Information for applicants

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Working with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) will put you at the forefront of data protection and access to information regulation. As an independent statutory agency, the OAIC’s work is of national significance and plays an important role in shaping Australia’s information handling landscape across the economy – from government, digital platforms and the online environment, to health, finance and telecommunications. We are an agency within the Attorney-General Department’s portfolio with responsibility for:

privacy functions under the Privacy Act 1988 and other legislation
freedom of information, in particular review of decisions made by agencies and ministers under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

The OAIC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage and welcome applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and mature age people.

Selections for vacancies at the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner are based on merit.

Your application

Your application should provide enough information about your skills, knowledge and experience to allow the selection committee to assess your suitability for the position and, if interviews are being conducted, whether you should be interviewed.

Your resume should outline your previous work history in chronological order starting from your most recent position, together with a brief description of the duties associated with the positions you have held. It should also outline your education and training.

We encourage you to consider the criteria for available positions. In your written application you should address how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications make you the best person for the position. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for the role and your ability to work with us.

Please provide the name and contact details of at least two people who have agreed to act as a referee for your application. One of these people should be your current supervisor. You should advise your referees that they might be contacted and asked for either verbal or written comments on your work performance in relation to the selection criteria.

In most cases, your application, interview and referees’ comments are taken into account in reaching the final decision. In some cases you may also be asked to complete a written task. If you are selected for an interview, you will be advised of the date and time of the interview at least two days in advance. There may be occasions where an interview may not be necessary and assessment will be made on the basis of the application and referee report only.

All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application once the final decision has been made. The names of successful applicants will be notified in all formats of the electronic APS Employment Gazette.

Applications will be retained in the Human Resources section for 12 months after the selection and then destroyed.

Eligibility

All ongoing positions are generally open to all Australians. Australian citizenship is a usual requirement of engagement unless waived by the agency head.

There are restrictions on the employment of people who have accepted a redundancy benefit from an APS Agency or a non-APS Commonwealth employer.

More detailed general information on eligibility requirements is available on the Australian Public Service Commission website.