Frequently Asked Questions

We are looking for a range of skills that include:

• the ability to build relationships
• personal drive and integrity
• the ability to communicate effectively
• the ability to deliver on outcomes.

We want graduates who are problem solvers, innovative thinkers and committed to making a difference.

Throughout the program, our graduates rotate through various intelligence, corporate and technical areas of the agency which may include intelligence collection and analysis, technical and digital capabilities, as well as strategic insights.

The ACIC is a criminal intelligence agency. This is different to a national security or a law enforcement agency, but we do work very closely with these types of agencies both here in Australia and overseas – partnerships which are critical to our collective capacity to respond to the changing criminal environment.

Working collaboratively with law enforcement partners and the National Intelligence Community, we are able to deliver a diverse suite of criminal intelligence products, services, analysis and advice.

We are looking for graduates from a range of fields and degrees including but not limited to the following:

Graduate placements are primarily based in Canberra. This ensures we can provide you the support you need as you embark on your career with us. We also provide relocation assistance if you are required to move interstate.

We may consider placements in state offices based on a case-by-case basis. 

We are accepting applications from university students who are set to finish their undergraduate degree in 2025, or those who have graduated within the last 3 years. You must also be an Australian citizen to apply for the program.

If you don’t think you quite meet all of the requirements for the Graduate Program, check out our website for other career opportunities with the ACIC.

Applications open on 3 February 2025 and close on 6 April 2025. All applications must be submitted via the ACIC career portal.

There is also some helpful information on the process on our apply for a job page.

Our graduates start as an APS4 and are paid $74,422 per annum + 15.4% super. At the end of the program, you will launch into an exciting new role as an APS5 and be paid $82,403 per annum + 15.4% super.

We work very closely with our partners which may require ACIC staff to work in the field. This may include working within our human source program or conducting examinations, as well as within partner agencies on a secondment. However, these opportunities are not part of our graduate program and may be available beyond the program.

Many of our international partners face similar transnational and serious and organised crime threats to Australia, and multiagency collaboration is key to combatting them. These joint projects may require an ACIC staff member to work within organisations in a location of high priority on either long or short-term deployments overseas. However, this is not a part of our graduate program.

The ACIC Graduate Program offers a combination of on-the-job training through rotations and formal learning, giving recruits a well-rounded understanding of our agency and its functions. This can help tailor your career focus at the ACIC.

As part of the recruitment process for the graduate program, we may use psychometric testing (testing your personality, motivation and cognitive abilities) and group assessment centres. 

Unfortunately, due to the secure environment in which we work, we are unable to engage staff as volunteers, on work experience or through internships.

The ACIC Graduate Program runs annually, therefore we only recruit graduates once a year.