Standards Australia

What's your job about?

Standards Australia works with industry, government and the community to develop standards that help make products, services and systems safer, more consistent and easier to use. As a graduate, I rotate through different teams and support projects that translate business needs into practical tools, processes and insights.

My work often starts with understanding a problem: speaking with the people who use a process, asking questions, reviewing existing information and identifying where things could be clearer or more efficient. From there, I help shape a solution, which might involve building a report, documenting a process, testing a new system or coordinating feedback between teams.

During my rotations, I have helped develop a benefits realisation framework for project teams, built a Power BI report that gives Finance greater visibility over purchase requisitions, purchase orders and invoices, and supported the design and testing of request forms for a Finance Service Desk. I also prepare user acceptance testing scenarios, run walkthroughs with stakeholders and refine work based on their feedback.

In simple terms, I help take an idea or business problem and make it easier for people to understand, test and act on. I enjoy that the work combines analytical thinking, communication and technology, while giving me the opportunity to understand how different parts of an organisation fit together.

 

What's your background?

I was born in India and spent my childhood between India and Australia, while also travelling with my family across Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Experiencing different places and cultures from a young age made adapting to unfamiliar environments feel natural and encouraged my curiosity about people and the wider world.

Growing up, I had varied interests. I trained in Odissi, a traditional Indian dance form, enjoyed sketching, participated in academic Olympiads and performed at school. After settling in Sydney, I became a school captain and represented my school at events including visits to NSW Parliament.

My path into technology developed gradually. In Legal Studies, I was particularly interested in metadata and the challenge of regulating digital spaces that evolve quickly, which drew me towards cybersecurity. In Year 11, I also developed a game using Microsoft MakeCode Arcade, which showed me how creative and customisable technology could be.

At university, I studied a Bachelor of Information Technology at the University of Technology Sydney, majoring in Cybersecurity and Networking. A programming subject involving data structures and algorithms later led me to add Enterprise Software Development as a second major. I also completed a project management subject, which introduced me to another area I found unexpectedly engaging.

Alongside my studies, I volunteered through UTS programs and at Vinnies, and worked in technology retail at JB Hi-Fi. These experiences helped me build confidence working with different people, explaining information clearly and adapting to different needs.

Seeing an opportunity in Standards Australia’s Group Project Management Office felt like a natural fit. I joined the Graduate Program after completing my degree in 2025 and have since worked across project management, reporting, process improvement, stakeholder engagement and system testing.

 

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Yes. My IT degree has helped me understand systems and data, but this work could suit people from many different backgrounds. A lot of the role involves learning quickly, asking good questions and translating between people with different priorities. Someone from business, finance, engineering, communications or another field could do well if they are curious, organised and comfortable working through ambiguity. The most important qualities are clear communication, analytical thinking, attention to detail, initiative and a willingness to listen before jumping to a solution.

 

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The coolest thing about my job is seeing a vague problem become something people can actually use. One highlight was building a Power BI report for Finance that brought purchase requisition, purchase order and invoice information into one place. After developing it, I walked the team through the report and could see them identifying how it could support their work. That moment, when something moves from an idea to a useful tool, is the part I find most rewarding.

 

What are the limitations of your job?

One aspect of the role is that you often need to work through ambiguity. In project and business improvement work, the answer is not always obvious at the start, and different stakeholders may have different priorities or ways of describing the same problem. This can be challenging, but it also makes the work interesting. You need to be comfortable asking questions, clarifying details and sometimes revisiting your assumptions. For someone who prefers very fixed instructions or immediate answers, this type of role may take some adjustment.

 

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Don’t wait until you feel completely ready before contributing. You can still add value while you are learning, particularly by asking thoughtful questions and explaining your thinking.
2. Explore more than one path. Different experiences often build on each other in unexpected ways, and you may discover strengths or interests you had not initially planned for.
3. Build genuine relationships, not just technical skills. People are often happy to explain their work, and those conversations can teach you as much as formal study.

I would also remind myself that being careful is valuable, but perfection is not the goal. Clarity, curiosity and follow-through matter more.