New research from the Australian Association of Graduate Employers (AAGE) shows graduate programs remain an important workforce development tool, with leading employers investing in structured development, mentoring, technical training and stronger career pathways.

Graduate programs continue to play a critical role in building Australia’s future workforce, with almost half of employers, 47 per cent, saying they recruit graduates as part of their strategic workforce planning.

The finding comes from The Future of Early Careers, a new report from the Australian Association of Graduate Employers (AAGE), developed with McCrindle and drawing on research from employers, candidates, graduates and interns.

Shanan Green, Chief Executive Officer of the AAGE, said the research confirms graduate programs are about much more than filling entry-level roles.

“Graduate programs are not simply recruitment programs. At their best, they are workforce development programs,” Ms Green said.

“They give employers the opportunity to identify and develop emerging talent, build the skills their organisations need and strengthen workforce capability over the long term.

“For graduates, they provide a supported entry into the workforce, with opportunities to develop skills, build relationships, gain exposure to different parts of an organisation and establish strong foundations for their career.”

The research shows that while the early careers industry is evolving, the fundamentals of successful graduate programs remain remarkably consistent.

The report found:

• 50 per cent of candidates say career progression is one of the three most important elements they look for in a graduate program.
• 41 per cent prioritise the quality of training and development, while 35 per cent value company culture.
• 86 per cent of the AAGE’s Top 15 Employer graduates rate their role-related technical training highly, compared with 58 per cent of graduates overall.
• 92 per cent of employers allocate graduates a buddy and 70 per cent provide a formal mentor.
• Half of employers are investing in training for graduate supervisors to better support career expectations.

Ms Green said the findings demonstrate that successful programs are built around more than attractive benefits or short-term incentives.

“Meaningful work with structured development, strong managers, mentorship and clear opportunities to progress continue to matter.” she said.

“What is changing is the environment around those fundamentals. Technology is reshaping roles and capability needs, graduates are entering the workforce with different expectations, and organisations themselves need to respond more quickly to changing workforce priorities.

“The opportunity for employers is not to move away from what works, but to apply those proven foundations with greater agility and intent.”

Half of candidates nominate career progression as one of the most important elements of a graduate program, highlighting an opportunity for employers to provide greater clarity around development and future career pathways.

Ms Green said this highlights the importance of creating early careers programs that work for both graduates and employers.

“Graduates want to understand where their career can take them, while employers need to build the skills and capability their organisations will require in the future.

“The strongest programs bring those two things together. They give emerging talent meaningful opportunities to learn, contribute and progress, while building a sustainable pipeline of capability for the organisation.

“The graduates entering organisations today will become Australia’s future specialists, innovators and leaders. Strong graduate programs are an investment not only in emerging talent, but the workforce Australia will rely on in the years ahead.”

The AAGE is the peak body representing the organisations and professionals that recruit, develop and inspire students, graduates and interns, directly representing more than 500 organisations across Australia’s private and public sectors.

The Future of Early Careers report is available at aage.com.au/The-Future-of-Early-Careers-Report-2026.