Career entry pathways

We have a number of pathways into a career at the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development. We regularly advertise entry level opportunities (classified as PO2 and AO3) throughout the year on the Queensland Government Smart Jobs and Careers page, and we offer graduate roles and cadetships, as well as work experience for students and volunteering opportunities.

Work experience

Work Integrated Learning

Our Work Integrated Learning (WIL) unpaid program is aimed at providing university students with the opportunity to develop their skills and learning through a combination of academic and work-related activities—by working on a real work project or issue.

The program is structured to benefit government, industry and students. The department has ongoing partnerships with several universities across Queensland.

Short-term placements

Students are able to work either full-time (5 days) or part-time (1-3 days) per week for the designated hours assigned by the university (normally a duration of 10 to 14 weeks—or 30 to 60 hours). The student is integrated within the team and is exposed to all aspects of a professional work environment, with the intention that they learn the workday routine while developing business knowledge and experience.

Students will need to have the support of their university to be included in the program.

Long-term case study or capstone partnerships

Student teams are assigned a project or problem and collaborate with our department to deliver an outcome. The students often work in small teams and complete their placement externally over a 6 to 10-month period. The students do not work on-site, instead the placement intends to mimic a partnership/client relationship. Capstone projects usually align with the university semester.

Applying for work experience and work-Integrated learning projects

We promote projects year-round semester-wise through your university’s career hubs, where they are also shared by your careers team or faculty. To be considered, please submit your application via your university’s career hub channels using the correct project reference number.

High school students

Work experience arrangements are limited to students only. A student means an individual who is at least 14 years old and is enrolled in an educational establishment (i.e. a school, registered training organisation etc).

Students can undertake unpaid work experience placements (non-project based) for a maximum period of 30 days per calendar year.

Contact

If you need more information, please email our friendly team at Career.Entry@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au

Last updated

22 July 2026

Last reviewed

21 February 2023