Project Graduate Management Program 2028

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. We are culturally and linguistically diverse, language skills enhance our collective ability to protect Australia. 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 a career at an intelligence agency where you can contribute and make a difference to the security of Australia? ASIO’s Project Management Graduate Program is a 12-month program, commencing in early 2028.

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 project management.

Fields of study we are looking for include, but are not limited to:

• Project management

• Technology

• Business

The program will equip you with the specialised skills, knowledge and experience to undertake a range of project management roles in a number of placements across enterprise technology solutions business areas.

On program, you will:

• Work alongside colleagues to offer insights into systems, platforms and services that support our ICT delivery goals.

• Support the delivery of cutting-edge ICT projects by assisting in the planning, execution, and closure phases of the project lifecycle.

• Provide day-to-day project support, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, taking minutes, maintaining comprehensive project documentation and preparing briefs.

• Work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to identify and document requirements, provide regular status updates, and build positive professional relationships across IT, security, finance, and HR areas.

• Assist in tracking project finances and Commonwealth fund approvals, while contributing to the identification and mitigation of project and information security risks.

• Utilise ASIO’s information systems to create, store, and share critical project data efficiently and securely.

Over the 12-month program, we will guide and mentor you, enabling you to gain unique experience across ASIO, and to build connections with graduates across the National Intelligence Community.

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 professional development

• Honesty

• Integrity

• Problem solving

• Resilience

• Teamwork

We are seeking candidates with the following capabilities:

• Ability to work collaboratively

• Capacity to think critically and laterally in solving problems

• Flexibility to adapt to emerging issues, events and environments

• Personal qualities that exemplify ASIO’s values and expected behaviour.

Eligibility

To be eligible to work at ASIO, 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 (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. 

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).

• Mentoring opportunities. 

Location

Canberra, ACT.

We advertise positions nationally to reach the broadest audience. Please refer to the above location before applying. 

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 addressing the following questions:

• Why are you applying for the project management graduate program?
• What skills, knowledge and experience will you bring to the Organisation?
• Why have you chosen a career in ASIO?

• 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 supervisor. 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 artificial intelligence in recruitment processes

ASIO does not use any form of artificial intelligence (AI) 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 project management 2028 intake, candidates can expect the following timeframes for the recruitment selection process:

• Program advertised in October 2026 and closes Monday, 18 January 2027.

• Assessment centres will likely run in March 2027.

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, 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.