National Security and Strategic Policy Graduate Program (Jul 2025)

The Organisation

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. In a complex, challenging and changing security environment, our success is built on the imagination and intelligence of our team. ASIO's people are ordinary Australians but they do extraordinary things – they are our most important asset. To be successful in our mission, we need talented people who are highly capable, dedicated, adaptable and resilient.

We seek to reflect the diversity of the community we protect. ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply. We are secretive about what we do, not what we value. Find out more about diversity and inclusion at ASIO.

The Opportunity 

Are you seeking an exceptional career where you can contribute and make a difference to the security of Australia? 

The ASIO National Security and Strategic Policy Graduate Program is a dynamic 12-month program with intakes in mid-2025 and early 2026.  The program will showcase the breadth of work that ASIO undertakes and set you on a pathway for a career with purpose. 

We are seeking university students who will have completed their degree before the intake commences, or graduates from the past 3 years, who are looking for a meaningful career in National Security and Strategic Policy. Fields of study we are looking for include, but are not limited to:

• Governance and Policy.
• National and International Security Studies.
• Strategic Policy.

Over 12 months, we will guide and mentor you, enabling you to further develop your skills and knowledge, and support you to contribute to ASIO's mission. You will undertake placements across a number of business areas giving you opportunities to work alongside colleagues throughout the Organisation. 

The program is Canberra-based and relocation assistance is offered to successful interstate applicants. On successful completion of the program, you will be promoted to the AE5 level (APS5 equivalent).  

What you will bring

We invite applications from people with the following attributes:

• The ability to work collaboratively.
• The capacity to think critically and laterally in solving problems.
• The propensity to adapt to emerging issues, events and environments.
• Personal qualities that exemplify ASIO's values and expected behaviours.

What we offer you 

ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including:

• Significant training and development as part of a 12-month graduate program. 
• A competitive salary, including a 7.5 per cent allowance for maintaining a Positive Vetting security clearance.
• Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4 per cent.
• A variety of leave options, in addition to the standard 4 weeks annual leave to ensure your work-life balance.
• Flexible working arrangements to assist you to maintain your work-life balance. (Please note: due to our unique working environment, work from home options are generally not available. During the graduate program, part-time working arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis and may require extension of the program in order to be accommodated).
• Study assistance, including financial support and study leave for tertiary education.
• Access to 7 staff-led diversity and inclusion networks.
• Mentoring opportunities.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Eligibility 

While we're looking for attitude as much as aptitude, to be eligible to apply you must: 

• Be an Australian citizen.
• Have completed your degree before the program commences, or graduated in the past 3 years.
• Be assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a Positive Vetting security clearance.

Reasonable adjustments

Please advise us if you require any additional assistance in order to fully participate in the recruitment process or the workplace.

Location

The National Security and Strategic Policy Graduate Program is located in Canberra and applicants must be willing to relocate. Relocation assistance is provided to successful candidates where ASIO requires you to relocate.

How to apply

Click on ‘Apply online' to commence your application. Your application must be complete and include the following:

• A written pitch of up to 500 words using examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role.
• A current CV, no more than 2 pages in length, outlining your employment history, the dates and a brief description of your role, as well as any academic qualifications or relevant training you may have undertaken.
• A copy of your academic transcript.
• Details of 2 referees, which must include a current or previous manager.

Closing date and time

Monday 8 April 2024 at 5:00pm AEDT. 

No extensions will be granted and late applications will not be accepted.

The Recruitment Selection Process – what to expect

We thank all applicants for their interest in applying for the National Security and Strategic Policy Graduate Program. Please be advised that our selection process is rigorous and extensive. 

All employment decisions and selection processes at ASIO are based on merit principles and candidates must be prepared to undergo various selection stages. The stages themselves may include; application submission, eligibility checks, online testing, skills-based assessment and panel discussion.

ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for candidates to participate within all stages of the selection process. These opportunities may include reasonable adjustment to assessment methodologies to enable full participation. Please let us know if you require any additional assistance or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process in order to fully participate in the recruitment process or the workplace. 

An order of merit may be created to fill future vacancies which has the same or similar requirements as this position. This merit pool will be valid for up to 18 months.

ASIO holds all employment applications in the strictest of confidence. It is essential that you do the same. Please do not discuss your application with others as doing so may adversely affect your potential employment.

We ask all applicants for their patience throughout the process. Once complete, we will notify unsuccessful candidates but will not provide feedback on any aspect of the selection process.

The Recruitment Selection Process – Timeframes

As we are recruiting for a mid-2025 intake, candidates can expect the following timeframes for the recruitment selection process.

• Program advertised and early applications received from February to March 2024.
• Online testing will likely commence early in July to August 2024.
• Assessment Centres will likely run in September to October 2024.

Employment conditions

Employment is under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979. Conditions of service are similar to those applying in the Australian Public Service. We recognise entitlements accrued under the Public Service Act 1999 and provide for continuation of superannuation under the Commonwealth schemes. Salary packaging arrangements are also available.

Enquiries

If you require further information after reading the selection documentation, please contact ASIO Recruitment at 02 6257 4916.

More information

For more information about ASIO, please visit our website.