QBE NEW ZEALAND GRADUATE PROGRAM 2026

INSURANCE UNDERWRITING STREAM

PERMANENT ROLE | AUCKLAND | HYBRID WORKING

GRADUATE PROGRAM OVERVIEW

18 months | 3 different teams | 6-month experiences

Our award-winning graduate program has been running in Australia for many years with huge success. Graduates are hired as permanent employees, with the first 18-months spent on the graduate program experiencing three different teams across our business, known as ‘rotations’. In addition to three rotations, graduates progress through a structured learning and development plan, have access to senior leaders, and spend time with their graduate cohort forming meaningful and long-lasting connections.

In 2024, we launched our inaugural New Zealand graduate program as an extension of our Australian program, and we are looking to bring on another two graduates for 2026 based out of our Auckland office. Successful graduates will enjoy two trips to Sydney, Australia for induction week and development activities in their first year.

INSURANCE UNDERWRITING

Insurance underwriting is a highly technical skill set that is critical to our business success. This graduate program stream focuses on business insurance, which can be incredibly complex. Businesses of all sizes across many industries present their own unique risks and you will learn what to consider before we agree to offer insurance protection to a business customer.

You can expect to learn about many types of business insurance including property, motor, liability, financial lines, and more. As a QBE graduate in New Zealand, you do not need any previous insurance experience. We’ll teach you the basics before progressing you into new rotations where you’ll continue to build your knowledge and understanding of insurance and the underwriting process.

The role of an underwriter is unique in that it offers the best of both worlds – a role where you can build strong technical skills through analysis and risk management practices, and advanced communications skills as your success in this role will largely depend on effectively working with many internal and external stakeholders.

Our graduates often discover interests that they didn’t know even existed before joining QBE. The New Zealand graduate program provides a platform to learn insurance from the ground up and it offers the flexibility to explore interests as they develop.

GRADUATE LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT

Your skill and career development are a key focus for the entire graduate program and beyond. Some of the ways you will learn include:

Experiencing our business from three different perspectives across your graduate rotations

Formal classroom style training, always with a practical application

Digital learning pathways designed for the graduate cohort and your program stream more specifically

Informal learning through cohort activities and initiatives

Unlimited access to digital learning content, many courses with official certifications

Your support network: graduate program lead, graduate buddy, rotation leaders, technical buddies, graduate networks (program stream and wider cohort)

Networking and public speaking opportunities

ABOUT QBE

At QBE, we get to the heart of what matters for our customers. We dig deeper to really get to know our customers, harnessing our deep understanding to provide tailored and responsive solutions. And we do it all with a human touch.

As part of the QBE team, you’ll spend every day working with people who are passionate, talented and kind. And with 13,000+ colleagues across 26 countries, we’re big enough for your ambitions, yet still small enough for you to make a real impact.

It’s an exciting time at QBE. We’re building momentum towards our vision to become the most consistent and innovative risk partner. And we want talented people like you to join us, so you can be part of our success – and we can be part of yours.

Your career. At the heart of it.

www.qbe.com/nz/about-qbe/careers

BENEFITS

We offer a range of benefits to help provide holistic support for your work life, whatever your circumstances. As a QBE employee you will have access to and benefit from:

‘Hybrid Working’ – a mix of working from home and in the office to enhance your work/life balance

Life Leave, supporting the life events we all experience, leaving your annual leave for rest

Free holistic wellbeing coaching, nutritional, confidential counselling, financial and legal advice

A range of discounts on insurance products, car hire, hotels, goods and services

Voluntary super contributions and company matching

Income protection insurance & reimbursed Death and Total Permanent Disability insurance premiums

18 weeks’ gender-equal flexible leave for all new parents, including paid super

REWARDS & RECOGNITION

We value our employee’s experience with us and are proud to have been recognised for the following awards:

Ranked in the top ten in the AAGE Top Graduate Employers 2025 for medium sized program as voted by graduates

2025 Winner of Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award at the Insurance Business Australia Awards for our Respect@QBE program

2023 Most Inclusive Workplace at the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) Awards

2021 LinkedIn Top Employer & HRD Employer of Choice

2020 Best Workplace Diversity & Inclusion and Excellence Award for Best Health & Wellbeing at the Australian HR Awards

Platinum employer on the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) – the definitive national benchmark on LGBTQI+ workplace inclusion

Family Friendly Workplace accredited employer since 2021

ELIGIBILITY

Our graduate program commences once per year each February. To be eligible for the New Zealand stream of the 2026 graduate program, you must have:

Completed and passed tertiary education in the 2 years prior to the graduate program start date, graduating from end of 2023 to end of 2025

Unrestricted working rights in New Zealand and

Submit a resume and academic transcript with your application. A cover letter is not required.

Whilst some education disciplines align more to the technical nature of insurance underwriting than others, for example, law, economics, business, engineering, we are accepting applications for the insurance underwriting graduate program from any field of study if you have a strong interest. We encourage you to apply now or contact the graduate recruitment team to discuss further if you have questions at graduates@qbe.com.

APPLY NOW

Click APPLY to submit your application. Applications will close on Tuesday 19 August 2025.

Successful applicants will need to complete work rights, police, and employment checks through our online provider as a condition of employment. Please remember to submit your resume and academic transcript with your application.

QBE recognise the value of diverse perspectives and experience. We are committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected for who they are. If we can provide support with access requirements, alternative work arrangements or you would like to connect with one of our networks please contact us at graduates@qbe.com.

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