Be part of something bigger from day one
Our entry-level programs give school leavers, tertiary students and graduates opportunities to start their career at ASD.
Work experience programs for Year 11 and 12 students are also available.
We provide a practical and dynamic learning experience where you will engage with areas including information and communications technology (ICT), cyber security, intelligence and science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
You must be an Australian citizen to be eligible for our entry-level programs. Previous work experience is not required.
Be part of something bigger from day one and be supported to learn, develop and challenge yourself at ASD.
Our Graduate Program is for people who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline (recognised in Australia) within 5 years of commencing the program. You can apply in your final year of study.
You will be part of our diverse team of analysts, technical specialists, and skilled professionals, working together to overcome challenges in support of Australia’s national interests.
Diversity powers our mission. To achieve our goals, we require people with solid integrity and a mix of skills, passion, adaptability, resilience, curiosity and fresh thinking.
What you will do
You will work full-time on a range of tasks that makes a difference to Australia’s national security.
During the program, you will complete 3 rotations in different areas across the agency, allowing you to develop your skills and discover areas of interest whilst working in a unique and dynamic working environment.
ASD’s 12‑month Graduate Program offers 3 streams that provide a career pathway to match your area of interest. No matter your undergraduate discipline, from Accounting to Law, and Science to the Humanities, you can make a meaningful contribution to ASD and choose the path that inspires you:
- Analyst – apply analytical techniques to solve complex problems and inform critical decisions in support of Australia’s national interests.
- Cyber – protect Australia from cyber threats and disrupt cyber-enabled crime.
- Technologist – innovate, develop and maintain cutting-edge technical capabilities that underpin Australia’s national security.
Successful candidates commence the Graduate Program on a salary of $83,489 (including 4% Service Allowance), plus 15.4% superannuation.
On successful completion of the program, you will advance to a higher salary and progress to an ongoing ASD4 role relevant to your degree and interests.
How to apply
Applications for the 2027 ASD Graduate Program are open until Monday 6 April 2026.
Eligibility
You must:
- Be an Australian citizen.
- Have completed a minimum Bachelor degree within 5 years prior to commencing the program with a minimum credit average.
- Be prepared to undergo a comprehensive security assessment.
What the experience is like
“My graduate experience at ASD has been fantastic. A highlight so far was being offered the opportunity to become a subject matter expert on an intelligence issue and then lead a conversation with overseas intelligence partners. While I had the support of my team, being offered the responsibility and ownership of an overseas engagement was an experience I had not anticipated I would encounter so early in my journey.” – Isaiah, Intelligence
“I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to network and gain broad visibility of the organisation, and work in a variety of different teams. Everyone at ASD is very supportive of graduates, and always looks to support their skill development and corporate knowledge.” – Omar, Administration and Customer Service
“I have learnt things I never thought I would. I have developed so many new skills and made life-long friends and connections. I love knowing that my work is so meaningful and that I am contributing to something so much bigger.” – Channing, Intelligence
Be part of something bigger from day one and see how your degree can make a real impact on Australia’s national interests.
Our Cadetship Program is for students currently studying a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) degree at an Australian university, who have completed at least one semester (full-time equivalent), and will have a minimum of 12-months of study remaining when starting the program. Cadets are required to hold and maintain a minimum credit average at time of application and for the duration of the program.
You will be able to work and learn at the same time, putting theory into practice while kick-starting your career.
We will work with you to create a work schedule that supports your university studies and completion of the program.
What you will do
Cadets work part-time for a minimum of 2 days a week. The remainder of your time will be dedicated to finishing your university study.
You will work on projects that support Australia’s national security, while being mentored by leading experts in their field. You will also undertake specialised training to improve your skills and get real-world experience you won’t get at university.
We are looking for students studying STEM degrees. You can expect to be placed in a team aligned to your field of study, including:
- Cryptology
- Cyber Security
- Data
- Engineering and Technical
- Information and Communications Technology
- Intelligence and Analysis
- Psychology
You will start the program on a salary of $73,705 (including 4% Service Allowance), plus 15.4% superannuation. Upon completion of the ASD Cadetship Program, you will progress into an ongoing full-time ASD4 position, setting you up for a rewarding career in national security.
As well as being paid for your work, you will receive an academic allowance of $800 per subject (capped at 8 subjects per year). This allowance is paid at the end of each semester upon successfully completing your subjects.
How to apply
Applications for the 2027 ASD Cadetship Program are open until Monday 6 April 2026.
Eligibility
You must:
- Be an Australian citizen.
- Currently be studying a STEM degree at an Australian university.
- Have completed a minimum of one semester of their STEM degree at time of application.
- At time of commencement, have a minimum of 12-months remaining on their qualification.
- Hold and maintain a minimum credit average at time of application and for the duration of the program.
What the experience is like
“The ASD Cadetship Program has been a fantastic experience. It has been particularly helpful to get some practical experience to match some of the things I have covered in university. The experiences in the learning and development days organised by the APSC have been good as well and given valuable knowledge that I will be able to take forward in my career.” – Anton, Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
“I always sat in university lectures wondering how the concepts and theory I was learning could be applied practically. This cadetship has allowed me to apply that knowledge in a real-world setting, while simultaneously strengthening my studies with skills learned at work. Working part-time and studying full-time at university can be challenging, but I am able to work my hours around my university timetable and I always have support from my mentors, supervisor and fellow cadets. So my time in the cadetship is spent doing what I enjoy and with minimum stress.” – Anita, Engineering and Technical
At ASD, your contribution counts. Be part of something bigger from day one.
