Strategic Policy, Governance and Communications Graduate Program 2026 (Feb 2026)

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 Strategic Policy, Governance and Communications Graduate Program is a dynamic 12-month program with intakes in early 2026 and mid-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 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, and support you to contribute to ASIO’s mission. You will gain unique experience across ASIO, and broaden your understanding of how national security fits within whole of government processes.

You will undertake 3 placements across a number of business areas, giving you opportunities to work alongside colleagues 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 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% 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 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  

To be eligible for the role, you must be:  

• An Australian citizen.
• Have completed your degree before the program commences, or graduated in the past 3 years.
• Assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance.

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

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.

Location

The Strategic Policy, Governance and Communications 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.  

Graduates at ASIO rotate through different roles, but the majority of program rotations and final placements are located in Canberra.

We advertise positions nationally to give everybody the opportunity to apply, therefore some external advertising platforms may display other capital cities.

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, 7 April 2025 at 5:00pm AEST.  

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 Strategic Policy, Governance and Communications 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 an early and mid-2026 intake, candidates can expect the following timeframes for the recruitment selection process.

• Program advertised and applications received from February to April 2025.
• Assessment Centres will likely run in May to June 2025.
• Candidates will likely be notified of outcomes in July to August 2025.

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 (AWEI)

In 2024, ASIO achieved the AWEI Gold Standard, recognising ASIO’s inclusion work and positive culture. ASIO was one of only 7 public sector employers, and the first Australian intelligence agency, to achieve this status.

The ASIO Diversity and Inclusion Strategy reflects ASIO’s commitment and recognises the benefits of being a diverse and inclusive organisation. For further information about ASIO’s Diversity and Inclusion networks, please visit: www.asio.gov.au/about/diversity-and-inclusion.

Enquiries

If you require further information after reading the selection documentation, please contact ASIO Recruitment at careers@asio.gov.au or phone 02 6263 7888.

More information

For more information about ASIO, please visit: www.asio.gov.au