The Defence Intelligence and Security Group (I&S Group) is a fully integrated civilian–military workforce that promotes the Defence values of professionalism, loyalty, integrity, courage, innovation and teamwork.
The I&S Group draws on high-quality, motivated people from a diverse range of backgrounds and academic disciplines. Essentially, any degree that has prepared someone to think analytically and creatively will have a place within the I&S Group, including:
The I&S Group maintains mutually-beneficial relationships with other agencies in the Australian Intelligence Community, other government organisations, as well as allied and other foreign intelligence agencies. As a result, there are opportunities to represent the I&S Group on both the domestic and international fronts in a variety of forums ranging from conferences and seminars to international roundtable discussions.
The I&S Group has close relationships with the defence intelligence agencies of Australia’s allies, maintaining liaison offices in a number of countries. The I&S Group also has analysts on exchange postings as well as a variety of secondments with our fellow agencies in the Australian Intelligence Community.
Defence APS staff are employed under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement.
Salary ranges for different APS classification levels are available from the Defence Salary Scales chart.
In addition to salary, APS staff are paid 15.4% superannuation.
Flexible work hours are offered as an alternative to the traditional 9–5 work day. Flexible work hours allow staff to vary their daily arrival or departure time to fit with their lifestyle. The span of time within which staff can work their required hours on a flexible basis is 7am–7pm. Access to flexible working hours is predominantly available to employees at the classification of APS Level 6 (or equivalent) and below, but local arrangements can be entered into for Executive Level (EL) staff.
Flexible work hours can take a variety of different forms including a ‘compressed working week’, where employees work their standard weekly hours in fewer days than normal. Other flexible work options such as part-time work or job sharing are also available to assist employees whose lifestyle, private commitments or fitness status are incompatible with full-time or standard hours of employment.
The I&S Group has locations all over Australia, however, the majority of staff are located at Defence headquarters in Canberra, either at Russell Offices or Campbell Park. A number of facilities are available to all employees in Canberra:
All Defence employees and their immediate family have access to a free, professional and confidential counselling service called the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Counselling is available face-to-face or over the phone to help resolve personal and/or work-related issues.
Employees can access salary sacrificing arrangements provided under the Defence Flexible Remuneration Packaging (FRP) Scheme.
I&S Group employees are entitled to a number of Defence-wide benefits including:
Some of the positions within the I&S Group are established as 'broadband' positions which enables employees (who meet certain eligibility criteria) to advance to the next classification level within their broadband. Broadband advancement has the same effect as a promotion, however, you don’t compete for advancement against other applicants. Advancement is only applicable within the following broadbands:
The I&S Group has a strong commitment to equity and diversity in its workplace. As part of this commitment, Indigenous Cadetship Support (ICS) provides employment and career development opportunities for indigenous Australians. The aim of this program is to contribute to creating a diverse workplace that is representative of the Australian community.
ICS provides sponsorship for indigenous Australians who are intending to, or are currently, enrolled in full-time study at a tertiary institution. During the semester break between academic years cadets are provided with practical (on-the-job) training which is relevant to their studies.
Defence covers the payment of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS-HELP), all compulsory university fees and provides an allowance for the purchase of course books and stationery. Sponsorship is for approved undergraduate courses only and continued support is conditional upon satisfactory academic achievement. Upon successful completion of their studies, cadets are offered permanent positions within the department.
For more information, visit the Indigenous Cadetship Support website. The program is administered by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.