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AAGE Annual Candidate Survey

Overview

This annual survey gathers comprehensive feedback from candidates spanning a range of organisations across industries in Australia. It is unique as all respondents have taken part in a recruitment process and have received at least one job offer from a participating employer.

For industry professionals, this research serves as an indispensable resource, offering a robust and independent data set that empowers employers to benchmark their recruitment and selection experiences, and provides strategic insights for enhancing future graduate recruitment efforts.

For 19 consecutive years, the AAGE Candidate Survey has been highlighting key trends and insights within the early careers sector.

2026 Candidate Survey

The 2026 Candidate Survey is based on research conducted by the AAGE with over 2,200 responses from candidates joining 100 different organisations in 2026.

The AAGE Candidate Survey provides insights into the motivations and perceptions of, and experience with, the 2026 graduate campaign including:

  • Factors which influence application and offer acceptance decisions
  • Experience through the recruitment and selection process
  • The use of artificial intelligence in recruitment and selection processes
  • Discernment around offer acceptance and the reasons why candidates renege
  • An understanding of ideal working arrangements.

Pricing

  • AAGE Participating Member: FREE (member participants are automatically sent a copy of the report)
  • AAGE Member: $330 + GST
  • AAGE Member (Not-For-Profit): $220 + GST
  • Participating Non-Member: $550 + GST
  • Standard Rate (Non-Member): $660 + GST

Each organisation ordering the report will be sent a soft copy (PDF) along with a set of PowerPoint slides, showing all the charts from the summary report.

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Why is it useful?

Employers use the survey results to understand candidates’ perspectives on their job search, the recruitment and selection process and decision making to enable program benchmarking and review.

When does it happen?

Data collection for the Candidate Survey takes place between July and October. Participation is free and all employer members are encouraged to participate. A summary report highlighting key trends emerging from the data is released once the analysis is completed.

Participating Employers

A

Ability Action Australia/MedHealth, Alinta Energy, AMP, Arcadis, Arup, Ashurst, Atlassian, AusNet, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian National Audit Office, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, Australian Public Service Commission, Australian Securities & Investments Commission, Australian Submarine Agency, Australian Taxation Office

B

Babcock, Baker McKenzie, Bankwest, BDO

C

Capgemini, Clayton Utz, Coles, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, CSL

D

Deloitte, Department of Defence, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (VIC), Department of Finance, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Housing and Works (WA), Department of Human Services (SA), Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (VIC), Department of Social Services, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Department of the Treasury, Department of Transport and Planning (VIC), Department of Veterans' Affairs

E

Elders, Energy Queensland, Essential Energy, Evolution Mining, EY

F

Future Leaders Graduate Program (Qld Government)

G

GHD, Glencore Australia, Grant Thornton

H

Hall & Wilcox, Heidelberg Materials Australia

I

IMC Trading

J

Jetstar Airways

K

Kapitol Group, King & Wood Mallesons, Kmart

L

Leidos, Lendlease, Linfox

M

Mineral Resources, Monadelphous, MYOB

N

NAB, National Indigenous Australians Agency, Nestle Australia, NSW Department of Communities and Justice, NSW Department of Education, NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, NSW Premier’s Department, NTI

P

Perks, Pitcher Partners, Powercor

Q

Qantas, QBE Insurance, Quantium, Queensland Treasury

R

Rabobank, Ramsay Health Care

S

SA Power Networks, Scyne, SEEK, Services Australia, Suburban Rail Loop Authority, Suncorp, SW Accountants & Advisors

T

TasWater, Telstra, Thoughtworks Australia, Tourism Australia, Transgrid, Transport for NSW

U

Urban Utilities, Urbis

V

Victorian Government Graduate Program

W

Water Corporation, Westpac Group, White & Case

Email: info@aage.com.au
Phone: +61 3 9352 5062
Address:
PO Box 1217
Camberwell VIC 3124 Australia

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