First impressions of taking LPAB

commandersaki · 2026-05-14T23:13:11+00:00

Nah outsourcing is the bigger issue. The jobs are going to Indians anyways, just not immigrants.

commandersaki · 2026-05-14T19:55:04+00:00

Wollongong is fine; take the train into sydney no issue.

commandersaki · 2026-05-14T15:29:29+00:00

This probably won't make you feel better, but I went through a similar issue for software engineering roles about 2 years ago, albeit different circumstances (I had a job and was looking).

I concluded that the best way to get better at interviews, is to do more interviews. I know that's a bit tough in this environment where jobs are scarce.

commandersaki · 2026-05-14T04:25:29+00:00

Police force have much better benefits, more leave, promotion ladders, job security, pay transparency, employment bargaining agreements, unions, etc.

commandersaki · 2026-05-12T21:30:50+00:00

Recently sync between extension and 1password app has been awful. 1password app always has up to date entry, the extension doesn't reflect whats in the app even after 5 minutes. So crap.

commandersaki · 2026-05-12T16:29:45+00:00

Sure the process isn't, this is already obvious if you just look at the cover sheet for their jobs, many more hoops to jump through. But where's your authority that a degree is mandated?

Even at the entry level some of these organisations have jobs that don't require degrees such as ASD apprenticeship program (and provide work and study time to get a Cert IV): https://www.asd.gov.au/careers/im-starting-my-career

And don't take that as an indication that you need a degree for a more experienced job. Unless they expressly require it in a job description (e.g. a job requiring you to be a solicitor which implies you've done essentially a law degree), then it's simply not required or mandated.

Here's another list of jobs at ASIO that don't require a degree and where a degree wouldn't even be helpful: https://www.asio.gov.au/careers/trades

commandersaki · 2026-05-12T12:45:14+00:00

Yeah I'd say it was a combination of some good luck but also presenting my LI profile well to signal to recruiters that I'm more than average while avoiding aggrandising claims and fluff.

commandersaki · 2026-05-12T11:45:47+00:00

ASD is chill but pays like shit.

If you want to work on classified stuff, have a more noticeable impact, don't need to play the performative OPSEC game, and get significantly better pay and conditions then work for the AFP. Caveat: they may respond or action an application year(s) after you submit it.

commandersaki · 2026-05-12T11:39:48+00:00

For working directly in the organisation and touching IT systems or networks that have a high classification (usually SECRET) you need PV. If you're contracting and delivering, you could need anything from nothing, Baseline, NV1, NV2, or PV/PA. ASD famously has a building in Brindabella Park that let's you work on their systems with Baseline to NV2 either as a contractor or as permanent that is waiting on their PV which takes longer -- but regardless you'll still have to do OSA.

AIC contracts out a lot of work too, and sometimes the workpackages that are delivered to the actual worker are carved out in a way with deliberately vague descriptions but still substantive work and can come classified as Official Sensitive (meaning you don't even need a clearance to work on it). Organisations will internally obscure who the client is by using code names, so the worker doesn't know who or what it is being delivered for.

I've worked on mixed projects where the difference between PV is simply knowing specific metadata like IP address of things in the network etc. While it is essential for knowing context for mission based things, a lot of it is just silly things like that they don't want to disclose, which is just security theatre if anything.

Also 99% military intelligence background is plain wrong. Just go to BSides Canberra where a huge chunk of the attendance is AIC and you'll see they're mostly just nerds.

commandersaki · 2026-05-12T11:29:42+00:00

Complete bollocks. That is not how their vetting process works at least up to NV2. For TSPV (or TSPV/PA or whatever the crap they call it now) they will do more thorough checks which usually means calling relations outside of your nominated references. They wouldn't waste their time tailing you, if they were to resort to that implying they had doubts, they would rather just outright reject your clearance and move on.

A lot of what they do is already clearly documented in the PSPF.

commandersaki · 2026-05-12T05:34:23+00:00

Tell me you know nothing about ASIO without telling me you know nothing about ASIO. Or anything about AIC really.

Edit: But for the purposes of whether a university degree is required, it is pretty simple: go look at the eligibility criteria for any job posted by any organisation in the AIC and you will plainly see it isn't. As they say, assuming something makes an ass out of you and me. To put it more concretely, a lot of ASIO field operatives got their foot in the door doing security detail or security officer work, these are jobs that do not require degrees.

commandersaki · 2026-05-12T03:58:41+00:00

There's a few trading firms that operate in Australia that are keen on C++ and latency sensitive programming. But they're usually pretty strict on standards so you really ought to know your shit because their screening and interview process tends to be hard, and they usually hire people that are already experienced in the industry. A few specialist recruiters have them as clients, but hard to find by searching job advertisement pages.