Our Apprenticeship Program is for people looking to start or change their career, whether you’re a school leaver, a current student or experienced professional.
You will benefit from a unique blend of practical experience, training and support in a collaborative environment with a focus on real-world problem solving.
What you will do
Apprentices work 3 to 4 days per week, with the rest of your time dedicated to completing a Certificate IV over an 18-month period. ASD will pay for your studies, and you will be granted paid study time.
You will put your new skills to use as you learn in an innovative and dynamic working environment on a range of tasks that support Australia’s national security.
As part of the program, Apprentices can pursue one of 2 streams:
- Technical stream: Cert IV in ICT (Networking or Programming and Web Applications.
- Project stream: Cert IV in Project Management
Successful candidates commence their apprenticeship on a salary of $65,286 (including 4% Service Allowance), plus 15.4% superannuation.
Upon completion of the program, Apprentices advance to the ASD3 level, opening the door to a rewarding career in national security.
How to apply
Applications for the 2027 ASD Apprenticeship Program are open until Monday 6 April 2026.
Eligibility
You must:
- Be an Australian citizen.
- Have obtained a Year 12 Certificate or equivalent prior to commencing the program.
- Be prepared to undergo a comprehensive security assessment.
What the experience is like
“The ASD Apprenticeship Program has been a highly rewarding experience. I have built meaningful, long-lasting relationships with my fellow cohort members, and the combination of hands-on work and study has significantly expanded my skills. It’s also given me a clearer direction for where I want to take my career.” – Taylor, Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
“The ASD Apprenticeship Program has been an incredible start to working in the ICT industry. I joined ASD right after high school with little experience in IT, but the skills I have gained over the past 18-months as an apprentice are invaluable. I have had the chance to develop hands-on skills that I can immediately apply to my job and real world situations. Additionally, I have attended various courses and training activities that have enhanced my abilities in multiple areas. Through the Apprenticeship Program, I have met many people with diverse backgrounds and skill sets, which I can carry forward throughout my career. Working on real projects and solving problems has been something I have truly enjoyed and I am excited about my future with the agency.” – Sofia, Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
The ASD work experience program is for Year 11–12 students. The program focuses on students who are considering further studies in a STEM-related field.
The week-long program offers you an opportunity to extend your knowledge and skills through practical challenges. Scenarios could include:
- identifying security intrusions on a computer system
- learning how to identify email compromises
- learning to monitor network traffic to detect exploits
- learning how to conduct forensic examinations of hard drives
- learning about web application vulnerabilities
- learning modern encryption methods
- learning about different types of encryption and how they protect data
- using open-source software to recover keys and encrypt and decrypt data
- learning about geospatial analysis and how to use geospatial tools for imagery analysis
- engineering hardware and software solutions for security problems
- robotics programming using Arduinos
- construction of Arduino electrical circuits.
Students who enjoy discovering how technology works are considered favourably over those who use technology.
All placements are in Canberra. Students from interstate are encouraged to apply. Interstate students will receive assistance with travel (transportation) costs. Interstate students are responsible for their own accommodation.
Upcoming work experience program dates:
Session 1: 6 July 2026 – 10 July 2026
- Applications Open Date: Friday 8 May 2026
- Applications Close Date: Sunday 7 June 2026 11:30pm
Session 2: 28 September 2026 – 2 October 2026
- Applications Open Date: Friday 31 July
- Applications Close Date: Sunday 30 August 2026 11:30pm
To apply please visit Defence Work Experience once applications open.
What the experience is like
“The program was excellent. It gave me the opportunity to experience working at ASD in real time. The challenges and tasks set were based on real life operations and really fostered my interest in cyber security. The staff and ASD mentors were fantastic. To be selected for the placement was a huge honour and I would encourage any students keen on working in this field to look into the program.” – Fletcher, Queensland
“The ASD Cyber Security and Robotics Work Experience Program has given me the insight of how people work in ASD on a daily basis and in real time. The skills, activities and the mentors supporting us are extraordinary and had lots of fun in both cyber security and robotics, giving us a pathway to take if interested. Although some of the experiences are challenging, it gave me the ability to think critically and make decisions. The peers are both enjoyable to hang out with and also great buddies to get the work done as a team together, giving each other the helping hand where needed. It was an honour to have a placement here and I highly recommend for people who have even the slightest interest of cyber security, robotics or even technology to consider taking this program!” – Albert, ACT
“If you’re even slightly considering a career in cyber security, I would highly recommend doing this program. It was an unforgettable and amazing experience that helped me learn more about ASD and how vital their work is in protecting our nation.” – Parakh, NSW
The GPN is an extra-curricular program run by girls for girls. It inspires and supports girls interested in computers and technology. It is designed for girls in Year 6–12 of all programming abilities. Dedicated women from university, industry and government specialising in software development and cyber run each session. Find out about a GPN node near you.
Find out about a GPN node near you.