Pre-application
Before starting the application process, applicants need to complete the following:
- Read the Eligibility requirements page
- Have photographic identification and other relevant personal details readily available
- Provide academic verification (if degree has already been completed). Applicants completing their degree during the application process must verify degree completion prior to entering the program.
Stage 1 - Application
Once you have checked your eligibility, applicants will need to submit an online application through the ASA application portal.
Application information will need to include:
- personal details
- details of 2 referees
- a CV including key academic and professional achievements as well as extra-curricular interests and work experience.
The selection committee will review applications and shortlisted candidates will progress to the next stage.
Stage 2 - Online assessment
Applicants who satisfy the eligibility and application requirements will be invited via email to complete an online capability/cognitive assessment.
*There may be more than one online assessment activity to complete.
Stage 3 - Virtual online assessment centre
Based on outcomes of the cognitive assessment, selected applicants will be invited to participate in a virtual assessment centre. Applicants will receive an email invitation to book a preferred time and date.
The virtual assessment centres are scheduled to run from the beginning of May and consist of group exercise and a panel interview.
Stage 4 - Referee reports
Referee reports help the selection committee verify information shared in the application and during the assessments activities. These will be collected online, through email or via our recruitment portal.
Stage 5 - Merit pool
If you are found to be a suitable candidate for the Nuclear Graduate program, you will be placed in a merit pool. This does not necessarily mean that you will be offered a role, just that you will then be considered for one of our places for the 2025 intake.
Candidates on our merit pool may be considered for similar Nuclear focused Graduate programs within other Australian Government Nuclear Agencies if indicated at the time of application.
A merit pool is a group of candidates for a vacancy who have been assessed as being equally suitable. As these candidates are not ranked, any candidate can be selected to fill the vacancy or a similar vacancy.
*All selections are based on merit. More information about merit selection can be found on the Australian Public Service Merit principle(Opens in a new tab/window) webpage
Stage 6 - Organisational suitability
Those candidates being further considered for a place on our graduate program will be asked to undergo an ASA Nuclear Mindset Suitability Assessment.
Due to the sensitive work undertaken by the Australian Submarine Agency, applicants must successfully complete and pass stage 6 before a formal offer of employment can be provided .
Stage 7 - Letter of offer
Based on the outcomes of the ASA nuclear Mindset Suitability Assessment, successful applicants will be provided with a formal offer of employment.
This may take 4-6 weeks after you complete stage 6.
Offers will be issued in rounds.
Applicants will have 2 weeks to accept the formal offer of employment.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified via email.
For those applicants who are successful will be required to complete the Agency's mandatory security clearance application.
Stage 8 - Security clearance
All employees are required to undergo comprehensive security clearance processing prior to commencement with the Agency.
The security clearance process consists of multiple steps and can take several months to complete. It is encouraged to complete the security clearance application promptly as delays can hold up official starting dates with the Agency.
If a preferred candidate is not successful in obtaining a security clearance, their recommendation for engagement with the agency will be withdrawn. Once a person has been appointed to the agency, loss of a security clearance at any time will result in the termination of the person's employment
If you are currently employed, ASA advises to not resigning from current employment until a formal written offer has been received and a security clearance has been received.