Executive Assistant to First Assistant Director - General

The Organisation

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. ASIO’s people are ordinary Australians but they do extraordinary things – they are our most important asset.

To be successful, 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.

At a time when Australia’s security environment is dynamic, diverse and degrading, our work is more important than ever. Join the mission and make a difference every day.

The opportunity

Be part of the team that delivers critical executive support to a First Assistant Director-General at ASIO. As an Executive Assistant, you will be a strategic link in assisting senior leaders to focus on protecting Australia’s national security.

In a fast-paced, highly visible environment, you will contribute to mission outcomes and gain exposure to a variety of ASIO work and activities. You will work closely with other Executive Assistants and be part of a supportive network.

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.

Role responsibilities

As an AE5 Executive Assistant in ASIO, you will:

• Provide senior officers with seamless end-to-end administration and executive support that allows them to focus on mission-critical decisions.
• Monitor and track incoming documents to ensure correspondence is triaged and actioned accordingly.
• Liaise with stakeholders and assist with the resolution of moderately complex to complex policy, project or operational issues, responding to their needs and expectations as required.
• Provide administrative support in a timely manner, including but not limited to, printing and collating documents and other briefing material.
• React quickly and flexibly to any changes in the executive’s schedule, including rescheduling to achieve the required outcomes.
• Manage the preparation, collation and rapid distribution of meeting papers, minutes, reports and briefs to keep decision-makers informed and on schedule.
• Work closely and in conjunction with the Executive Support Network.
• Undertake other administration tasks and activities for the executive as required.

What you will bring

We are seeking candidates with the following capabilities:

• Excellent administration and organisational skills with attention to detail, thoroughness and consistency.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to meet timeframes, coordinate tasks effectively, multi-task and manage competing priorities.
• An exceptional level of professionalism, initiative and the ability to self-direct.
• Be highly organised, motivated, responsive and resilient.
• Deliver outcomes consistent with the Organisation’s practices and values.
• Demonstrate a can-do attitude, plus the initiative and discretion to manage the role effectively.

You are not required to address each capability separately in your application. Consider providing examples that illustrate multiple capabilities at once. Refer to ASIO’s Core Capability Framework to understand what is expected at each level for each capability.

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, including stand down between Christmas and New Year.
• Flexible working arrangements. Please note due to our unique working environment, work from home options are 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 to work at ASIO, you must be:

• an Australian citizen.
• assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access (TS-PA) security clearance.

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.

How to apply

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.

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 that addresses the required capabilities for the role. Use examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the capabilities.
• 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 have undertaken.
• Details of 2 referees, which must include a current or former supervisor. ASIO will not contact your referees without advising you prior to doing so.

Before applying read 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.

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 recognise some applicants may use AI technologies to draft applications or prepare for interviews. If you wish to use AI, we recommend doing this only for initial drafts and ensure that your application is personalised and accurately reflects your skills, experience and qualifications.

Additionally, be aware of the privacy policies of any AI tool you use. Be mindful of the information you are entering into AI tools (personal details, work history, etc) and how using it may link you to potential ASIO employment, noting that you are expected to be discrete and maintain confidentiality with your application.

If you are invited to attend interview, the use of AI tools and recording devices during interview is strictly prohibited. Should AI tools or recording services be detected, your application, and any future applications may be discontinued.

The recruitment selection process

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 may include application assessment, eligibility checks, online testing, skills-based assessment and interview.

We ask all applicants for their patience throughout the process.

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.

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

Pay: $100,425.00 – $107,794.00 per year

Work Location: In person