Inside ACIC: Your 60-Second Guide to Australia's Intelligence Powerhouse 🔍
Ever wondered what it's really like to work at the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC)? We've analyzed their latest annual report so you don't have to! In this quick overview, discover everything from their mission-critical intelligence work to career pathways and the skills they're actively seeking. Whether you're a seasoned public servant looking to advance or a newcomer to government careers, this guide gives you the inside track on one of Australia's most fascinating intelligence agencies.
AT-A-GLANCE ⚡
Name of Department: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC)
Location: Australia-wide (offices in all state/territory capitals plus 3 overseas locations)
CEO: Heather Cook (appointed January 2024)
Total Revenue: $297.021 million
Total Number of Employees: 868 (plus 16 secondees and 42 task force members at June 30, 2024)
THE QUALIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO ACIC 🎓
Top 5 academic qualifications most suited:
Criminology/Criminal Justice - Essential for understanding crime patterns and contributing to intelligence analysis on transnational serious and organized crime
Data Science/Analytics - Critical for the ACIC's advanced data analytics work that transforms raw information into actionable intelligence
Information Technology/Cybersecurity - Fundamental for supporting the ACIC's sophisticated IT systems and protecting sensitive intelligence
Law/Legal Studies - Valuable for navigating the complex legal frameworks that govern intelligence operations and coercive powers
Intelligence Studies/National Security - Directly applicable to the core mission of collecting and analyzing intelligence on criminal threats
Top 5 certifications most suited:
Security Clearances (Negative Vetting 1 or higher) - Mandatory for all employees given the sensitive nature of intelligence work
Digital Forensics Certifications - Essential for extracting and analyzing digital evidence in criminal investigations
Project Management (PRINCE2/PMP) - Valuable for coordinating complex intelligence operations and system implementations
Data Analysis (SAS/Python/R) - Important for the growing data analytics function within the agency
Information Security (CISSP/CISM) - Critical for maintaining the security of sensitive intelligence and information systems
Top 5 trades/professions most suited:
Intelligence Analysts - The backbone of the ACIC's work in producing tactical and analytical intelligence products
IT Specialists/Systems Analysts - Essential for maintaining the ACIC's sophisticated national information systems
Legal Professionals - Critical for ensuring compliance with legislation governing coercive powers and information sharing
Data Scientists - Increasingly important for the ACIC's work in discovering patterns in large datasets
Surveillance Operatives - Specialized professionals who gather intelligence through physical and technical surveillance
Top 5 skills most suited:
Analytical Thinking - Essential for identifying patterns and connections in complex criminal intelligence
Information Security Awareness - Critical for protecting sensitive intelligence and maintaining operational security
Communication Skills - Vital for clearly conveying complex intelligence findings to diverse stakeholders
Digital Literacy - Fundamental for navigating the ACIC's sophisticated information systems and data analysis tools
Attention to Detail - Crucial for producing accurate intelligence assessments and maintaining data integrity
Top 5 work experiences most suited:
Law Enforcement Background - Provides valuable context and understanding of criminal environments
Intelligence Community Experience - Directly transferable skills in intelligence collection and analysis
Data Analysis/Research Roles - Experience in extracting insights from complex datasets aligns with ACIC's intelligence work
Information Technology/Systems Management - Essential for supporting the ACIC's extensive IT infrastructure
Project Management - Valuable for coordinating the ACIC's complex operations and system implementations
THE KEY FACTS 📊
Name of Department
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC)
Name of CEO
Heather Cook (appointed January 2024)
Location
Australia-wide, with offices in each state and territory capital plus three overseas locations
Year Founded
2016 (formed from the merger of previous agencies)
Main mission and purpose of the department
The ACIC protects Australia from serious criminal threats through coordinating strategic responses and collecting, assessing, and disseminating intelligence and policing information. In real-world impact, their intelligence directly contributed to the seizure of drugs worth $1.0 billion in street value and cash and assets worth $10.9 million in 2023-24, demonstrating how their work translates to tangible community safety outcomes.
Main duties of the department
Conducting special operations and investigations addressing criminal activities posing the greatest threats to Australians
Providing comprehensive intelligence and information-sharing solutions between law enforcement agencies
Delivering background checking services to support employment decisions
Working with international and domestic partners as the trusted source of criminal intelligence
For example, in 2023-24, the ACIC produced 170 analytical intelligence products and 2,722 tactical intelligence products that enabled partners to target and disrupt criminal networks, showing how their intelligence work directly impacts community safety by removing harmful elements from society.
Key Projects, Strategic Priorities, Future Plans and Initiatives
Development of the National Firearms Register over the next 4 years
National Criminal Intelligence System (NCIS) implementation and enhancement
National Continuous Checking Capability to protect vulnerable Australians
Fraud Fusion Taskforce to combat fraud against government programs like NDIS
International intelligence cooperation through the Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group
Did you know?
The ACIC maintains a language skills registry with 52 languages to assist with transnational crime operations, highlighting their global reach and diverse capabilities!
