Australia touts for new spies

Australia is advertising for young people to train as spies.

In an unprecedented move, the country's foreign spy agency has posted an advertisement on its website.

It seeks university graduates to work undercover overseas.

The Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) is seeking applicants with Australian citizenship and from "a broad range of disciplines and backgrounds" to work as intelligence officers at home and abroad, the website says.

But shy, retiring types need not apply. The agency warns the recruitment process is long and intrusive.

ASIS agents are posted around the world and work closely with intelligence services such as Britain's MI6 and the US Central Intelligence Agency.

The job advertisement has been prompted by pending federal legislation that would make the spy agency subject to scrutiny by parliament and more transparent in its labour and other practices.

ASIS does not formally report to parliament and has an unspecified budget and number of staff

The ASIS site is www.asis.gov.au.