Project Officer (Traineeship) (Jan 2026)

Position Details	Reference: VAN 076-2024/2025
Title	Project Officer (Traineeship)
Location	Canberra, ACT
Commencement Dates	The program commences early 2026
Classification	AE2 (APS 2 equivalent) – upon commencement   AE3 (APS3 equivalent) – after 12 months  AE4 (APS 4 equivalent) – upon successful program completion of the 2-year program.
Salary Range	$68,841 – $76,257 (including service allowance) plus 15.4% superannuation – 1st year.  $78,276 – $85,529 (including service allowance) plus 15.4% superannuation – 2nd year.  $88,512 – $94,964 (including service allowance) plus 15.4% superannuation upon completion of the 24-month program.
Closing date and time	Monday 03 March 2025 at 5:00 pm AEDT

 

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 about ASIOs commitment to diversity and inclusion on our website. 

The opportunity 

Are you seeking a career at an intelligence agency where you can contribute and make a difference to the security of Australia? Do you have an interest in a career in Project Management?  

ASIO is offering an exciting opportunity to join our Project Officer – Traineeship Program, commencing early 2026. As a trainee, you will be supported to complete a Certificate IV in Project Management Practice as well as receive on-the-job mentoring and professional development opportunities.  

The program will showcase the breadth of work that ASIO undertakes and set you on a pathway for a career with purpose. 

Trainees commence at the ASIO Employee Level 2 (APS2 equivalent), progressing to ASIO Employee Level 3 (APS3 equivalent), after the first 12 months and promoted to ASIO Employee Level 4 (APS4 equivalent), on successful completion of the program.  

During the 24-month program, you will: 

• Complete multiple work placements in different parts of the Organisation, to build your networks across various business areas and learn new skills’; and
• Be supported throughout your studies by a dedicated mentor and have access to a range of organisational support mechanisms.
• Additionally, you will learn how to support project teams by:
• Contributing to planning and delivery of critical projects;
• Contributing to various projects at all stages of the project lifecycle, including; inception, planning, delivery and closure;
• Communicating effectively in a fast-paced and exciting environment; and
• Competently using numerous ASIO information systems to deliver the required organisational outcomes.

Role responsibilities  

As a Project Officer Trainee, you will:  

• Assist ASIO’s Project Managers to deliver state-of-the-art technology projects;
• Assist ASIO’s Project Managers in providing up-to-date advice to stakeholders, users and ASIO executives;
• Assist in identifying and documenting stakeholder needs and requirements, and provide support in the development of capability requirements;
• Contribute to project risk management activities to enable project success;
• Assist ASIO’s Project Managers in the tracking of project finances, including preparing documentation, and seeking approval to spend Commonwealth funds;
• Utilise ICT systems to create, organise, assess, store and share critical project and technology information;
• Assist with monitoring document security and assess risks to information security;
• Assist with the planning of project activities and establish task plans; and
• Build effective relationships with teams across diverse work domains such as IT, security, operations, finance, HR and facilities management.

What you will bring 

We invite applications from people with the following attributes: 

• An interest in developing new skills and starting a career in project management.
• The ability to learn and adhere to ASIO’s Security practices.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Willingness to be open to new ways of thinking and working.
• Excellent organisation skills.
• Enthusiasm and willingness to work collaboratively to contribute to team goals.
• Strong attention to detail.

What we offer you  

ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including: 

• Significant training and development opportunities.
• 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. During the traineeship, part-time working arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis and may require 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.
• Tailored 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.

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 

The Project Officer – Traineeship is Canberra-based and applicants must be willing to relocate. Relocation assistance is provided to successful candidates. 

How to apply 

Click on ‘Apply online’ to commence your application. Your application must be complete and include the following: 

• A written pitch, addressing the following questions (no more than 500 words):

1. Why do you consider ASIO’s Project Officer – Traineeship to be a good career opportunity for you? In your response describe:
2. Why are you applying?
3. What are you looking for out of the traineeship?

• What do you think you could bring to the Organisation?
• An up-to-date CV, no more than two pages in length.
• Details of 2 referees, which must include a current or previous manager.

*Your written pitch should reference ASIO’s People Capability Framework and with consideration of the role description and classification level you are applying for. 

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. 

Closing date and time 

Monday 03 March 2025 at 5:00 pm AEDT 

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 Project Officer - Traineeship 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. 

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. 

The Recruitment Selection Process – Timeframes 

As we are recruiting for the early 2026 intake, candidates can expect the following approximate timeframes for the recruitment selection process: 

• Program advertised – from December 2024 to March 2025.
• Assessment Centers – April to May 2025.
• Notification to candidates – June to August 2025.
• Program commences – early 2026.

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. 

More information 

For more information about ASIO, please visit our website.