How to Apply to Reserve Bank of Australia

8 min read Last updated April 20, 2026 79 open positions
Blake Crosley
Blake Crosley Researched using publicly available information, hiring data, and ATS analysis.

Key Takeaways

  • The RBA uses Workday as its applicant tracking system. All applications must be submitted online through rba.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com, and you cannot update your resume after submission for a specific role.
  • Applications must be submitted before the advertised closing date and time. Late applications cannot be processed through the online system and may not be accepted.
  • The RBA offers exceptionally generous benefits including 15.4% superannuation (well above the legislated minimum), a health benefit allowance, 18 weeks paid parental leave, study assistance for domestic and international qualifications, and hybrid/flexible working arrangements.
  • Citizenship requirements apply: most permanent Australia-based roles require Australian or New Zealand citizenship or Australian permanent residency. The RBA may offer sponsorship for overseas candidates depending on role type and level.
  • The RBA's graduate program is a two-year rotational development program with streams in Economics and Policy, Information Technology, Payments Policy, and Payments Settlements. Applications for the February 2027 intake open early 2026.
  • Employee referrals are welcomed and encouraged. Current RBA staff can refer candidates through the careers portal, and referred applicants should note the referral in their application.
  • Background checks are mandatory and conducted by Fit2Work (criminal history, qualifications) and Xref (reference checks) before any offer is finalised.
  • Set up job alerts through the Workday portal to be notified when relevant positions open. Alerts expire after 90 days but can be extended.
  • The RBA is an equal opportunity employer with active employee resource groups including accessibility, First Nations, gender equity, race and cultural identity, and LGBTQI+ inclusion. The Bank is a member of the Australian Disability Network and LGBTI Inclusive Employers.

About Reserve Bank of Australia

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is Australia's central bank, established under the Reserve Bank Act 1959, with its headquarters at 65 Martin Place in the heart of Sydney's central business district. Employing approximately 1,700 staff, the RBA is one of the most influential economic institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. Its core mandate is to contribute to the stability of the currency, full employment, and the economic prosperity and welfare of the Australian people. The RBA achieves this through conducting monetary policy to meet agreed inflation and full employment objectives, working to maintain a strong financial system and efficient payments system, and issuing Australia's banknotes. The RBA manages Australia's gold and foreign exchange reserves, provides banking services to the Australian Government and its agencies, and serves a number of overseas central banks and official institutions. It plays a critical role in the Council of Financial Regulators alongside APRA, ASIC, and the Treasury, coordinating the oversight of Australia's financial system stability. The RBA's decisions on the official cash rate are among the most closely watched economic announcements in the country, directly affecting mortgage rates, business lending, and the broader economy. Note Printing Australia (NPA), a wholly owned subsidiary of the RBA based in Craigieburn, Victoria, is responsible for producing Australia's polymer banknotes, a technology invented in Australia and now exported to over 50 countries worldwide. The RBA's polymer banknote innovation represents one of the most significant advances in currency security, and NPA continues to manufacture notes for both domestic circulation and international clients. The RBA's organisational structure encompasses several key areas including Economic Analysis, Financial Markets, Payments Policy, Financial Stability, Information Technology, Banking and Payments, Risk and Compliance, and Corporate Services. The Bank also maintains the Reserve Bank Information and Transfer System (RITS), which is the real-time gross settlement system underpinning Australia's high-value payments infrastructure. Career opportunities span economics, data science, IT, cybersecurity, payments operations, law, accounting, human resources, facilities management, and scientific research, offering a breadth of career paths unusual for a single institution.

Application Process

  1. 1
    All applications must be submitted online through the RBA's Workday careers port

    All applications must be submitted online through the RBA's Workday careers portal at rba.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com. You will need to create an account with a valid email address and password if this is your first application.

  2. 2
    The RBA's Talent Acquisition team reviews your application and CV against the ke

    The RBA's Talent Acquisition team reviews your application and CV against the key criteria specified in the job advertisement. Ensure your resume clearly addresses the stated requirements, as initial screening is criteria-based.

  3. 3
    If your application meets the criteria, a Talent Acquisition Consultant will con

    If your application meets the criteria, a Talent Acquisition Consultant will contact you for an initial phone screen to assess your suitability and discuss the role, your experience, and your motivations for joining the RBA.

  4. 4
    Successful phone screen candidates are invited to a series of in-person or virtu

    Successful phone screen candidates are invited to a series of in-person or virtual interviews with hiring managers and team members, which typically include behavioural-based and technical questions aligned to the specific role.

  5. 5
    Some roles require online assessments administered through SHL (a psychometric t

    Some roles require online assessments administered through SHL (a psychometric testing provider). Your Talent Acquisition Consultant will advise you if this applies and provide instructions for completion.

