Being recognised as one of Australia’s Top 100 Graduate Employers for 2026 is something I’m incredibly proud of - both personally and on behalf of the early careers’ community across Wood.
While our 24-place climb in the ranking is something that gets me super excited, it isn’t just a number…
It’s a reflection of how students and graduates see Wood - as a place where they can develop professionally, contribute to critical projects and be surrounded by people who inspire.
Over the last few years, we’ve strengthened our connection with students who want to be part of the energy and materials sector.
That work now spans a network of student societies across Australia, including engineering clubs at Monash, Melbourne, UWA and the University of Queensland, as well as groups dedicated to supporting women in STEM such as WEM and WIMAR. We’re also proud supporters of Robogals chapters in both Melbourne and Perth, reinforcing our commitment to building a more diverse future pipeline of engineering talent.
Students increasingly know Wood not just as a name at a careers fair, but as the organisation that shows up where they are, supports their development and invests in the causes and communities they care about.
What sets Wood Australia apart for graduates?
Wood’s graduate experience is shaped by the scale of our global business and the diversity of work we do in region. Graduates who join us aren’t limited to one type of project or one part of the industry.
Instead, they gain early exposure to a blend of traditional strengths and future‑focused disciplines - including hydrogen, carbon capture and digitalisation.
And while we offer site‑based opportunities for those who want them, many of our graduate roles are based in major cities like Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne, with hybrid and flexible options where the work allows.
Inside the programme: what graduates can expect
At Wood Australia, our graduates join a structured two-year Global Graduate Programme that takes them through three distinct phases, from induction and foundational skills through to levelling up for the next step in their career.
Across the programme, they build capabilities from early leadership and commercial awareness to emotional intelligence and creative problem solving, supported by a blend of webinars and e-learning delivered through a global network of peers and professionals.
That said, we're transparent with our graduates from the outset: while the programme runs for two years, progression to the next career level typically takes closer to three years, and in engineering, that timeline reflects the complexity and depth of the work we do, not a ceiling on ambition.
The projects our engineers contribute to demand a level of technical maturity that simply takes time to develop, and we believe in promoting people when they are genuinely ready, not just when a calendar says so.
Each graduate is enrolled in our Global Mentoring Programme, connecting them with experienced professionals across the business. And importantly, the support starts well before day one, every graduate is assigned a buddy the moment they accept their offer, so they arrive informed, connected and confident from the very first day.
Common misconceptions about working in energy and engineering - and what graduates actually experience
Over the years I’ve met thousands of students, and the same myths come up time and time again. They’re understandable - most people only see this industry through the lens of old stereotypes or media headlines - but they don’t reflect the reality of what graduates experience at Wood…
Myth 1: “The industry is all fossil fuels and nothing to do with sustainability.”
This is one of the biggest misconceptions, and it often surprises people when they learn how much of Wood’s work is directly linked to energy transition. Graduates contribute to projects in low‑carbon and sustainable industries, often far earlier than they expect.
Myth 2: “You have to do FIFO or work remote for most of your career.”
FIFO (fly-in fly-out) can be a rewarding career path for some, but it’s not the default. Many graduate roles at Wood are office‑based or hybrid, focused on design, consulting, project engineering or operations. For those who do choose site experience, it’s often one chapter of a much broader career - not the whole story.
Myth 3: “The work is repetitive or overly technical, with no creativity.”
Modern engineering and consulting require creativity every day - particularly as our clients tackle increasingly complex sustainability challenges. Graduates are often surprised by how much problem‑solving, collaboration and innovation their roles involve.
Myth 4: “Skills in this industry don’t transfer.”
The opposite is true. Because our graduates gain exposure across projects, clients and regions, their skills become highly portable - within engineering or into adjacent fields like project management, digital analytics, sustainability, consulting or operations.
Where can graduates go with Wood? Career pathways and long‑term growth
Most engineering graduates grow into technical specialists or team leads, while others move into project management or consulting pathways. Non‑engineering graduates - HR, HSE, digital, commercial - explore different parts of their discipline before choosing where they want to focus.
Cross‑regional collaboration is common; for example, some of our graduates in Melbourne contribute to projects led by our Perth teams, and vice versa.
Travel during the programme is usually domestic, with opportunities to attend onshore or offshore client sites. International travel tends to come later, as graduates progress into roles where global exposure makes sense.
Practical advice to students who are applying now
My advice to students preparing for the 2026 intake is simple:
- Research Wood and show that understanding in your application
- Tailor your CV and cover letter - clean, concise, results‑focused, and no photos or elaborate formatting
- Show commercial awareness of the sector
- Demonstrate genuine motivation, not generic ambition
- Connect early with current graduates or attend events we host or support
- Build resilience into the process - it’s competitive, and every step is learning
We ask for a cover letter, résumé and academic transcript - leaving one out can impact your application. It sounds simple, but it happens more often than you might think.
This year, we’re looking to fill over 20 graduate positions in Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane. Applications opened for our 2027 intake on 23rd February and will close on 22nd March 2026.
Why Wood could be your first step
Graduates today want purpose, balance, growth and community - and I’m glad to say they find that at Wood. Our rise in the Top 100 Graduate Employers list shows that students see the value in what we offer, but more importantly, it shows that our graduates feel supported, challenged and genuinely part of something meaningful.
If you’re considering your next step, I’d encourage you to reach out to me below, speak to our graduates and explore whether Wood could be the right place to start your career.
Article author
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Sandro Tozzi
Early Careers Advisor
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