ASIS turns to Vogue and social media in public recruitment push

Australia’s Secret Intelligence Service is taking a more public approach to recruitment, including work with Vogue Australia and new digital outreach. The campaign is aimed at attracting younger candidates to a field that usually stays out of public view.

According to the supplied report, ASIS has refreshed its website, opened new social media accounts and put Director-General Kerri Hartland in more public settings than is typical for the agency. Hartland appeared at Vogue Codes in 2025, and ASIS was listed as an official partner of the event in 2026.

The recruitment message appears to focus on more than academic or technical credentials. Hartland told ABC that ASIS is also seeking people with strong personal judgement, communication skills and the ability to understand social dynamics.

The report also frames the move as part of a wider pattern among intelligence agencies, with MI6 and the CIA previously using more public-facing campaigns. Chris Taylor of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said competition for talented young people is intense, while the secrecy attached to intelligence careers can make recruitment harder.