Coordinate the Territory's performance in national reporting frameworks.
- Coordinate the NT's involvement in international treaties and free trade agreements (FTAs).
- Provide strategic advice and develop policies aligned with the national agreement on Closing the Gap.
- Influence how the government engages and partners with Aboriginal people and communities.
- Empower Aboriginal people to have a stronger voice through shared decision-making.
- Drive whole-of-government engagement with the NGO sector to strengthen sector capacity and sustainability.
- Work with government agencies, local councils, industry, Aboriginal organisations and Traditional Owners on a range of strategic priorities:
- Priority Delivery
- Economic Development
- Support government
- Emergency Recovery
- Provide protocol advice and manage events:
- annual coordination of ministerial hosted events
- official visits for foreign diplomatic and consular corps
- flags and emblems
- state funerals and memorials
- retention of title the Honourable
- Provide services, advice and information relating to:
- Cabinet
- Executive Council
- Northern Territory Remuneration Tribunal
- NT government boards and committees.
- Advise on finance systems, procurements, grants, credit cards and fringe benefit tax implications for official government travel.
- Review and ensure quality of financial information in Cabinet submissions.
- Advise on accounting, budget expenditure, ledger and financial management issues.
- Provide proactive and reactive media services to support client needs.
- Coordinate whole-of-government advertising and media monitoring services.
- Manage and lead during emergency events, ensuring a coordinated whole-of-government response across all hazards and through all phases of response and recovery.
- Maintain the NT government’s social media presence.
- Oversee website development.
- Provide legislation drafting services to the NTG and to non-government members of the Legislative Assembly.
- Give advice on legislative proposals and matters relating to the legislative process.
- Manage repairs, maintenance and minor new works.
- Implement the agency’s workforce strategy and plan.
- Promote and coordinate mental health, wellbeing, and inclusion and diversity initiatives.
- Support governance, reporting and monitoring of workforce activities.
- Identify and manage strategic and operational risks.
- Develop and support strategic planning and business management reporting frameworks.
- Coordinate audit and review programs.
- Partner with government and non-government organisations to improve emergency management arrangements and build disaster resilience in the Territory.
- Implement nationally agreed emergency management initiatives.
- Collaborate with the Australian Government and interjurisdictional partners to enhance national recovery capabilities and build resilience to disasters and emergencies.
- Coordinate the NT's recovery capabilities and community resilience from emergencies and disasters.
Moving to the NT for the program?
Start your new chapter with confidence and find out what to expect in the Territory.
Meet some of our previous graduates
Our graduate experience
The graduate program helped me find my place in policy and public service.
Policy Support Officer, Office of Aboriginal Affairs
The Graduate Program has allowed endless opportunities.
Graduate Trainee, Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet Graduates program 2023
Working for government allows me to make a direct impact on the community.
Project Officer, Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet
I have found many great friends in the public service and across the Territory.
Policy Officer & former NTG Graduate
"Working in the Territory is so different to other places."
Graduate, Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet Graduates program 2025