The Opportunity
The ASIO Strategic Policy, Governance and Communications Graduate Program is a 12-month program with intakes in mid-2027 and early 2028. 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 policy, governance or communications. Fields of study we are looking for include, but are not limited to:
• Strategic policy
• Governance
• Communications
• National and international security
• International relations.
ASIO works with government, agencies, industries and academia to harden the security environment and make Australia a more resistant, resilient and ultimately harder target. You will contribute to these outcomes by:
• Providing advice to government on the national security issues impacting Australia, to inform Australia’s national security policy and legislative reform.
• Supporting ASIO to deliver its mission through partnerships, engaging across the National Intelligence Community, broader government, parliamentary committees, ministerial offices, and international counterparts.
• Representing ASIO’s requirements to government, to enable ASIO to perform its functions.
• Writing speeches, media releases, whole of government talking points, strategies and other public communications.
• Developing protective security advice and communication campaigns in support of government policies such as the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF).
• Enabling ASIO to achieve its security intelligence effects and outcomes through a range of governance, accountability and transparency processes.
Over the 12-month program, we will guide and mentor you, enabling you to further develop your skills and knowledge. You will gain unique experience across ASIO, and broaden your understanding of how national security fits within whole of government processes.
You will complete 3 placements across a number of business areas, giving you opportunities to build productive working relationships throughout the organisation. These may include:
• National security policy and legislative reform
• Strategic communications
• International and strategic engagement
• Security and threat assessments
• Corporate governance
• Ministerial and cabinet liaison.
On successful completion of the program, you will be promoted to the AE5 level (APS5 equivalent).
What you will bring
We are seeking candidates with the following attributes:
• Adaptability
• Curiosity
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Problem solving
• Resilience
• Teamwork
We are seeking candidates with the following capabilities:
• 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.
Qualifications
To apply for a graduate program in ASIO, you must have completed your degree prior to program commencement, or no more than 3 years prior. Candidates are required to have a degree which could include, but are not limited to:
• Strategic policy
• Governance
• Communications
• National and international security
• International relations.
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% allowance for maintaining a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance.
• Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4%.
• A variety of leave options, in addition to the standard 4 weeks annual leave to ensure your work life balance.
• Flexible working arrangements. Please note due to our unique working environment, work from home options are not available.
• Study assistance, including financial support and study leave for tertiary education.
• Access to 7 staff-led diversity and inclusion networks.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Mentoring opportunities.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the role, you must be:
• An Australian citizen.
• Assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance.
Reasonable adjustments
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. This may include reasonable adjustments to assessment methodologies to enable full participation.
Location
As Australia’s security service, we advertise positions nationally to seek candidates from across the country.
These positions are located in Canberra and applicants living elsewhere must be willing to relocate.
Assistance is provided to successful applicants 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 that addresses the required capabilities for the role. Use examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the capabilities.
• 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 have undertaken.
• A copy of your academic transcript. If you have not yet graduated, please provide your most up-to-date transcript. This can be an unofficial copy as long as it is issued by your tertiary provider.
• Details of 2 referees, which must include a current or previous manager.
Before applying read the ASIO People Capability Framework and Core Capability Guide, both available on the ASIO website. To increase your chances of success, tailor your application responses to align with the relevant capabilities and levels outlined in these frameworks.
Use of AI in recruitment processes ASIO does not use any form of artificial intelligence at any point in the recruitment process. All applications are reviewed by a selection panel. We acknowledge some candidates may wish to use AI tools to support drafting their applications or to assist in preparing for interviews. If you choose to use AI tools, you should consider the following:
• Ensure your application is accurate and a true representation of your skills and experience.
• Ensure your application reflects your genuine voice. Review and personalise it.
• Consider the privacy and data security implications of using any AI tool. Read and understand their privacy policies and data use terms.
• ASIO requires applicants to not disclose their application status and requires officers to be discrete about their employment. Consider how any information you enter into an AI tool may link you to potential employment with ASIO or impact future employment.
Closing date and time
Monday 30 March 2026 at 11:59pm AEDT.
No extensions will be granted and late applications will not be accepted.
The Recruitment Selection Process – Timeframes
As we are recruiting for the 2027 and 2028 Strategic Policy, Governance and Communications Graduate Program, candidates can expect the following timeframes for the recruitment selection process:
• Program advertised in February/March closing Monday, 30 March 2026.
• Assessment Centres will likely run in June/July 2026.
• Candidate notified of outcomes in August/September 2026.