From graduates to career changers, we come from every corner of the country and all walks of life, with backgrounds from all around the world.

Regardless of our ethnicity, experiences and education, we’re bound by a shared commitment to something bigger: building a better future for those who come after us.

It’s a mission owned by everyone, with opportunities for all.

As a woman in a leadership role with three children, I have never felt that ASIS expected me to choose between my family or career. What has surprised me has been the supportive and creative ways of accommodating flexible work when my circumstances change. The whole-person view from my managers has made me feel seen as a valuable contributor to the mission, whilst acknowledging my family is important and needs me.

- Senior manager – IT

Moving to Canberra meant a whole new world of things to try, habits to keep and trips back home to see family. Having the flexibility to keep up with morning gym sessions or book trips interstate – without disadvantaging my career – has really helped me settle in and stay active.

- Graphic designer

Working in ASIS is incredibly fulfilling – over my career I’ve had some amazing experiences and met incredible people. And between it all, I’ve found enough flexibility to balance my career with my other important role as carer to my disabled husband.

- Operational analyst

There is never a dull moment working in ASIS – no two days are the same. You’re constantly applying creative problem-solving to complex challenges.

- Intelligence officer

In a world with opportunities and obstacles that are constantly changing, we need people with different life experiences and different ways of thinking to tackle all sorts of challenges.

Whether it’s a personal understanding of another culture, shared experience identifying as LGBTQIA+, or an insight to living with disability – the lived experiences and diverse backgrounds of our officers positively impact the success of operations and our corporate work.

And we believe we can continue to do more.

Our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy sets out goals and priorities to ensure that ASIS reflects the communities we serve and our workplace is inclusive for all.

We also have staff-led working groups that champion initiatives around:

• The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD)

• LGBTQIA+

• First Peoples

• Disability, Neurodiversity and Carers

• Gender Equality

Life throws all sorts at all of us. In my time so far, I have cared for family with terminal cancer, disability and high needs stemming from old age or mental health issues. I have family and friends who are neurodiverse and am myself hearing impaired. I don’t view my experience as special or different, just the version of life I got so far! For me, ASIS has been a workplace that is supportive of all our people, no matter which phase of life they’re in, how their brain or body works, or the challenges they have.

- Senior manager – Learning and development

It’s easy for any place to talk about cultural diversity. As a second-gen Aussie who grew up in a fairly homogenous neighbourhood, I’ve been impressed to see ASIS make an effort to embrace cultural diversity in all that it does – not as an exercise in ticking the box, but because we really believe that, for an international organisation, diversity inherently enables us to deliver on our mission.

- Technical officer

As a queer officer posted overseas, I have relished joining a likeminded community within ASIS that I keep in close contact with, even when I’m working offshore. I’m proud that ASIS supports all its LGBTQIA+ officers, in all the countries we work in. And although we’re a secretive organisation, we always find ways to show our Pride.

- Operational technology officer

Growing up in a small regional town, I never imagined I would one day work for ASIS and be part of an organisation that operates with such purpose, and in the best interests of protecting our homeland and country. While no two days at ASIS are ever the same, the commitment to addressing our employment gaps, supporting job creation and enhancing cultural competency for sustainable growth is always present. As a First Nations person, I didn’t just find a rewarding, broad and impactful career. I also found a family of like-minded mob to connect with and support my journey.

- Manager – Operational analyst

Gender equality isn’t a buzzword in the Service. The qualities that lead to success in ASIS (empathy, curiosity, problem solving) and the opportunities for service aren’t limited to one gender or a certain type of person (definitely not any ‘James Bond’). Take my experience – as a female officer, I’m fully supported to be flexible so that I can fit in responsibilities with my family and friends, without sacrificing career opportunities.

- Intelligence officer