Human Resources Graduate Program (Dec 2025)

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 Human Resources Graduate Program is a dynamic 12-month program with intakes in both early and mid-2025. The program will showcase the breadth of Human Resources (HR) work that ASIO undertakes and set graduates 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 HR. Over 12 months, 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 undertake placements across a number of HR areas giving you opportunities to work alongside colleagues throughout the organisation. They include, but are not limited to:

• Learning and Development.
• Recruitment and Selection.
• Human Resource Management.
• Human Resource Strategy.
• Diversity and Inclusion.
• Employment Relations.
• Workplace Health and Safety.
• Performance Management.
• Workforce Planning, Metrics, and Reporting.
• Rewards Management.

On successful completion of the program, you will be promoted to the AE5 level (APS5 equivalent).  

A merit pool 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.

What you will bring

You will bring with you a diverse range of skills, qualifications, and life experience.  We invite applications from people with the following attributes: 

• Ability to operate independently and in teams.
• Ability to build productive relationships across ASIO and with external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate good interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to demonstrate a client focus.
• Have exceptional judgment and the ability to provide advice to the business.
• 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 percent allowance for maintaining a Positive Vetting security clearance.
• Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4 percent.
• A variety of leave options, in addition to the standard 4 weeks annual leave 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 

While we're looking for attitude as much as aptitude, to be eligible to apply you must: 

• Be an Australian citizen.
• Have completed your degree before the program commences, or graduated in the past 3 years.
• Be assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a Positive Vetting security clearance.

Reasonable adjustments

Please advise us if you require any additional assistance to fully participate in the recruitment process or the workplace.

Location

The Human Resources 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.

The Recruitment Selection Process – what to expect

We thank all applicants for their interest in applying for the Human Resources 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.

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.

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.

Pre-register now and we will let you know once this opportunity opens!