Job type
Business & Corporate Services
Location
Canberra
Category
Ongoing - Permanent
Job reference
01520262027
Salary
$91,521 - $125,060
Closing date
05-Oct-2026
Description
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
We are seeking motivated individuals to join our Recruitment teams across multiple levels, from AE4 to AE6 (APS4–APS6 equivalent). Whether you are an experienced recruiter, a human resources (HR) specialist, or looking to transition into the field, this is an opportunity to contribute to the growth of ASIO.
Depending on your skills, background and aspirations, there are two primary pathways within our team:
- Recruitment officers support the recruitment of specialist intelligence, technical, and corporate roles. You will also manage high-priority initiatives such as our Graduate, Traineeship and entry level programs. As a key representative of the agency, you will often serve as the first point of contact for prospective candidates and may act as the 'face' of ASIO during virtual and in-person recruitment events. Working collaboratively with business areas across the Organisation, you will help identify critical resourcing needs to ensure we attract and secure the best and brightest talent for ASIO.
- Workforce Coordination focuses on the operational management of our people. In this role, you will use your coordination and people management skills to facilitate the internal workforce lifecycle. This includes managing mobility, transfers and promotions for existing staff, as well as ensuring a seamless onboarding experience for new starters. Additionally, you will contribute to the continuous improvement of the policies and systems that support our team.
Together, these functions ensure that ASIO attracts the best talent and provides the relevant support necessary to sustain our mission.
ASIO looks for candidates who are curious, resilient and enjoy problem solving. To be successful in these roles, you will have highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, be a strong collaborator, the ability to be versatile, and be a quick learner across diverse recruitment functions.
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.
Responsibilities
As an AE4 Officer, you will:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for candidates, employees, and hiring managers; providing essential guidance and maintaining qualified relationships.
- Manage the end-to-end talent pipeline, from coordinating interviews and vetting, to contractor engagements, merit pools, and onboarding.
- Oversee data integrity by maintaining HR databases, tracking tools, and corporate records to support daily operations.
- Ensure all actions adhere strictly to security protocols, privacy requirements, and legislative HR policies.
- Support HR projects and proactively identify opportunities to streamline administrative workflows and increase efficiency.
As an AE5 Officer, you will:
- Lead the end-to-end talent process, overseeing targeted advertising, large-scale assessment centres, and complex mobility actions (including secondments and Memoranda of Understanding).
- Manage senior stakeholder relationships, providing informed guidance on workforce processes and ensuring a high-standard candidate experience.
- Mentor and guide AE4 staff, providing day-to-day support and oversight to ensure team goals are met.
- Deliver advanced data analysis and reporting, translating workforce metrics into professional briefings for senior management.
- Drive operational excellence by owning standard operating procedures and leading continuous improvement initiatives to streamline HR workflows.
As an AE6 Officer, you will:
- Partner with senior officers and business areas to determine recruitment requirements and align workforce strategies with the Organisation's overarching strategic agenda.
- Build strong relationships with senior management and external partners, providing high-level advice and representing the Organisation at strategic forums and industry events.
- Lead the end-to-end talent acquisition and workforce coordination processes, ensuring they are optimised for efficiency and align with broader organisational objectives.
- Drive the redesign of recruitment processes and tools, analysing complex workforce trends to provide strategic recommendations and reporting for senior executive audiences.
- Mentor and coach junior staff, serving as the primary point of escalation for complex matters and managing high-sensitivity workforce requests with absolute discretion.
- Champion positive workforce outcomes by reviewing internal policies and ensuring strict adherence to APS legislation, HR policies, and security requirements.
What you will bring
We are seeking candidates with the following capabilities:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Sound decision making and judgement skills
- Ability to operate in a high tempo environment
- Demonstrated ability to prioritise work
- A high level of accuracy and attention to detail
- A strong commitment to work collaboratively in a busy and dedicated team.
You are not required to address each capability separately in your application. Consider providing examples that illustrate multiple capabilities at once.
Refer to ASIO's Core Capability Framework to understand what is expected at each level for each capability.
Skills and qualifications
- At the AE4 and AE5 levels, work experience in a related field and/or demonstration of transferable skills is desirable but not mandatory.
- At the AE6 level, Recruitment or Talent Acquisition experience and HR skills and experience are highly desirable but not mandatory.
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).
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.
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.
Apply online' to commence your application. Your application must be complete and include the following:
- A written pitch of up to 500 words that addresses the required capabilities for the role. Use examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the capabilities.
- 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 have undertaken.
- Details of 2 referees, which must include a current or former supervisor. ASIO will not contact your referees without advising you prior to doing so.
Before applying read the ASIO People Capability Framework and Core Capability Guide, both available on the ASIO website. To increase your chances of success, tailor your application responses to align with 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
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.
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.
📌 Recruitment and Workforce Coordination Officers (Canberra)
🏢 Asio
📍 Canberra