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 information about diversity and inclusion at ASIO.

The opportunity

The newly established TOP SECRET-Privileged Access (TS-PA) Vetting Authority will centralise Australia’s highest-level security clearance functions within ASIO over the coming years. Successful applicants will play an instrumental role in building this new capability, established to help protect Australia from the threat of espionage and foreign interference.

If you are looking to grow a career in the National Intelligence Community, now is an exciting time to join ASIO and play a key role as we scale our security clearance vetting capability with multiple new AEE1 (EL1 equivalent) leadership positions. We are looking for:

• Leaders with a genuine passion for continuous learning.
• Existing team leaders or mentors from within personnel vetting (Government or private).
• High performers with leadership exposure within a service delivery environment.
• Experienced analysts within intelligence, cyber or Defence looking for their next move.

We are looking for people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, who can bring transferrable skills from professions including, but not limited to:

• Human resources or procurement.
• Defence government or policy.
• Psychology or counselling.
• Complex office management or business administration.
• Consulting or contracting.

Applicants seeking a career move within the next 12 months are encouraged to apply now.

A merit pool may be created to fill future vacancies. The merit pool will be valid for up to 18 months.

Role responsibilities

As an integral part of the leadership team, successful applicants will contribute to the ongoing growth of the Vetting Authority with a focus on continuous improvement, project management and delivery. Role responsibilities include:

• Providing leadership and support to a team of 6 to 10 analysts or administrators, while fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
• Ensuring vetting services are delivered in compliance with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
• Coordinating the use of external service providers, including contractors and consultants.
• Applying detailed knowledge of security clearance vetting processes, standards and risk frameworks to make well-reasoned judgements on complex cases and provide effective quality assurance reviews of vetting recommendations and decisions.
• Building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships with sponsoring agencies to manage personnel and insider threat-specific risks.
• Providing oversight of secure storage and administration of sensitive personnel security records.

What you will bring

We invite applications from people with the following attributes:

• Demonstrated ability to build capability and lead teams to deliver against organisational goals.
• Highly developed attention to detail, discretion and organisational skills.
• Demonstrated capability to operate effectively in a changing environment.
• Ability to lead and manage a technical capability or service delivery team.
• Ability to communicate with influence and build productive working relationships.
• Ability to apply evidence-based decision-making and communicate recommendations and reasons in a clear, concise and articulate manner.
• Ability to develop an understanding of the legal framework that governs ASIO operations, the security culture and rigour required.

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 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).
• 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.
• Assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance.

ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome and value 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.

Reasonable adjustments

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.

Location

These positions are located in Canberra. Relocation assistance is provided to successful candidates where ASIO requires you to relocate.

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

How to apply

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 using examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the requirements for the position.
• 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.
• Details of 2 referees, which must include a current or previous manager – ideally within the last two years.

Before applying you should familiarise yourself with 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 AEE1 capabilities and levels outlined in these frameworks. Please note, it is not necessary to address each of the capability criteria individually in your application.

You will need to demonstrate what you bring to the position in relation to the criteria below:

• Strategic Thinking
• Achieves Results
• Productive Working Relationships
• Personal Drive & Integrity
• Demonstrated Skills & Experience.

Consider ASIO’s People Capability Framework and Core Capability Guide, and the position description and classification level you are applying.

Closing date and time

Monday 28 April 2025, 5:00pm AEST.

No extensions will be granted and late applications will not be accepted.

The Recruitment Selection Process – what to expect

We thank all applicants for their interest in applying for a position with the Vetting Authority. 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 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.

Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI)

In 2024, ASIO achieved the AWEI Gold Standard, recognising ASIO’s inclusion work and positive culture. ASIO was one of only 7 public sector employers, and the first Australian intelligence agency, to achieve this status.

The ASIO Diversity and Inclusion Strategy reflects ASIO’s commitment and recognises the benefits of being a diverse and inclusive organisation. For further information about ASIO’s Diversity and Inclusion networks, please visit: www.asio.gov.au/about/diversity-and-inclusion.

Enquiries

If you require further information after reading the selection documentation, please contact ASIO Recruitment at [email protected] or phone 02 6263 7888.

More information

For more information about ASIO, please visit: www.asio.gov.au.