Embassy of Australia

United States of America

Embassy address: 1601 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington DC 20036 - Telephone: (202) 797 3000 - Fax: (202) 797 3168

Locally-Engaged Employment

Long-Term Contracts

Employment at the Embassy is determined by an open, merit-based selection process. Anyone may apply for a position at the Embassy regardless of current citizenship, place of residence, visa or work authorisation status. However, to be eligible for selection, all candidates must satisfy the essential selection criteria and meet any security clearance requirements. A Selection Advisory Committee will recommend a merit ranking of all interviewed eligible candidates, regardless of current work authorisation status.

To work at the Embassy, it is a requirement under United States law that you must be either a United States citizen, or a lawful permanent resident ("greencard" holder), or hold a visa in the 'A' classification. An 'A' visa takes precedence over all other visa classes, including 'E', 'F', 'G' and 'J'. If one member of a family adjusts status to an 'A' class visa, all family members must also adjust status to 'A'. United States' law prohibits one family member from holding an A-2 visa and the other in another class.

Only lawfully-married spouses or recognized dependants of Australian citizen successful candidates/employees are eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document allowing the spouse or dependant to work in the United States, including part time or temporary work at the Embassy. Spouses of candidates/employees of other nationalities are not eligible for work authorization under the relevant bilateral treaty, even if they are currently in a visa class that includes work authorization or they separately hold an Employment Authorization Document. Once the A-2 visa has been granted to the Australian candidate/employee for work at the Embassy of Australia, the spouse may not work until he or she receives an Employment Authorization Document, even if they are currently employed in the United States. This may take up to six weeks or more.

Lawful permanent residents are required to execute CIS Form I-508 on application of an 'A' class visa or risk losing their US permanent resident status. See uscis.gov > immigration forms > I-508.)

If you do not have an 'A' visa, but are eligible to apply for one on the basis of an offer of employment from the Embassy, the Embassy's Protocol Office (+1 202 797 3329) will help with your application. If your visa application is denied by a United States consular officer, the offer of employment is void.

It is often necessary for visas to be adjudicated outside the United States. Although the Embassy can assist you to make your travel arrangements, the successful candidate is responsible for all costs, including travel and accommodation related to visa applications and commencement of employment.

Applicants who have family members who are currently in a different visa class must consider the implications of employment at the Embassy seriously before accepting an offer of employment.

Go to Recruitment and Selection Process

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions of employment for LES on long-term contracts are based on Australian government and US best practice. The terms and conditions comply with labour laws specific to the US and the District of Columbia.

The Embassy offers LES an attractive salary package based on generous benefits. Benefits include 14 public holidays, 22 days recreation leave and 18 days personal leave per annum, heavily subsidised medical insurance plans, and flex leave (where eligible). More Information.

Go to LES Terms and Conditions (full version)

Temporary Contracts

Temporary employment opportunities arise from time to time for a number of reasons including:

when permanent staff members in essential positions take leave;

during the period prior to filling a vacancy; or
to manage fluctuations in workloads.

Temporary vacancies are usually filled on a short-term contract basis. Most vacancies are full-time but less than 3 months in length. Types of temporary vacancies include executive/administrative assistant, registry/file assistant, receptionist, guard, and driver.

Only those already entitled to work in the United States are eligible for temporary employment. This includes US citizens, Green Card holders and holders of A1 and A2 visas with work authorisation. Individuals will be required to present proof of work authorisation before an offer is made.

Go to Applying for Temporary Work

Occasionally, longer term temporary vacancies (6 months or more) will occur and will be advertised on our Current Vacancies page.