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
Are you seeking an exceptional career where you can contribute and make a difference to the security of Australia? Technology is at the heart of ASIO's mission to protect Australia and Australians from threats to their security.
ASIO's Technologist Graduate Program is a dynamic and fast-paced 12-month program with intakes in early & mid-2028. The program will set you on a pathway for a career with purpose.
We are seeking university students who have completed their degree before the intake commences, or graduates from the past 3 years who are passionate about technology, continuous learning and working collaboratively to make a difference. As a Technologist Graduate, you will be assigned to one of the following streams:
- Science & Engineering
- Data & Analytics
- Information & Cyber Security
- Software Engineering & Development
- IT Platforms
The 12-month program will equip you with the skills, experience and knowledge to undertake a wide range of technical roles and to establish a diverse and rewarding career at ASIO.
As a Technologist Graduate, you will complete 3 workplace rotations designed to showcase the breadth of work that ASIO undertakes.
Below is a snapshot of some of the work you may be involved in while on the graduate program:
- Working with industry and domestic partners to investigate, implement and manage new capabilities, networks and technologies.
- Assist in data and AI lifecycle management from acquisition through to sharing and disposal, applying best practice AI and data‑governance frameworks.
- Collaborating with business users to develop high-quality, high-performance software solutions within an agile environment.
- Advancing unique solutions to exploit technically-collected data, including through the use of machine learning and neural networks.
- Reducing the attack surface and assure the ongoing security posture of IT infrastructure.
- Undertaking reverse engineering activities.
- Supporting cyber security investigations.
- Conducting forensic analysis of digital media.
- Providing technical collection capabilities, including telecommunications interceptions.
- Undertaking complex data analysis and innovative visualisation to aid investigations.
- Evaluating technical surveillance countermeasures.
- Engineering high-end mechanical and electrical solutions.
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.
What you will bring
We are seeking candidates with the following attributes:
- Adaptability
- Curiosity
- Commitment to learning
- 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:
- Cloud Computing
- Data Engineering, Data Science or Data Analytics
- Software or Computer Systems Engineering
- Cyber Security
- Network Engineering
- Computer Science
- Information Technology or Information Systems
- Digital Forensics
- Electrical/Electronic Engineering
- Mathematics or Statistics
- Telecommunications
- Data or AI management
- Project Management or Business Analysis with an ICT focus
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, 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).
- Mentoring opportunities.
Eligibility
To be eligible to work at ASIO, you must:
- an Australian citizen
- assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access (TSPA) 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:
Succinct responses to the questions below:
- Tell us why you are interested in applying for the Technologist Graduate Program.
- Tell us about a technical ‘passion project' you've been involved in. This can be a personal initiative, tertiary related or other. We want to understand what your technical interests are, what drives you and how you apply it. Feel free to be as technical as you like.
- In our workplace the rate of technical change means there's a premium on knowledge sharing. How important is learning and communicating to you?
- 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. 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. ASIO will not contact your referees without advising you prior to doing so.
Read the ASIO People Capability Framework and Core Capability Guide, available on ASIO's website. Ensure your responses address 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 recognise some applicants may use AI technologies to draft applications or prepare for interviews. If you wish to use AI, we recommend doing this only for initial drafts and ensure that your application is personalised and accurately reflects your skills, experience and qualifications.
Additionally, be aware of the privacy policies of any AI tool you use. Be mindful of the information you are entering into AI tools (personal details, work history, etc) and how using it may link you to potential ASIO employment, noting that you are expected to be discrete and maintain confidentiality with your application.
If you are invited to attend interview, the use of AI tools and recording devices during interview is strictly prohibited. Should AI tools or recording services be detected, your application, and any future applications may be discontinued.
The recruitment selection process – timeframes
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.
As we are recruiting for the 2027 & 2028 Technologist Graduate Program, candidates can expect the following timeframes for the recruitment selection process:
- Program advertised July and closes Monday 27 July 2026.
- Assessment Centers will likely run in September and October.
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)
ASIO has achieved the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold Standard in 2024, 2025 and 2026, 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.
