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. ASIO officers’ identities are protected by law. Under section 92 of the ASIO Act, the only declared ASIO officers are the Director-General and Deputy Directors-General. Due to the need to protect our people’s identities, 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.

The Opportunity

As a Psychologist within ASIO you will deliver comprehensive psychological services using your expertise in formulation, assessment and intervention, incorporating your knowledge of evidence-based practice to inform your work. You will be collaborative in your approach and able to demonstrate excellent ethical boundaries and discretion, sound judgement, effective communication, adaptability and the ability to build effective relationships. Some domestic travel may be required. We are recruiting for psychologists across a range of levels, from AE5 to AEE1.Your responsibilities could include including psychological assessments and advice in the recruitment of applicants to ASIO, assessment and management of personnel security risk, staff counselling, operational support and training delivery. This is an opportunity for highly capable, dedicated, adaptable and resilient individuals to develop their career within a dynamic and supportive environment.

Role responsibilities

Psychologists deliver a range of psychological services within ASIO. Irrespective of your level, some domestic travel may be required. Dependent on organisational needs, you will commence in one of the following roles:

• Employee support (counselling, assessment, psychoeducation, brief interventions).

• Security vetting (assessments for suitability to hold a high-level security clearance).

Your role at the AE5 (APS5 equivalent) and AE6 (APS6 equivalent) levels may include:

• Performing a range of psychological assessments, including risk assessment, that may include direct and indirect methodology.

• Providing psychological advice to the organisation in support of recruitment and management.

• Providing counselling and brief interventions to staff.

• Supporting the development and delivery of training.

• Building and sustaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Providing other services and specialist input to the organisation on psychological issues.

• Undertaking research and project work.

Your role at the AEE1 (EL1 equivalent) level may include these additional tasks:

• Identifying and forecasting organisational trends and recommending psychological responses.

• Implementing and supporting policy change.

• Providing advice on the management of individuals in support of security requirements.

• Overseeing the delivery of psychological advice and support.

• Driving the development and delivery of training programs.

• Leading and supporting other psychologists, including providing supervision and guidance.

• Promoting psychology with stakeholders in support of business outcomes.

• Proposing/designing behavioural science research and projects.

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.

What you will bring

As a psychologist within ASIO, you will use your assessment, intervention and research skills. You will be collaborative, resilient, sensitive to ethical issues and boundaries, able to exercise sound judgement, and have strong motivation to achieve and deliver outcomes. As an integral part of ASIO’s team, you will work closely with a range of co-workers and stakeholders to deliver outcomes consistent with the organisation’s practice and values, and contribute to its mission.

You will possess the following key attributes:

• Experience in conducting psychological assessments, direct and indirect, using case formulation methodology.

• Training and experience in clinical, forensic or organisational assessment and intervention.

• Demonstrated training and experience in the assessment, treatment and management of mental health problems.

• Ability to provide psychological opinion and advice to support organisation decision-making.

• Knowledge, skills, and experience in effectively managing staff.

• Strong ethical boundaries and well-developed problem-solving skills.

• Interpersonal competence and effective communication skills - both verbal and written.

• Demonstrated ability to work well in teams.

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.

• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

ASIO also provides a number of benefits to our psychologists including:

• AE5 to AEE1 level psychologists are eligible for financial support for ongoing professional development, payment of Australian Psychological Society (APS) membership (if applicable) and professional registration fees.

• AE6 to AEE1 level psychologists may be eligible for an additional allowance of 10%, 20%, or 30% on top of the base salary amount under the ASIO Psychologist Incentive Scheme (dependent on qualifications and experience).

• AE6 to AEE1 level psychologists may be eligible for an additional allowance of 5% or 10% on top of the base salary amount under the annual retention bonus scheme (dependent on qualifications and experience).

Eligibility

To be eligible for the role, you must:

• Be an Australian citizen.

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

• Hold general registration as a psychologist (unconditional) with the Psychology Board of Australia; and,

• Possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in Clinical, Forensic or Organisational Psychology.

In addition, the following levels must have the following experience:

• AE5: at least 2 years post-registration experience.

• AE6: at least 5 years post-registration experience.

• AEE1: at least 8 years post-registration 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

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. This may include reasonable adjustments to assessment methodologies to enable full participation.

Location

As Australia’s security service, we advertise positions nationally to seek candidates from across the country.

Canberra is the preferred location for these positions with limited opportunities in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, these are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please indicate in your application if you have a preferred work location, and where relevant, if you are prepared to relocate to Canberra. Assistance is provided to successful applicants where ASIO requires you to relocate.

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 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.

Use of AI in recruitment processes

ASIO does not use any form of artificial intelligence at any point in the recruitment process. All applications are reviewed by a selection panel.

We acknowledge some candidates may wish to use AI tools to support drafting their applications or to assist in preparing for interviews. If you choose to use AI tools, you should consider the following:

• Ensure your application is accurate and a true representation of your skills and experience.

• Ensure your application reflects your genuine voice. Review and personalise it.

• Consider the privacy and data security implications of using any AI tool. Read and understand their privacy policies and data use terms.

• ASIO requires applicants to not disclose their application status and requires officers to be discrete about their employment. Consider how any information you enter into an AI tool may link you to potential employment with ASIO or impact future employment.  

Closing date and time

Monday 23 March at 11:59pm AEDT

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

ASIO has achieved the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold Standard in 2024 and 2025, recognising ASIO’s inclusion work and positive culture. ASIO was the first Australian intelligence agency to achieve this status.

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