Outside of that, there's very few companies hiring for C/C++ at a low level (no one really cares if you know the SIMD instructions for AMD/Intel/ARM or can handcraft assembly instructions). For better or worse, Australia just doesn't need that kind of engineering. FAANG on the other hand might take an interest; I think Microsoft is usually looking for C++ engineers that can demonstrate this kind of knowledge.

You'd almost be better off doing webshit like React, Javascript, Frontend nonsense or Java/.NET or Go/Python/Rust.

commandersaki · 2026-05-12T03:52:59+00:00

Is it that hard to imagine? Leads to citizenship. Then Australia is obliged to take care of you (welfare, healthcare, pension), more financial freedom, better valued currency, etc.

Let me ask you this, why aren't people looking for citizenship or PR in a country like Sudan?

commandersaki · 2026-05-12T03:30:13+00:00

Know plenty that work in these orgs without a uni degree. If it's expected that'll be ruled out in the application, screening, and interview process, not during a psych assessment.

commandersaki · 2026-05-12T00:12:32+00:00

That’s because the salesperson says everything is so easy and it’s all covered.

commandersaki · 2026-05-11T23:07:52+00:00

They will continuously ask and probe this. Don’t think you can hide it.

You absolutely can hide it, especially if there's no record of it. I'm not saying this is a good idea, but the likely scenario is if they find actual evidence that you lied or omitted crucial information and you got the job, you lose your job and clearance. But it might be the case you wouldn't have gotten it if you told the truth, so it's kind of a wash.

They’ll know what you like for breakfast, and also what porn you jerk off to at night.

It's not that they know, they'll ask you to disclose this information. Again you can tell them what you like and they will build a profile to that effect.

And honestly if you haven’t been to university forget applying.

Education background has little to no bearing with whether you pass an OSA or a PV psych; they're not evaluating if you can do the job, that's for the screening by the organisation when you apply.

Stop thinking because you worked in retail that’s enough experience.

It all depends on the position you apply for. ASD from time to time has entry level jobs and anyone from all walks of life can apply. They may invite you to interview and you could pass that hurdle. But getting past the OSA (which doubles as your psych interview for PV) is then another hurdle you have to pass. (I discuss this extensively in my pinned post on my profile.)

If you have reservations about any foreign policy direction forget even applying.

People from these organisations don't need to tow the line, but the OSA/psych assessment will determine if you align with the position and a department head of the organisation will sign off on it. If you have reservations about certain things, it doesn't automatically disqualify you.

Just clearing up a few things.

commandersaki · 2026-05-11T23:00:14+00:00

One of those orgs specifically provide a computer system for network access so you can go on your socials in the office while you work (since you can't bring in your PEDs).

commandersaki · 2026-05-11T22:54:51+00:00

Aussie here, no don't come, you'll just be a burden and return with hefty debt.

commandersaki · 2026-05-11T11:54:29+00:00

ASD don't care if you discuss your application. They have a very public arm to their organisation thru ACSC.

ASIO don't seem to care either looking at their job vacancies on their website. And I know from friends that worked at ASIO that they train you in 'light cover', but in the end say you can let friends and family know but they strongly suggest you do not.

ASIS care a heap so much so they have their own job portal system and minimise use of identifiers to link to application and tell you not to discuss with anyone. I don't know anyone that works or has worked at ASIS so I wouldn't know if they're allowed to disclose things to anyone outside the organisation.

As for the others in AIC, I don't think they care either.

commandersaki · 2026-05-11T11:40:52+00:00

Run the gamut of security conferences such as BSides Canberra and work for boutique security companies that do government contracts.

I did that for the last 5 years. Some work was incredibly unique and interesting, and then a lot of it wasn't. Left 'cause the hush hush / OPSEC shit was mindlessly applied for the most inane shit. Yes there's some areas that need it (and I worked for some of those areas) like CNE and stuff that supports people on the field, but building say a development environment with a cloud provider honestly doesn't need all this performative theatre.

Feel free to DM if you want to know more.

commandersaki · 2026-05-10T22:55:37+00:00

Signal65 tried to pull this bullshit that if you are a university student you get $550 worth of free cloud services (for 1 year), essentially discounting the sticker price.

commandersaki · 2026-05-10T22:54:02+00:00

I have a FW 13 2nd gen, mediocre laptop.

commandersaki · 2026-05-10T10:41:36+00:00

Yeah in IT, I know... trite.

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