The key duties of the position include:

About the Opportunities The acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines is an historic and transformative endeavour for Australia. The whole-of-nation effort to safely and securely deliver the cutting edge nuclear-powered submarine program will transform Australia’s economic and national security landscape for decades to come.

We have APS 5 opportunities available across a range of roles focused on strategic and international policy; Defence capability analysis; and strategic communications and engagement within Policy, Strategy and Engagement Division of the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA). These roles sit at the center of the ASA’s delivery of Australia’s most complex, high priority national defence program.

As an APS 5, you will help shape policy direction, and deliver high impact outcomes in a dynamic environment that operates across domestic and international contexts. The policy skills, strategic acumen, and both emerging leadership and management capabilities you will develop in these roles are highly valued across public and private sectors. The ASA actively invests in the professional and technical capabilities of our people.

Successful applicants will consolidate a credible record achievement in:

- Delivering high-quality strategic advice – supporting the development of complex policy, capability and program advice for Ministers, Cabinet and senior decision-makers to inform whole-of-government outcomes.
- Influencing and partnering – helping to shape outcomes through effective engagement, negotiation and collaboration with domestic and international stakeholders, including Commonwealth and State governments, and AUKUS partners.
- Driving whole-of-government outcomes – with the direction of managers, working closely with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Treasury, Department of Finance and other agencies to shape policy, funding and implementation decisions.
- Integrating complex inputs – supporting the synthesis of legal, technical and strategic advice to inform decision-making and program delivery.
- Building social licence – with the direction of managers, engaging transparently with communities and stakeholders to support informed public confidence and understanding of Australia’s Nuclear-Powered Submarine Program.
- Applying frameworks and stewardship – learn and practically apply whole-of-government policies, requirements and frameworks in all aspects of policy development and delivery.

These roles require flexibility, including working additional hours during peak periods and engaging with international partners across time zones. The ASA supports staff through FLEX and overtime provisions. Opportunities for domestic and international travel may arise.

Roles are primarily office based in Canberra (ACT), with some positions in Adelaide (SA) and Rockingham (WA).

Key duties

As an APS 5 your duties will include working with your managers to:





- Contribute to the development and delivery of whole-of-Program Cabinet submissions and influential policy and technical advice to Ministers, the Cabinet and its Committees, and the ASA’s Senior Executive.
- Support the development and implementation of policy, legal and technical outcomes across the Program.
- Support the development of world-first non-proliferation arrangements for Australia’s Program.
- Collaborate with international partners, and navigating engagement with the region, the global non-proliferation community and international organisations.
- Help to manage domestic and international engagements, visits and events.
- Assist in the planning of work.
- Prepare strategic public communications and engagement activities to build social licence.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships across government and externally.
- Candidates are encouraged to consider the type of role they would be most suitable for and tailor their applications accordingly.

About our Team The Policy, Strategy and Engagement Division shapes the strategic, domestic and international environment to enable delivery of Australia’s Nuclear Powered Submarine Program as part of Australia’s National Defence Strategy. The APS 5 vacancies are within the following three of five branches within the Division:

Strategy and Frameworks Branch

Leads whole-of-government strategy and policy frameworks, including:

- Driving AUKUS Pillar I government-to-government arrangements and agreements.
- Providing strategic advice on complex capability, commercial and policy challenges.
- Stewarding ASA’s Cabinet strategy, policy development, and programmatic advice to the Australian Government to inform its decision-making.

Strategic Engagement and Policy Branch

Leads national and international engagement to build trust and alignment, including:

- Through strategic policy, advance trilateral and high-level diplomatic priorities to advance Australia’s interests within AUKUS, and strengthen bipartisan and international support for the program.
- Leads national efforts to strengthen social licence, build public confidence in program activities and inspire the future workforce needed for delivery.
- Countering disinformation through transparent communication and engagement.

Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Branch

Leads Australia’s non-proliferation approach for Australia’s acquisition and operation of conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines, including:

- Developing and implementing safeguards policy that sets the highest non-proliferation standard, while protecting sensitive information and assets.
- Advocating for safeguards and non-proliferation equities across all phases of the Optimal Pathway.
- Serving as an interlocutor between whole-of-government agencies and regulators,



ensuring non proliferation policy and implementation considerations are balanced with operational and programmatic requirements, and integrated within Australia’s domestic frameworks.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are a energetic organization seeking employees who are agile, innovative and energised by high-paced work. We are seeking highly motivated and collaborative minded people who will have the opportunity to contribute to a once in a lifetime program.

We seek high-performing, conscientious and resilient APS 5 employees who can:

- Contribute to national outcomes with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
- Enjoy working with their managers to solve complex policy and capability challenges with pragmatic, risk-informed solutions while applying whole-of-government policy and frameworks.
- Provide clear and accurate written and verbal advice to influence positive Australian Government outcomes.
- Build and sustain strong working relationships with stakeholders across government, industry and our international partners.
- Work collaboratively and with initiative to enable teams and stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes.
- Adapt and align to the ASA’s priorities and nuclear mindset.
- Are flexible and enjoy working within and contributing to high-performing teams.
- Champion our inclusive, curious and empowered culture.

Eligibility

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

Getting to know the Australian Submarine Agency The Australian Submarine Agency was established on 1 July 2023 and is responsible and accountable for the management and oversight of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program. Australia’s acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS partnership will be critical to ensuring our Defence Force has the capabilities needed to keep Australians safe.

The Australian Submarine

Agency operates under the Defence portfolio and maintains strong linkages with the Department of Defence. Our workforce comprises a mixture of Australian Public Servants, Australian Defence Force members and contractors. At the Australian Submarine Agency, you will enjoy experiences and opportunities that, as an APS employee, you simply would not get in any other organisation. You are able to undertake interesting, challenging and unique work. This ranges from intelligence and strategic policy right through to human resources, communications, infrastructure and engineering, and information technology. As part of the Australian Submarine Agency you will be working at the cutting edge of capability delivery, supported by professionalisation pathways so you can continue to develop, along with unique and varied career opportunities. Our people are capable, committed and diverse. We support an inclusive culture that emphasises respect and collaboration and prioritises safety and security. Our greatest asset is our people.

We offer flexible working arrangements and a range of formal and informal professional development opportunities.

📌 Policy Officers, Capability Analysts, Strategic Communications Officers (Multiple Vacancies) (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Submarine Agency
📍 Canberra