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
As an intelligence professional, you will have a diverse and rewarding career, making a difference every day. You will embrace the complexity of the security environment, confront challenges and drive investigative outcomes that make real world change. With your team, you will collect information and use your critical thinking and communication skills to connect the dots – to stop terrorists and catch spies.
Your role will place you at the centre of the intelligence cycle – you will:
- Assess and validate incoming information.
- Direct investigative action to mitigate emerging threats.
- Play a critical role in delivering accurate, relevant, and timely intelligence to support informed decision-making.
ASIO is seeking applications for Intelligence Analysts for the 2027 and 2028 intakes. Successful candidates will undertake a 12-month development program with comprehensive training in intelligence assessment, analysis and advice. Participants will develop the fundamental skills and knowledge required to gain an Intelligence Analyst licence. This is also the entry point for those seeking a career as an Intelligence Officer, an internally selected program offering training in the collection of human intelligence (HUMINT).
As an Intelligence Analyst you will have the opportunity to build 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 identification and mitigation of national security issues, and deliver impactful advice and assessments that inform government, national security partners and industry.
ASIO Intelligence Analysts are proactive team players who work together to drive outcomes. We encourage you to apply if you are curious and creative, have good judgement, are a critical thinker and enjoy working with a dynamic team.
Find out more about working at ASIO.
Opportunities for licenced ASIO Intelligence Analysts
Once you have obtained an Intelligence Analyst licence, there are multiple opportunities to specialise or to further develop your skills. Intelligence professionals in ASIO regularly move positions, meaning you can have many jobs within the Organisation.
Following the 12-month training, you may be placed in:
- Discovery. Finding the crucial piece of intelligence in a large dataset, discovering the ‘unknown unknowns'.
- Investigations. Taking one piece of security intelligence and finding how it fits into the big picture, to uncover the individuals seeking to harm Australia.
- Strategic analysis. Appling high-level analytical tradecraft to identify early indicators of change in the security environment and generating advice for decision-makers at all levels of Government.
- Targeting analysis. Employing specialised analytical tradecraft to identify, develop, and enhance operational opportunities and outcomes.
- Threat analysis. Using a range of information sources to build thematic expertise and develop an understanding of threats to Australia and Australians.
The skills and context you gain as an Intelligence Analyst are crucial to becoming an Intelligence Officer. Before applying to be an Intelligence Officer, all applicants will complete a minimum two-year domestic posting. You will further develop your skills, gain critical corporate knowledge with on-the-job experience, and develop a deep understanding of the security environment – all of which will help you in the field.
Intelligence Officers meet with members of different communities to help mitigate security threats, while also building ongoing confidential relationships with people to collect information to assist ASIO to achieve its mission. As an Intelligence Officer you will be trained in human intelligence (HUMINT) skills, equipping you to collect privileged information from valued human sources to inform security intelligence requirements.
It takes a team with a mix of skills to collect the dots and connect the dots. No matter what role you are in, you will contribute to our mission and our success. A multitude of careers in ASIO are unlocked via an Intelligence Analyst licence, allowing you to find your fit.
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 invite applications from people with the following attributes:
- 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:
- Significant training and development as part of a 12-month development 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, 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 be:
- an Australian citizen.
- assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access (TS-PA) security clearance.
- candidates who apply for subsequent Intelligence Officer training must have an Australian drivers licence. This criteria only applies
following the completion of Intelligence Analyst training and a defined period of employment.
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
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. Intelligence professionals at ASIO rotate through different postings, which may require you to move cities.
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 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 written 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 your current manager and a 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):
- Strategic Thinking.
- Achieves Results.
- Productive Working Relationships.
- Personal Drive and Integrity.
- Communicates with Influence.
- Demonstrated skills and experience relevant to the role.
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.
Suitability assessments are valid for 24 months. Candidates found unsuitable during the assessment process will not be eligible to reapply for the Intelligence Development Program for a period of 24 months. If you have previously applied since June 2024, we encourage you to confirm your eligibility before reapplying.
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 Intelligence Development Program, Intelligence Analyst 2027 and 2028 intakes, candidates can expect the following timeframes for the recruitment selection process:
- Program advertised 18 May 2026 to 15 June 2026.
- Online testing will run July through to August 2026.
- Assessment centres will likely run from August through to November 2026.
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.
