Graduate Lawyer Program (Jan 2025)

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 values diversity and believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation and growth. We are 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, neurodiversity 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 about diversity and inclusion at ASIO.

The Opportunity

The Graduate Lawyer Program is aimed at law graduates interested in a career that provides experience across a wide range of legal areas and who want to have a meaningful impact on the delivery of the Organisation’s mission. The work ranges from providing real time legal advice on ASIO operations, through to legislative reform, administrative and corporate law advice and litigation. This is a role that will offer a diverse range of opportunities providing foundational training and experience as a government lawyer.

The one-year structured program will expose you to all the different areas of law practised in ASIO’s Legal Services division. If you have not already completed your practical legal training course for admission to practice in Australia, ASIO will sponsor and support completion of the course as part of the graduate program. The program may offer opportunities to work interstate for short periods. 

On successful completion of the program you will be an AE5 (APS5 equivalent) ASIO lawyer, and to consolidate your legal training you will be placed in one of the legal specialisation areas such as operations, administrative/corporate law or litigation. Further opportunities will be provided to move across the division and interstate to broaden your legal experience and support ongoing legal professional development.

The Graduate Lawyer Program commences in early 2025.

What you will bring

Preferred candidates will possess the following attributes:

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and consult stakeholders proactively.
• Ability to demonstrate a client focus.
• Established research skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

What we offer you

ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including:

• Significant training and development as part of a 12-month development program which includes extensive on-the-job experience, as well as internal, external and online legal and professional training.
• A competitive salary, including a 7.5 per cent allowance for maintaining a Top-Secret security clearance.
• Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4 per cent.
• A variety of leave options, in addition to the standard four weeks annual leave to ensure your work-life balance.
• Flexible working hours/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.
• Seven staff-led diversity and inclusion networks.
• Mentoring opportunities.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Eligibility 

To be eligible to apply for the program you must meet the following requirements:

• Be an Australian citizen.
• Have gained a Bachelor of Laws or a Juris Doctor from an Australian tertiary institution (or a comparable domestic or overseas qualification) by commencement of the program, and completed no more than four years before the program starts.
• Be eligible to enrol in a practical legal training course that leads to admission in Australia, eligible for admission in Australia, or admitted to practice in Australia.
• Be willing and able to relocate to Canberra (for interstate applicants).
• Be assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a Top Secret security clearance at the highest level.

Location

The Graduate Lawyer Program is located in Canberra and applicants must be willing to relocate. Relocation assistance is provided to successful candidates where ASIO requires you to relocate.

Following successful completion of the program, there may be opportunities to undertake roles in other capital cities depending on organisational priorities.