The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has been criticised for allegedly shutting out candidates from diverse backgrounds in its 2023 graduate program. 

Each year, DFAT runs a program to train future generations of Australian diplomats. In the latest round for the 2023 program, close to 1,500 people applied for dozens of graduate positions.

But the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) says more than a quarter of the applicants who got a conditional offer to join the program were rejected by the Department  because their security clearance applications were stuck in a clogged-up system at the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency.

The CPSU has written to DFAT alleging that many of those whose security clearances did not come back in time to join DFAT are from diverse backgrounds.

The union’s letter says it would be “deeply concerning if the outcome for these employees is different because of a protected attribute such as race”.

“The CPSU wants to work with DFAT to ensure that their recruitment processes not only allow for, but encourage, people with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds to join the public service,” CPSU deputy secretary Beth Vincent-Pietsch has told the ABC. 

“In this instance, the timelines and criteria put in place by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade actively work against that outcome.”

The union wants to meet with DFAT to discuss the matter. 

The department firmly denies that it has treated its candidates unfairly.

“DFAT takes its responsibility to protect Australian government resources seriously, and this process allows an assessment of an individual's initial and ongoing eligibility and suitability to access Australian government resources,” a spokesperson said.

More details are accessible here.