Graduate Program - New Zealand (Jan 2026)

Ready to drive meaningful change? We’re looking for passionate individuals to join our team and help us tackle the challenges shaping our future. At Rio Tinto, we believe innovation thrives when diverse minds collaborate toward a common purpose – creating a sustainable and better tomorrow. Let’s shape the future, together. 

Finding better ways™ to provide the materials the world needs.

We’re inviting recent graduates and students looking at Graduate and/or Intern roles in;

• Engineering Mechanical
• Engineering Automation / Mechatronics / I&C Systems
• Engineering Process / Chemical / Metallurgy
• Engineering Civil
• Engineering Electrical

About the programs 

Our Graduate and Intern Programs offer you the chance to help shape Rio Tinto from within. The Graduate Program extends over two years, focusing on developing both foundational and future-focused skills, leading to permanent positions in the organisation. The 12-week Summer Internship Program provides hands-on experience, with the potential to secure a graduate position upon completion.

What we offer

Be recognised for your contribution, thinking, and hard work, and go home knowing you’ve helped the world progress. 

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Comprehensive medical benefits including subsidised private health insurance for employees and immediate family members
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Company provided insurance cover
• Extensive salary sacrifice & salary packaging options
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical wellbeing support
• Leave for everything life throws at us (annual leave, paid parental leave, sick leave, carer’s leave)
• Exclusive employee discounts (banking, accommodation, cars, retail and more)
• Relocation assistance, as required

Where you’ll be working

New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) converts alumina into aluminium using renewable hydroelectricity, resulting in one of the lowest carbon footprints for an aluminium smelter in the world. The smelter is located on Tiwai Peninsula in Southland and the majority of the plant's alumina is supplied from our Yarwun and Queensland Alumina Limited refineries. Around 90% of the aluminium produced at NZAS is exported. NZAS is a joint venture owned by Rio Tinto (79.36%) and Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical Company (20.64%)

Where we’re all welcome

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us who we are.

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, the LGBTI+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We acknowledge that all people are different and believe that our differences are our strength. The diversity of skills, life experiences and perspectives within our team enhances our way of working and our ability to achieve success together.

Eligibility   

• Graduate Program – final year of study/have recently graduated with less than 2 years of relevant work experience
• Intern Program – penultimate year or students in 2nd or 3rd year
• Have the right to work in Australia or New Zealand (citizens, permanent residents, student or postgraduate work visa holders)  

Next steps   

There’s no better time to drive change than with the leaders of tomorrow, and it all begins with a Graduate or Intern role at Rio Tinto. Apply today. 

Please note, to be considered for this role, you must complete all pre-screening questions.    

Applications close 7 April 2025

About Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto is a leading global mining and materials company. We operate in 35 countries where we produce iron ore, copper, aluminium, critical minerals, and other materials needed for the global energy transition and for people, communities, and nations to thrive.
 

We have been mining for 150 years and operate with knowledge built up across generations and continents. Our purpose is finding better ways to provide the materials the world needs – striving for innovation and continuous improvement to produce materials with low emissions and to the right environmental, social and governance standards. But we can’t do it on our own, so we’re focused on creating partnerships to solve problems, create win-win situations and meet opportunities.

Every Voice Matters

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.