| Defence Signals Directorate | Reveal their secrets....Protect our own |
Shortcuts
- Test your skills
- One program ...three streams. ANALYSTS | BUSINESS | TECHNOLOGISTS
- CURRENT VACANCIES - Read more...
DSD is a civilian organisation; however as part of the Department of Defence and in support of organisational objectives it is a pleasure to have a number of military personnel who work here in an integrated environment.
Yes. As DSD is part of the Australian Public Service, you will need to be an Australian citizen with at least 10 years checkable background.
Yes. Due to the sensitive nature of the work undertaken at the Directorate, you will need to be security cleared.
To get a security clearance you will need to provide personal details including financial, family history and employment background information. You will be required to attend an interview with a security vetting officer and nominate a number of referees. You will also need to provide original copies of certain documents including your birth certificate and passport.
Yes and no. The nature of DSD's work means that many aspects of your working day will relate to classified material and, naturally, you will not be able to discuss these with friends and family. But there will be parts of your working life that will be within the unclassified realm and these you will be able to discuss.
Yes. Interaction with professional colleagues is encouraged. DSD often sends staff to outside conferences, seminars and training courses.
Not necessarily. DSD abides by the APS ethos of encouraging a flexible and mobile workforce, so opportunities for employment in other Government agencies may arise. However, there are many opportunities for diverse, rewarding and long-term careers within DSD and the Defence Organisation.
Yes. Your work performance at DSD will be closely assessed and your manager will provide you with continual feedback from the time of your commencement.
Occasionally opportunities arise to work at locations around Australia and in some instances overseas.
Yes. As we're a specialised environment it is necessary to supplement the skills and training you bring to the organisation with a comprehensive regime of added training.
Graduate Testimonials
Although we can't tell you in great detail the actual work you will be involved in here, we can tell you all about what it's like to work here. And, who is better to do that than some of our most recent intake of graduates. Read what they have to say about their experiences in their first 12 months of working at DSD.
Sam (Analyst):
" To be a DSD grad is to be part of an extremely unique and diverse workplace that presents many and varied opportunities to learn and apply skills in ways that can be challenging at times, but is always rewarding. If you're thinking that DSD would never in a million years hire someone with a degree like yours, you're probably exactly the type of graduate that DSD is looking for! Graduates in DSD originate from all walks of life and are well supported by the organisation, which has a long established Altitude @ DSD and includes the provision of training, both on and off the job.
Think beyond your graduate year - only your attitude and willingness to accept new challenges limit career opportunities at DSD. If you want a career that's a little unusual but makes all the difference, DSD is definitely the place to be!"
Hear Sam talk about her graduate experience at DSD:
Kate (Technologist):
"I joined the Defence Signals Directorate as a technologist in November 2003, not really knowing what I was getting myself into. I had a little knowledge of what DSD did and what kind of work I would be doing. After working in industry for two years it was time for a change, so I decided to take a risk and re-locate to the other side of Australia for this job that I knew nothing about!
I have been at DSD for 3 months now and I have to say that moving to Canberra for this opportunity has been one of the best decisions of my life. I definitely have no regrets. The work I have been given in my first rotation is challenging, exciting, interesting and innovative. What I love most about my work is the fact that what I do is of high value and of national importance - I feel like I'm actually making a difference!
DSD also offers an impressive training and career development
program with an excellent opportunity for advancement and promotion.
In just 3 months I have learnt more than I did in 2 years of industry.
Although the nature of DSD's work is unique and important, the
atmosphere within the organisation is informal and social with
a real emphasis on work-life balance."
Hear Kate talk about her graduate experience at DSD:
Andrew (Analyst):
"I have been impressed with the Altitude @ DSD at DSD. Having spent 9 years teaching in high schools and working in various occupations before that, I can honestly say that a career in DSD is something to aspire to.The Altitude @ DSD offers the chance to rotate through different sections of DSD and develop a broad understanding of DSD's roles and responsibilties, as well as it's interaction within Government. I have found it very rewarding working with motivated, professional people and engaging in exciting, important and challenging issues on a daily basis. From the beginning my contribution made a difference.
DSD also recognises the importance of maintaining and developing the skills of its employees by providing excellent training and career opportunities. The organisation's focus on life-work balance makes me feel valued not just professionally, but personally.
Waking up each morning and looking forward to going to work
reminds me that re-locating to Canberra to work for DSD was the
right decision."
Hear Andrew talk about his graduate experience at DSD:
Nikki (Technologist):
"To me being a Graduate at DSD means being able to work in an excellent environment that encourages learning and study, whilst offering day to day challenges and opportunities to work with some of the brightest people and most advanced equipment on offer anywhere in the public sector.
The Altitude @ DSD offers extensive training courses from both a technical and general career oriented perspective, both in-house and externally.
The social side of the Altitude @ DSD is encouraged and enabled me to meet a wide range of people from different areas within the Directorate. This led to the creation of networks throughout the organisation, resulting in a broad range of contacts, which were very useful to my work on a daily basis.
Being in the Altitude @ DSD enabled me to experience a wide
range of work areas within DSD, and gave me an excellent opportunity
to decide where in the Directorate my future position would be."
Hear Nikki talk about his graduate experience at DSD: