Wednesday 8 October
The Australian Submarine Agency’s (ASA) new Nuclear Graduate Program cohort have graduated to permanent positions within the Agency.
Twenty-five graduates completed the program after rotations within ASA and with our nuclear enterprise and defence partners.
ASA offers two pathways; The STEM Technical pathway (engineering, cyber security, technology and science) and the Policy and Corporate pathway (project management, finance, supply chain and international relations).
The program is driven by ASA’s Nuclear Mindset, the shared qualities and attitudes underpinning ASA. Throughout the hiring process, ASA’s graduates are determined based on who exemplifies the Nuclear Mindset in the early stages of their career.
2024 graduate Robin joined the program with a background in law and commerce. They began at ASA in the Finance team, working on the 2024/25 budget in a finance business partner-type role.
Robin then transitioned to the commercial team, leading procurement projects and taking a leadership role in the probity team, ensuring Commonwealth money was spent fairly and ethically.
‘I was offered a huge amount of experience in this team,’ said Robin.
‘There are lots of career-growth opportunities at ASA, and with the Agency growing every year there are many positions available for graduates to step up.’
Robin’s final rotation was in Safeguards and Non-Proliferation, working in policy and supporting ASA’s commitment to nuclear security and safeguards as part of ASA’s Nuclear Mindset.
Upon completion of the Nuclear Graduate Program, Robin transitioned into SSN Construction. They currently work in procurement for phase three of the Optimal Pathway, developing and supporting Australian industry partners with their preparations for building Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines.
Robin said there is an ‘all hands on deck’ approach at ASA, and they are excited for the exposure and career development opportunities ASA is offering.
‘I got to experience ASA fully for what it is,’ said Robin.
‘It’s a professional working environment and I’m able to really hone my skills in commercial and contracting, which I’ve discovered I’m really passionate about. The connections I’ve developed here are why I’ve stayed.’
Another member of the cohort, Andrew, joined the Nuclear Graduate Program with an engineering background.
His first rotation was in nuclear stewardship in Canberra, before moving to Adelaide to develop the infrastructure at Osborne Submarine Construction yard. In his final rotation, Andrew worked as an engineer in Melbourne, joining the team permanently last month.
Andrew valued working alongside Submariner Captains and Commodores and learning from their thrilling career highlights – an opportunity he says is unique to ASA.
‘I was advised to use the three rotations to explore completely different parts of the Agency and how different teams operate,’ said Andrew.
He chose to stay at ASA because it’s where he sees himself professionally developing his Nuclear Mindset and leading Australia to the safe and secure delivery of our nuclear-powered submarine program.
‘I’m excited to play a role in Australia becoming one of the few countries in the world that has a nuclear-powered submarine capability.
This is going to be Australia’s largest procurement, and I want to see this through.”
You can register here for updates on when applications open for the Nuclear Graduate Program in March 2026 for the 2027 Policy & Corporate and STEM Technical pathways.