The Opportunity
Are you a detail-oriented team player, a critical thinker with excellent communication skills and good judgement? Do you have a natural curiosity and a drive to constantly seek out new information and insights? Are you seeking a diverse and rewarding career in intelligence, playing a crucial role providing advice to government on matters of national security?
As an Intelligence Professional, you'll play a critical role in delivering accurate, relevant, and timely intelligence that supports informed decision-making.
ASIO is seeking applications for the Intelligence Development Program (IDP) for the January and July 2026 intakes. This 12-month development program for intelligence professionals provides participants with comprehensive training in intelligence assessment, analysis and advice. Participants will develop the fundamental skills and knowledge required to undertake intelligence analysis roles in ASIO. The IDP is also the entry point for those seeking to apply their analytical skills and tradecraft to operational contexts and a career as an Intelligence Officer.
As an Intelligence Analyst you will have the opportunity for a diverse career across a range of specialised analytical areas. You will identify and investigate patterns and anomalies, draw intelligence value from large volumes of information, solve complex problems and develop subject matter expertise to make intelligence assessments and produce high quality advice. Intelligence Analysts drive ASIO's analysis of national security issues and deliver impactful advice and assessments that inform government, national security partners and industry.
Following a period of employment as an Intelligence Analyst, candidates will have the opportunity apply to be trained as Intelligence Officers. Intelligence Officers meet with members of different communities to contribute to mitigating security threats, while also building ongoing confidential relationships with people to collect information to assist ASIO in achieving our mission. As an Intelligence Officer you will be trained to collect complex information to inform security intelligence requirements.
If you enjoy working in a dynamic team-based environment, possess curiosity and good judgement, are a critical thinker, are comfortable engaging with people from all walks of life, and are interested in a career in intelligence and national security, we encourage you to apply.
Find out more about working at ASIO.
What you will bring
We invite applications from people with the following attributes:
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An interest in national security.
- Exceptional judgement and the ability to provide impartial advice.
- The ability to gather, research and analyse information to prepare written and oral briefings.
- Critical thinking, complex problem solving and logical reasoning.
- The ability to operate independently and as part of a team.
- The ability to demonstrate personal and professional resilience and adaptability.
- High level interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to build productive relationships across ASIO and with partners.
- The motivation and aptitude to undertake a comprehensive 12-month development program.
- A diverse range of skills, qualifications and life experience.
What we offer you
ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including:
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Significant training and development as part of a 12-month development program.
- A competitive salary, including a 7.5 per cent allowance for maintaining a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access 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 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
To be eligible for the role, you must be:
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An Australian citizen.
- Be assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance.
- Candidates for subsequent Intelligence Officer training must have an Australian Drivers Licence, this criteria will only apply following completion of Intelligence Analyst training and a defined period of employment.
ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome and value 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.
Reasonable adjustments
Please advise us if you require any additional assistance in order to fully participate in the recruitment process or the workplace.
Location
These positions are 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 include the following:
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A current CV 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 pitch of no more than 2 pages outlining what skills, qualities and knowledge you will bring to ASIO.
- Details of 2 referees, which must include a current and previous manager.
Your pitch is an opportunity to tell us why you are interested in an intelligence career with ASIO. In support of your application, candidates are encouraged to refer to ASIO's People Capability Framework.
This framework outlines the capabilities and skills required for ASIO's workforce (see below):
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Strategic Thinking.
- Achieves Results.
- Productive Working Relationships.
- Personal Drive and Integrity.
- Communicates with Influence.
- Demonstrated skills and experience relevant to the role.
Please note that it is not necessary to address each of the capability criteria individually in your application; however, applicants are encouraged to review the ASIO People Capability Framework prior to submitting their application, as these capabilities will be assessed at various stages in the selection process.
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.
A merit pool may be created to fill future vacancies which have the same or similar requirements to this position. This merit pool will be valid for up to 18 months.
Closing date and time
Applications close Monday 16 September at 5.00pm AEDT. No extensions will be granted and late applications will not be accepted.
Suitability assessments are valid for 24 months. Candidates found unsuitable during the assessment process will not be eligible to reapply for the IDP for a period of 24 months. If you have previously applied since April 2022, we encourage you to confirm your eligibility before reapplying.
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.
The Recruitment Selection Process – what to expect
We thank all applicants for their interest in applying for the Intelligence Development 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.
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 Early and Mid-2026 intakes, candidates can expect the following timeframes for the recruitment selection process:
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Program advertised and early applications open August to September 2024.
- Online testing will likely commence early in September to October 2024.
- Assessment Centres will likely run in October to December 2024.
Enquiries
If you require further information after reading the selection documentation, please contact ASIO Recruitment at careers@asio.gov.au or phone 02 6257 4916.
More information
For more information about ASIO, please visit: www.asio.gov.au.