Surveillance Officers

You will adapt to this role and become a vital member of a team crucial to ASIO’s operations. Our Surveillance Officers are based in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne but enjoy frequent travel outside their base.

Our Surveillance teams provide specialised assistance to ASIO investigations. You will observe targets of national security relevance – watching people and places on foot, in vehicles and from static locations.

You will:

• Plan and conduct surveillance activities;
• Report on surveillance investigations and operations using state of the art photographic, technical and IT equipment;
• Formulate and present advice based on and relating to the collection of intelligence.

Don’t expect your work to be the same each day. It can vary dramatically in a week. You may be tasked across a range of areas and be expected to travel interstate, often at short notice.

Some days your adrenaline will pump, others you will feel time has stood still. It’s all part of the career.

You will work closely within a team, but also individually. You are required to work shifts, including weekends and have frequent roster changes due to operational requirements.

Life as a Survillance Officer

If you enjoy being out of the office and seeing something new every day, this could be the career for you.

View this video to see what you could be doing throughout your career.

Remuneration

During the Surveillance Training Program you will receive a salary between $56,915 and $62,871 plus superannuation. 

Upon successful completion of the Surveillance Training Program, your salary range will be between $65,265 and $73,359 plus superannuation 

plus a 30% composite payment, excluding service allowance.

As such, we have diverse backgrounds. We are men and women of all ethnicities with experience from all industries including: IT, retail, HR, home duties, military, security and some just finishing formal academic qualifications. You see, it is not all about what you’ve done before, because we’ll give you the foundations for the skills you develop. It is about you – confidence, intuition, awareness, observation and adaptability.

You must be a team player. You will be part of a team with enviable camaraderie. You will trust and rely on your colleagues and end up enjoying time outside work with them! That said, you must also be comfortable with spending time alone.

Your ability to think on your feet and make quick decisions will see you succeed in this role and contribute to national security.

Think this role is for you?  You'll also need to:

• be an Australian Citizen.  We cannot progress your application if you are awaiting citizenship;
• hold a current driver's licence (for at least 3 years) and be eligible to qualify for a driver's licence in any state or territory of Australia;
• have normal colour perception;
• have a basic level of fitness;
• be able to frequently travel interstate, often at short notice. 

You can learn more about these and other things you should consider before applying on our 'Should I Apply' page.

You must be prepared to undergo various selection stages over an extended period of time.  In addition to the competency based tests, you will undergo extensive background checking to assess your suitability to hold a security clearance.

Important – please note: you must be available to attend each stage of the recruitment process in the timeframes given. You will be advised the outcome of each stage of the process. However, we cannot provide you with detailed feedback.

If you apply for these roles from outside of NSW, Victoria or the ACT, you will need to be prepared to fund your travel to attend the first two stages of the recruitment process in the state closest to your current location.

If you have any queries about the recruitment process, please contact the recruitment team on 02 6257 4916.

Your training will be based in the state you are employed to work. However, some travel and periods away will be required.

The Program is competency based with four major modules:

• A three month Recruit Training Course conducted in various locations. This is a pass/fail module.
• A two week defensive driving training course. This is a pass/fail module.
• A four to six week mentor program.
• A period of on-the-job training where you'll be working as a solo operator within a surveillance group. You will be provided opportunities to meet and further develop the required surveillance competencies. This period is expected to last for twelve weeks but may vary depending upon your progress.

This is a competency based Program. You need to demonstrate a satisfactory standard of performance to complete each section. If you are unable to successfully complete the pass/fail modules, your training will cease. We want all our Surveillance Officers to succeed, so we offer you as much support as possible to this end. If despite our assistance, you’re unable to meet the required standards during or by the end of the Program, you may be offered another role in the Organisation, your probation may be extended, or your employment may be terminated in accordance with your employment contract.

Previous surveillance experience is not necessary as you'll enjoy extensive training.

However, it's important that you can demonstrate attributes including:

• Excellent observation skills, with a first-rate memory for details and events;
• Due to the nature of the work, it is vital you enjoy driving;
• Work well in a team;
• An ability to remain alert during periods of inactivity or boredom – then snap into action when required;
• Display consistent good judgement;
• An ability to think on your feet;
• Flexibility and ability to cope with frequent disruptions to your social life.

Before considering applying you must:

• Be an Australian Citizen. We cannot progress your application if you are awaiting citizenship;
• Hold a current driver’s licence (for at least 3 years) and be eligible to qualify for a driver’s licence in any state or territory of Australia;
• Not have attended an ASIO Surveillance Officer Assessment Centre in the past two years;
• Have normal colour perception;
• Have basic level of fitness;
• Be able to frequently travel interstate, often at short notice;
• Be able to attend each stage of the recruitment process. We do not conduct assessments overseas. If you are an Australian citizen living overseas and do not intend returning to Australia in the near future, please reconsider whether now is the right time to apply.

Remuneration

During the Surveillance Training Program you will receive a salary between $56,915 and $62,871 plus superannuation. 

Upon successful completion of the Surveillance Training program your salary range will be between $65,265 and $73,359 plus superannuation

plus a 30% composite payment, excluding service allowance.

Once you have satisfied the technical aspects of your application, it is important that you honestly evaluate your motivation for this role, including the demands this role is likely to place on your family and your social life. Surveillance Officers can have short notice absences from home for extended periods of time depending upon organisational requirements. You need to be sure that you and your family are able to adapt to this lifestyle.

Many ask if this role is safe, the answer is yes. Our training will equip you with all the skills you need to be an effective Surveillance Officer. We have an excellent safety record and ensure our people are our top priority when it comes to making sure they are able to take care of themselves and their team whilst on the job.

If you meet all the above criteria and believe you have the personal and professional skills to succeed as a Surveillance Officer, visit our 'Apply' page.

We strongly believe in and support workplace diversity. Our aim is to have a workforce that reflects Australian society and we encourage people from non-English speaking backgrounds to apply.

Please note: All applications for employment with ASIO are handled in the strictest confidence. It is essential that you DO NOT discuss your application with others as doing so may adversely affect your application.

The recruitment process is lengthy, but necessary. We thank you for your efforts in submitting an application, and for investing your time in our selection process.