Human Resources Graduate Program (Jan 2026)

Title	Human Resources Graduate Program 2026
Location	Canberra, ACT
Commencement Dates	The program will have two intakes Early 2026 Mid-year 2026
Classification Level	AE4 (APS 4 equivalent) – upon commencement  AE5 (APS 5 equivalent) – upon successful program completion
Salary Range	$88,512 - $94,964 (including service allowance) for the first 12 months,  plus 15.4% superannuation. $97,122 - $104,249 (including service allowance) upon successful completion of the 12-month program, plus 15.4% superannuation.
Contact	Recruitment  Email: careers@asio.gov.au Phone: 02 6263 7888
Closing date and time	Monday 7 April 2025 at 5:00 pm AEST

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.

The Opportunity

Are you seeking an exceptional career where you can contribute and make a difference to the security of Australia?

The ASIO Human Resources Graduate Program is a dynamic 12-month program with intakes in both early and mid-2026. 

The program will showcase the breadth of Human Resources (HR) work that ASIO undertakes and set graduates on a pathway for a career with purpose. 

We are seeking university students who will have completed their degree before the intake commences, or graduates from the past 3 years, who are looking for a meaningful career in HR.

Over 12 months, we will guide and mentor you, enabling further development of your skills and knowledge which will support you in contributing to ASIO’s mission. You will undertake placements across a number of HR areas giving you opportunities to work alongside colleagues throughout the organisation. They include, but are not limited to:

• Learning and Development.
• Recruitment and Selection.
• Human Resource Management.
• Human Resource Strategy.
• Diversity and Inclusion.
• Employment Relations.
• Workplace Health and Safety.
• Performance Management.
• Workforce Planning, Metrics, and Reporting.
• Rewards Management.

On successful completion of the program, you will be promoted to the AE5 level (APS5 equivalent). 

A merit pool may be created to fill future vacancies that have the same or similar requirements as this position. This merit pool will be valid for up to 18 months.

What you will bring

You will bring a diverse range of skills, qualifications, and life experience.  We invite applications from people with the following attributes: 

• Ability to operate independently and in teams.
• Ability to build productive relationships across ASIO and with external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate good interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to demonstrate a client focus.
• Have exceptional judgment and the ability to provide advice to the business.
• Personal qualities that exemplify ASIO’s values and expected behaviours.

What we offer you 

ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including:

• Significant training and development as part of a 12-month graduate program. 
• A competitive salary, including a 7.5% allowance for maintaining TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance.
• Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4%.
• A variety of leave options, in addition to the standard 4 weeks of annual leave ensure your work-life balance.
• Flexible working arrangements to assist you in maintaining your work-life balance. (Please note: due to our unique working environment, work-from-home options are generally not available. During the graduate program, part-time working arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis and may require an extension of the program in order to be accommodated).
• 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).
• A copy of your academic transcript.
• Details of 2 referees, which must include a current or previous manager.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for a role, you must be:

• An Australian citizen.
• Have completed your degree before the program commences, or graduated in the past 3 years.
• 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 adjustments 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

The Human Resources Graduate 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.

We advertise positions nationally to ensure everyone has an opportunity to apply. As a result, some external advertising platforms may display other capital cities, but the actual position location may vary. 

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 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.

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 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

Monday 7 April 2025 at 5:00 pm 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 the Human Resources Graduate Program. 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.

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.

The Recruitment Selection Process – Timeframes

As we are recruiting for early and mid-2026 intakes, candidates can expect the following timeframes for the recruitment selection process:

• The program is advertised from February to April 2025.
• Assessment Centres will likely be held in May 2025.
• Candidates notified of outcomes in June 2025.

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 the 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 careers@asio.gov.au or phone 02 6263 7888.

More information

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