  6. 6
    Successful candidates must complete background checks through Fit2Work (criminal

    Successful candidates must complete background checks through Fit2Work (criminal history, qualifications verification) and reference checks through Xref before receiving a formal verbal offer from the Talent Acquisition team.

  7. 7
    Upon accepting a verbal offer, you sign an employment contract and submit it via

    Upon accepting a verbal offer, you sign an employment contract and submit it via email to [email protected] or upload it to your Workday application portal. New starters attend a first-day induction morning, with a comprehensive Bank-wide induction held quarterly.

Resume Tips for Reserve Bank of Australia

recommended

Directly address every key selection criterion listed in the job advertisement

Directly address every key selection criterion listed in the job advertisement. The RBA's Talent Acquisition team screens applications against these criteria, so explicitly mapping your experience to each requirement is essential.

recommended

Quantify your achievements with specific metrics and outcomes rather than listin

Quantify your achievements with specific metrics and outcomes rather than listing duties. The RBA values excellence and evidence-based work, so demonstrate impact with data wherever possible, for example 'reduced processing time by 30%' or 'managed a portfolio of $2.5 billion'.

recommended

For economics and policy roles, highlight research publications, econometric mod

For economics and policy roles, highlight research publications, econometric modelling experience, and any work with macroeconomic data or financial markets analysis. Mention specific tools such as MATLAB, R, Python, EViews, or Stata.

recommended

For IT roles, emphasise experience with mission-critical systems, enterprise arc

For IT roles, emphasise experience with mission-critical systems, enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, and in-house software development. The RBA develops and maintains many core systems internally, so hands-on engineering experience is highly valued.

recommended

Demonstrate alignment with the RBA's five core values: Promotion of the Public I

Demonstrate alignment with the RBA's five core values: Promotion of the Public Interest, Integrity, Excellence, Intelligent Inquiry, and Respect. Use your professional summary or cover letter to articulate genuine motivation for public service.

recommended

Cover letters are optional but recommended

Cover letters are optional but recommended. If you include one, explain specifically why you want to work for the RBA, what draws you to the particular role, and how your skills align with the role criteria. Keep it concise and purposeful.

recommended

Ensure your resume is formatted cleanly for Workday's ATS parsing

Ensure your resume is formatted cleanly for Workday's ATS parsing. Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills), avoid tables or multi-column layouts, and save as PDF or Word format. Workday can pre-populate your profile from your uploaded resume.

recommended

For graduate program applications, highlight relevant coursework, academic achie

For graduate program applications, highlight relevant coursework, academic achievements, internships, and any demonstrated interest in central banking, monetary policy, or public policy. The RBA sponsors further study including Masters and PhD programs.

ATS System: Workday

The Reserve Bank of Australia uses Workday (tenant: rba.wd105) as its applicant tracking and recruitment management system. All job applications are submitted through the Workday-powered careers portal, where candidates create accounts, upload resumes, complete application-specific questions, and track their application status. Workday handles resume parsing, candidate profile management, job alert subscriptions, and the entire application workflow from submission through to contract signing.

  • Create your Workday account before application deadlines to avoid last-minute technical issues
  • Use a clean, ATS-friendly resume format (standard headings, no tables or complex layouts) as Workday will parse your document to pre-populate profile fields
  • You cannot modify your resume after submission for a specific role, so proofread carefully and tailor your resume before applying
  • Set up job alerts through the Workday portal to receive notifications for new roles matching your criteria, and remember to extend your subscription before the 90-day expiry
  • Keep your Workday login credentials saved securely, as you will use the same account for all future RBA applications and to track application progress

Complete Workday Resume Guide →

Interview Culture

The RBA's interview process reflects the institution's values of integrity, intelligent inquiry, and respect.

Interviews are structured and professional, conducted in a collegial rather than adversarial atmosphere. The RBA recommends wearing corporate attire for all interviews, reflecting the formal but respectful workplace culture of a central bank. Your Talent Acquisition Consultant will brief you on the specific interview format and any variations in dress code before each stage. Interviews at the RBA are predominantly behavioural-based, meaning you should prepare specific examples from your career that demonstrate competencies relevant to the role. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is well-suited for structuring your responses. Expect questions that probe your achievements, how you have handled complex analytical challenges, your approach to collaboration and teamwork, and your ability to deliver high-quality work under time constraints. Technical questions aligned to the specific role are also standard, particularly for economics, IT, and specialist positions. The number of interview rounds varies by role and seniority. Entry-level and graduate positions may involve two to three rounds, while senior and specialist roles may include additional panel interviews or presentations. The RBA's culture places genuine emphasis on quality and depth of thinking, so interviewers are interested in your analytical reasoning, not just your conclusions. Demonstrating intellectual curiosity, a willingness to ask questions, and an understanding of the RBA's mission and current policy challenges will distinguish you as a candidate. Cultural fit is assessed alongside technical capability. The RBA describes its culture as 'Open and Dynamic,' underpinned by three key behaviours: inspiring trust, opening minds, and working dynamically. Candidates who demonstrate openness to diverse perspectives, collaborative instincts, and a genuine commitment to public interest outcomes tend to perform well. The RBA values candidates who can articulate not just what they have done, but why their work mattered and how they contributed to outcomes beyond their individual role. If you are unsuccessful after an interview, the RBA encourages you to consider the feedback received before reapplying. There is no mandatory waiting period, but reflecting on whether the role level, technical requirements, and skill alignment were right is recommended before applying again.