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE 💰
Total Number of Employees
868 APS employees and statutory office holders (at June 30, 2024)
Total Number of Employees at each pay level
APS 1-3: 32
APS 4-6: 386
EL 1-2: 424
SES 1-3: 21
Statutory Office Holders (CEO & Examiners): 5
Salary Bands
APS 1: $52,000-$56,306
APS 2: $58,524-$64,895
APS 3: $67,707-$73,077
APS 4: $74,422-$80,807
APS 5: $82,403-$87,572
APS 6: $90,199-$101,745
EL 1: $113,355-$136,660
EL 2: $141,624-$159,567
SES 1: $197,729-$257,645
SES 2: $274,532-$319,197
SES 3: $340,642-$404,914
Average salary in the department
Approximately $138,376 (based on employee benefits expenses of $120.111 million divided by 868 employees)
Total Revenue
$297.021 million (2023-24)
Average Revenue per Employee
$342,190 per employee
GETTING A JOB AT ACIC 🚀
Which academic subjects are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Certificate/Diploma Level:
Certificate IV in Government Investigations - Provides foundational skills for intelligence collection roles
Diploma of Information Technology - Valuable for supporting the ACIC's extensive information systems
Certificate IV in Intelligence Operations - Directly relevant to the ACIC's core intelligence activities
Diploma of Government Security - Essential for roles involving classification and handling of sensitive information
Diploma of Project Management - Useful for coordinating intelligence operations and system implementation projects
Bachelor/Master Level:
Bachelor of Criminology/Criminal Justice - Fundamental to understanding criminal behavior and patterns
Bachelor/Master of Cybersecurity - Critical for protecting the ACIC's sensitive information and systems
Bachelor/Master of Data Science/Analytics - Essential for the ACIC's growing data analytics capabilities
Bachelor of Laws - Valuable for navigating the complex legal frameworks governing intelligence operations
Master of Intelligence Analysis - Directly applicable to the ACIC's core intelligence assessment functions
PhDs:
PhD in Criminology - Valuable for high-level research on evolving criminal threats
PhD in Data Science - Essential for developing advanced analytics methodologies
PhD in Computer Science/AI - Valuable for developing sophisticated data processing capabilities
PhD in International Relations - Useful for understanding transnational criminal networks
PhD in Policy Analysis - Beneficial for developing evidence-based policy recommendations
Which trades and professions are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Intelligence Analysts - Critical for the ACIC's core function of providing tactical and analytical intelligence products
Digital Forensic Specialists - Essential for extracting and analyzing evidence from digital devices
IT Security Professionals - Vital for protecting sensitive intelligence from cyber threats
Data Scientists - Crucial for turning vast amounts of data into actionable intelligence insights
Legal Professionals - Important for ensuring compliance with legislation governing intelligence operations
Surveillance Operatives - Specialized professionals who gather intelligence through physical and technical means
Project Managers - Valuable for coordinating complex, multi-agency operations and system implementations
Financial Investigators - Essential for tracking money laundering and proceeds of crime
Which work experiences are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Police/Law Enforcement Experience - Provides valuable understanding of criminal environments and investigation techniques
Military Intelligence Background - Offers transferable skills in information collection and analysis
National Intelligence Community Roles - Directly applicable experience in handling classified information
Data Analysis/Research Positions - Valuable experience in extracting insights from complex datasets
International Organization Experience - Useful for understanding transnational crime networks
Financial Crime Investigation - Important for work targeting money laundering and proceeds of crime
Cybersecurity Experience - Critical for protecting sensitive information systems
Policy Development Roles - Beneficial for developing strategic responses to criminal threats
Which skills are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Soft skills:
Analytical Thinking - Critical for identifying patterns and connections in complex intelligence data
Written Communication - Essential for producing clear, concise intelligence reports
Verbal Briefing Skills - Important for conveying complex intelligence findings to stakeholders
Ethical Decision-Making - Crucial when dealing with sensitive information and coercive powers
Adaptability - Valuable in the rapidly evolving criminal threat landscape
Technical skills:
Data Analysis - Essential for extracting insights from large datasets
Cybersecurity Knowledge - Critical for protecting sensitive intelligence information
Intelligence Software Proficiency - Important for using specialized intelligence platforms
Database Management - Valuable for handling the ACIC's extensive information repositories
Digital Evidence Handling - Crucial for maintaining the integrity of digital evidence
General skills:
Critical Thinking - Essential for evaluating intelligence sources and findings
Research Skills - Important for gathering information on criminal threats
Attention to Detail - Crucial when handling sensitive intelligence information
Project Management - Valuable for coordinating complex operations
Cross-Cultural Communication - Important for international collaboration efforts
Which hobbies and interests align with the work of this department?
Puzzle Solving/Strategy Games - Develops analytical thinking applicable to intelligence analysis
Foreign Languages - Valuable for international intelligence collaboration
Technology/Computing - Aligns with the ACIC's extensive use of information systems
Current Affairs/Global Politics - Provides context for understanding transnational crime
Research and Reading - Builds knowledge and analytical skills applicable to intelligence work
Want more information on this department?
Contact the department:
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
GPO Box 1936
Canberra City ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6268 7000
Email: media@acic.gov.au
Website: acic.gov.au
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