Temporary Employment Register

Are you looking to expand your career with a challenging, dynamic experience in Defence? We have roles that can heighten your personal profile and provide significant experience that will contribute towards your career path.

Defence is seeking highly motivated professionals to fill upcoming temporary (non-ongoing) roles. Defence’s mission is to defend Australia and its national interests. Defence APS employees are employed in a range of interesting roles across Australia. If you think you've got what it takes to work with a leading Government Agency, register your interest on our Temporary Employment Register.

We are seeking to build a register of people interested in temporary (non-ongoing) employment opportunities in various roles, levels and locations across Australia. We anticipate that a range of vacancies at the APS 1-6 Levels and Executive Levels 1-2 will become available over the next 12 months.

Roles may become available in a range of disciplines including:

• Accounting and Finance
• Administration and Customer Service
• Audit, Assurance and Fraud Control
• Engineering and Technical
• Health
• Human Resources
• Information and Communications Technology
• Information and Knowledge Management
• Infrastructure
• Intelligence
• Legal
• Logistics
• Media and Communication
• Procurement and Contracting
• Project and Program Management
• Science and Technology
• Security
• Specialist
• Strategic and International Policy
• Technical
• Trades and Labour

This register is intended for external candidates seeking temporary employment opportunities within Defence. Ongoing Defence APS employees seeking internal temporary employment opportunities or a permanent transfer at level are encouraged to view Expression of Interest (EOI) vacancies on the Defence Careers website.

Note: The temporary employment register may also be accessed by the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA), Australian Naval Nuclear Powered Safety Regulator (ANNPSR), Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), for temporary (non-ongoing) vacancies.

Registering your interest does not guarantee that Defence will offer you temporary employment. Suitable candidates may be contacted as employment opportunities arise.

Note: This register will close 20 December 2026. Applicants who wish to be considered for opportunities in 2027 must submit a new application when the new register opens early January 2027

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at minimum level of 'Baseline Vetting.' 

Employment as a non-ongoing APS employee can be for a:

• Specified term – Allows the engagement of a non-ongoing APS employee for an initial period of up to 18 months but can be extended up to a maximum period of three years (36 months). The employment will not be ongoing after this period. 
• Specified task – Allows the engagement of a non-ongoing APS employee for the duration of a specified task up to a maximum period of three years (36 months). The employment will not be ongoing after this period.