Strategic Policy, Governance and Communications Graduate Program 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.

**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**
- 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.**Reasonable adjustments**

**Location**

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

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