The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) Graduate Program provides a range of exciting opportunities and development pathways for those who have recently completed university, setting them up for a successful career in Australia’s National Intelligence Community (NIC).
Over the course of the program, graduates complete work placements, and participate in a comprehensive development program aligned to specific roles, including a mix of on-the-job and formal learning. At the end of the program, graduates launch straight into an exciting new role as part of an ACIC team.
We caught up with 2 of our 2025 graduates, Krissy and Molly (pseudonyms), to hear about their journey and what makes the ACIC Graduate Program such a unique experience.
What did you study at university?
Krissy: I studied a Bachelor of Music before realising that I wanted a change. I then undertook my Masters of Criminology to pursue my passion for understanding and combating counter-terrorism and violent extremism. This change convinced me that I wanted a career as an intelligence analyst.
Molly: I studied a Bachelor of Criminology, majoring in Criminal Behaviour. I had always been interested in this study pathway throughout school, specifically the idea of being able to understand crime, and why perpetrators choose to offend.
What led you to the ACIC Graduate Program, and what inspired you to apply?
Krissy: I saw the ACIC’s Graduate Program advertised on the NIC website. Given the prevalence of serious and organised crime, especially in the media, I thought the ACIC seemed like an interesting organisation with a growing portfolio of work.
Molly: I spent a lot of time online looking for graduate programs that aligned with my interests and career aspirations. An influencing factor for me was the idea my actions and contributions could directly help people across Australia and the world. Finding the ACIC grad program, reading about the agency mission and seeing that I could contribute to making Australia a safer place from serious and organised crime, was an opportunity I would have regretted passing up – applying has been one of the best decisions I’ve made.
What rotations did you complete as a graduate?
Krissy: My first role was with Disseminations and Requests for Information (DRFI) after this I worked in Operational Analysis. While both roles were in the intelligence side of the agency, they taught me incredibly different skills. DRFI helped me understand and appreciate the importance of the intelligence dissemination process, while Operational Analysis affirmed my passion for national security and its growing intersection with serious and organised crime groups.
Molly: I had an incredibly unique experience within my Graduate Program. My first rotation was with the Australian Institute of Criminology assisting in the collection of research to formulate papers and statistical bulletins. After that I worked within the Serious Fraud team, which gave me incredible exposure to the ACIC’s capabilities and what I can achieve as an intelligence analyst. Finally, I was the Executive Assistant to our National Manager of Human Resources (HR), this was an incredible opportunity to network and understand the importance of HR to the agency as a whole – a role I would encourage everyone to experience if given the opportunity!
Are there any standout memories or lessons learnt from your time in the program?
Krissy: This year has taught me the importance of being a part of a graduate cohort, which builds a sense of community in your first year of full-time work. Entering the workforce with a graduate cohort made the transition much smoother, providing an in-built support network of like-minded individuals that could help me through my relocation and first experience as a full-time worker.
Molly: I consider myself lucky to have been a part of such a great grad cohort this year – everyone has been so supportive and uplifting to one another while we navigated this unique experience. I would say personally, this year has taught me a lot about my resilience and what I am capable of. It’s given me more confidence to do things that make me nervous and to make the most of each opportunity that comes by.
What is your next career goal?
Krissy: My career goal is to work in the national security space long-term. This has always been my interest in crime and criminology, and being able to work in this space within the ACIC has reaffirmed my passion for topics including foreign relations, counter-terrorism and violent extremism as they intersect with organised crime.
Molly: For the next steps in my career, I am looking to jump into the collection operations space in our agency. Being able to play an active role in collecting intelligence while learning from colleagues who have a wealth of experience in law enforcement and intelligence is an incredible opportunity as I begin my career in this area.
Want to kick start your career in national intelligence just like Krissy and Molly? Visit our website for more information and eligibility requirements for all applicants.