What Reserve Bank of Australia Looks For

  • Strong alignment with the RBA's five core values: Promotion of the Public Interest, Integrity, Excellence, Intelligent Inquiry, and Respect. Candidates who can authentically articulate their commitment to serving the public good stand out.
  • Analytical rigour and evidence-based decision-making. The RBA operates on data and research, so demonstrating structured thinking, quantitative skills, and the ability to draw sound conclusions from complex information is essential.
  • Collaborative mindset with openness to diverse perspectives. The RBA's culture emphasises working across teams, incorporating different viewpoints, and building trust through transparent communication.
  • Technical depth in your discipline, whether that is macroeconomics, financial markets, payments systems, cybersecurity, software engineering, data science, or corporate professional services.
  • A genuine motivation for central banking and understanding of the RBA's role in the Australian economy. Candidates should be able to discuss current monetary policy settings, recent RBA publications, or relevant financial system developments.
  • Adaptability and a dynamic approach to work. The RBA seeks people who prioritise outcomes, test ideas, learn from results, and refine their approach continuously rather than following rigid processes.
  • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. The RBA produces influential research, publications, and policy advice, so the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences is highly valued.
  • For graduate roles specifically: academic excellence, demonstrated intellectual curiosity, and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world policy challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard recruitment process at the Reserve Bank of Australia?
The RBA's recruitment process typically involves several stages: an initial application review by the Talent Acquisition team against role criteria, a phone screen to assess suitability, one or more interviews featuring behavioural-based and technical questions, potential online assessments for certain roles, and finally background and reference checks before a verbal offer is extended.
Do I need to be an Australian citizen to work at the RBA?
For most permanent Australia-based roles, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian permanent resident. Your status will be verified through background checks prior to appointment. The RBA may offer sponsorship for overseas candidates for certain role types and levels, but this is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
What benefits does the RBA offer employees?
The RBA provides generous benefits including 15.4% superannuation contributions, a health benefit allowance (usable for private health cover or taken as cash), 18 weeks paid parental leave with superannuation on up to 12 months leave, hybrid and flexible working arrangements, study assistance for further qualifications, novated car leasing, Employee Assistance Programs, and the ability to purchase additional annual leave or salary sacrifice.
What should I wear to an interview at the RBA?
The RBA recommends corporate attire for all interviews unless your Talent Acquisition Consultant advises otherwise. The Bank maintains a professional environment consistent with its role as Australia's central bank.
Can I apply for more than one position at the RBA?
Yes, you can apply for multiple positions simultaneously. The RBA advises that you check you meet the eligibility criteria for each role and that it aligns with your career aspirations. Each application is assessed independently.
How does the RBA graduate program work?
The RBA Graduate Development Program is a two-year rotational program available in streams including Economics and Policy, Information Technology, Payments Policy, and Payments Settlements. Graduates receive mentorship, coaching, personal development opportunities, and hands-on experience across different teams. The RBA also sponsors further study including Masters and PhD programs for high-performing staff.
Can I update my resume after submitting an application?
No, once you have submitted your application for a specific role, you cannot upload a new resume for that application. If you need to discuss your submitted resume, contact the Talent Acquisition team directly. For future applications, you can update your profile and attach a current resume.
Does the RBA accept applications from recruitment agencies?
The RBA only accepts candidate submissions from recruitment agencies that have been formally briefed by one of the Bank's Talent Acquisition Consultants for a specific role. Unsolicited agency submissions are not accepted.
What type of interview questions should I prepare for?
Prepare for behavioural-based questions using the STAR method, technical questions aligned to the role requirements, and questions about your career achievements and motivations. You should also be prepared to discuss the RBA's values and demonstrate your understanding of the Bank's mission and current policy landscape.
How long do job alerts last on the RBA careers portal?
Job alerts on the RBA Workday careers portal automatically expire after 90 days if you do not choose to extend your subscription. You can manage your alerts by logging into your account and navigating to the Job Alerts section.

Open Positions

Reserve Bank of Australia currently has 79 open positions.

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 79 open positions at Reserve Bank of Australia

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