Business & Corporate Services
Canberra,Various
Ongoing - Permanent
05720252026
$161,682 - $191,321
11-May-2026
The Organisation
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. ASIO's people are ordinary Australians but they do extraordinary things – they are our most important asset. To be successful, we need talented people who are highly capable, dedicated, adaptable and resilient.
We seek to reflect 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.
At a time when Australia's security environment is dynamic, diverse and degrading, our work is more important than ever. Join the mission and make a difference every day.
The opportunity
The Executive Officer (EO) will work in the Deputy Director-General's (DDG's) office, providing critical support, responding to and anticipating the requirements of the DDG. As EO/DDG, you will work closely with ASIO Senior Executives, reaching out to all levels and areas within ASIO and Government to deliver assistance to the Deputy Director-General as they drive, support and promote the work of ASIO.
ASIO looks for candidates who are curious, resilient and enjoy problem solving.
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.
Responsibilities
As an Executive Officer in ASIO, you will have the unique opportunity to work within a small team of high-performing staff and contribute to the successful operation of the Office of the DDG. This will include, but is not limited to:
- Strategic enablement: partner with the DDG to translate corporate priorities into actionable work‐streams, anticipate and establish priorities for the Group, and ensure the provision of concise briefing materials and executive dashboards.
- Lead the day-to-day operations of the Office of the DDG, and act as a critical conduit across the Organisation and external stakeholders.
- Agenda and calendar management: work with the Executive Assistant to ensure the DDG's calendar is focused on strategic priorities and coordinate cross‐functional meetings with internal staff and external partners.
- Stakeholder management: serve as the primary liaison for internal senior leaders and key external stakeholders, manage expectations and flow of information to ensure that ASIO operates seamlessly.
- Operational excellence: design, document, and continuously improve processes to support governance and quality requirements and ensure timely responses.
- Provide day-to-day management of the budget for the Office of the Deputy Director-General
- Data‐driven decision support: work with internal business areas to surface insights to support the DDG and wider Executive decision-making.
- Confidentiality and governance: demonstrate the highest level of discretion, flexibility, confidentiality, excellent judgement, self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
What you will bring
We are seeking candidates with the following capabilities:
- Highly organised, motivated, responsive and resilient.
- Superior administrative, financial, and project management skills.
- A sound knowledge of ASIO's role and functions (or ability to learn quickly), and a broader awareness of its place in the national intelligence community.
- Demonstrated capability to anticipate and prioritise requirements and deliver high-quality outcomes in a challenging, changing and fast-paced environment.
- Highly polished written and verbal communication and negotiation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships at all levels of an organisation and with external stakeholders.
- Strategic and business acumen, including the ability to read, summarise and synthesise complex business information and reports.
- Be able to make sound independent judgements backed by data and evidence.
- Proven track record of handling highly sensitive information with tact and discretion.
You are not required to address each capability separately in your application. Consider providing examples that illustrate multiple capabilities at once.
Refer to ASIO's Core Capability Framework to understand what is expected at each level for each capability.
What we offer you
ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including:
- 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, including stand down between Christmas and New Year.
- 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).
Eligibility
To be eligible to work at ASIO, you must be:
- An Australian citizen.
- Assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access (TS-PA) 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.
How to apply
ASIO officers' identities are protected by law. Under section 92 of the ASIO Act, the only declared ASIO officers are the Director-General and Deputy Directors-General. Due to the need to protect our people's identities, 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.
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.
- Details of 2 referees, which must include a current or former supervisor. ASIO will not contact your referees without advising you prior to doing so.
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.
The recruitment selection process
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 may include application assessment, eligibility checks, online testing, skills-based assessment and interview.
We ask all applicants for their patience throughout the process.
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.
Australian Workplace Equality Index
ASIO has achieved the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold Standard in 2024 and 2025, recognising ASIO's inclusion work and positive culture. ASIO was the first Australian intelligence agency to achieve this status.
For more information about ASIO, please visit: www.asio.gov.au.