ABOUT THE ROLE

The National Archives’ Digital Archiving Cadet Program is an opportunity to continue professional study while getting hands-on experience in the management of digital records that define Australia’s past, and shape its future.

THE DIGITAL ARCHIVING CADET (AFFIRMATIVE MEASURE - ABORIGINAL AND/OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER) ROLE IS OPEN TO APPLICANTS OF ABORIGINAL AND/OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER HERITAGE ONLY.

While working part-time (equivalent of 3 days a week) at National Archives, the Digital Archiving Graduate Cadet will be supported to complete the Graduate Certificate in Digital Archiving from Charles Sturt University. Learning will be completed remotely with a 50% loading (2 subjects per semester, over two semesters). All course fees will be fully covered by the National Archives as part of the cadetship program. The study component of the cadetship is online and is to be completed outside of working hours at the National Archives.
The successful cadet will undertake three rotations during the eleven-month program, primarily in the Collection Management, and Access and Public Engagement branches. During the rotations, the successful cadet will build practical skills and experience in a range of roles, with an emphasis on digital archiving. At the successful completion of the cadetship, a full-time, ongoing role will be offered to the cadet at APS4 level.

ACTIVITIES OF THE ROLE

Tasks will vary from cadet to cadet, dependent on rotations, and may include (but not limited to) the following:

• Arranging and describing archival collections
• Responding to client queries
• Assisting with public seminars
• Research in different aspects of recordkeeping and archival management
• Preservation of collection items
• Transfer of archival records
• Digitisation of collection items.

Preference will be given to applicants who are able to work in Canberra, but requests to be based in Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne or Sydney will be considered. Relocation assistance may be provided on a case-by-case basis.
If successful in making it to individual interviews, these will be held online in the week beginning 6 October 2025 (tentative).
Employment in the graduate cadet role will be from 2 February 2026. The Graduate Certificate Session 1 program begins on 2 March 2026.