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 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.

The opportunity

Exciting opportunities exist for suitably qualified Lawyers at the AEE2 (APS EL2 equivalent) level. We are looking for talented and dedicated lawyers who are strong leaders, excellent problem solvers, and collaborative colleagues to head up teams across various legal disciplines.

ASIO's Legal Services Division is a professional in-house legal practice providing expertise across a full range of legal services, including legal advice to support ASIO's operational and corporate functions, and to manage its representation in courts and tribunals. The Division works with international and domestic partners including law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and other Commonwealth and State departments and agencies. We provide on the job training and structured continuing legal education activities, and you can expect to get experience across the practice.

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.

Please note that these roles are primarily based in Canberra, with limited possible opportunities available in Melbourne and Sydney. See the ‘Location' section for further details.

Role responsibilities

We are looking for suitably qualified lawyers with excellent technical skills across one or more of these key areas:

Statutory interpretation.

Administrative law.

Criminal law and law enforcement.

Employment law.

Litigation and dispute resolution (civil and/or criminal inquiries).

Commercial law.

What you will bring

We invite applications from people with the following attributes:

Experience in providing excellent in-house legal services, ideally in a government, operational, law enforcement, regulatory, investigative or prosecutorial environment/context.

Experience in mentoring and developing staff to foster a supportive team environment.

A strong client focus, with a practical approach to engaging complex legal and policy issues in an evolving and uncertain environment.

Commitment to excellence and demonstrated leadership of high-performing teams that are required to meet critical deadlines.

The ability to foster and maintain a positive and collaborative work environment.

Familiarity with, or the ability to quickly become familiar with, key national security legislation.

Innovative thinking with strong strategic awareness, and a demonstrated ability to identify legal risk.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

What we offer you
ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including:

A competitive salary, including a 7.5 per cent allowance for maintaining a TOP SECRET

Privileged Access security clearance.

Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4 per cent.

A variety of leave options, in addition to the standard 4 weeks annual leave to ensure your work-life balance.

Flexible working arrangements. (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.

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.

Hold a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor from an Australian university (or comparable overseas qualification) and possess, or be eligible to possess, a current restricted practising certificate in your State or Territory of residence.

Have at least 7 years post admission experience in a legal practice, or comparable experience.

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 roles are based primarily out of Canberra, with opportunities available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide subject to organisational and operational priorities. Applicants must be willing to relocate. Relocation assistance is provided to successful applicants where ASIO requires you to relocate.

We advertise positions nationally to give everybody the opportunity to apply. Please refer to the above locations 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 800 words using examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role.

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 supervisor.

Before applying you should familiarise yourself with the and , 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.

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.

Closing date and time

Sunday 07 September 2025 at 11:59pm AEST

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

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

In 2024, ASIO achieved the Australian Workplace Equality Index (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. ASIO has proudly retained AWEI Gold Standard in 2025.

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: https://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.