Freedom of Information Case Management APS5, APS6, EL1 (Multiple roles)

About the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

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. Our mission is to uphold and promote Australia’s privacy and freedom of information laws.

We are an agency within the Attorney-General’s Department portfolio with responsibility for:

• privacy functions under the Privacy Act 1988 and the Digital ID Act 2024
• freedom of information functions, in particular review of decisions made by agencies and ministers under the Freedom of Information Act 1982
• privacy and confidentiality functions in relation to the Consumer Data Right (CDR) under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA).

About The Roles

APS5 Assistant Review Advisor/APS6 Review Advisor

The Freedom of Information Case Management Branch is looking for talented people to fill APS 5 Assistant Review Adviser and APS 6 Review Adviser roles to deliver our strategic priorities.

The work of our Assistant Review Advisers and Review Advisers is primarily focused on assisting the Australian Information Commissioner and Freedom of Information Commissioner to conduct external review of agencies and ministers’ decisions under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) and investigating agency actions under the FOI Act.

The work you may undertake could include:

• managing a caseload of Information Commissioner reviews and/or FOI complaints, including through obtaining relevant information from parties, and issuing preliminary views where appropriate and preparing case plans to assist with drafting IC review decisions
• working with parties to attempt to informally resolve Information Commissioner reviews or FOI complaints, including through facilitating revised decisions or agreements between the parties
• assessing and deciding extension of time requests received from agencies and Ministers under the FOI Act
• preparing administrative decisions, correspondence and formal notices in relation to IC review applications or complaints under the FOI Act
• providing written and oral advice on the application of the FOI Act and associated legislation.

Staff at the APS 6 level generally undertake more complex work and may be involved in decisions of a more significant nature than staff at the APS 5 level. They provide advice, training and guidance to more junior staff. They may also have a higher caseload, and greater autonomy and accountability in stakeholder management, decisions, and other tasks, factoring in the classification and Work level standards.

Successful candidates will be placed in the team/role based on the candidate's skill set and operational needs.

We are seeking applications from candidates with the following skills and attributes:

• Experience in merits review and/or administrative law
• Knowledge of, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, the Freedom of Information Act 1982
• The Panel would look favourably on candidates who also have tertiary qualification in law.

The role will be required to be undertaken in line with the appropriate Work Level Standard.

These duties are to be performed in accordance with the APS Code of Conduct and APS Values and Office policies, including Workplace Diversity and Work Health and Safety. Under section 25 of the Public Service Act 1999 the Office may re-assign the duties of an employee from time to time.

• EL1 Assistant Director/Senior Review Advisor
• APS5 Assistant Review Advisor/APS6 Review Advisor

Security requirements

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance.

Position location

The OAIC operates a hybrid work model with a combination of remote working and office attendance.  Whilst the OAIC office is located in the Sydney CBD (and preferred), we will consider candidate applications from all other locations within Australia.

The OAIC values face-to-face interaction and fostering connection between our people and with our stakeholders. The OAIC’s hybrid work model expects in office attendance when the type of work or task is better suited to being completed from an office, for example, staff inductions and onboarding, planning days, relationship building activities and project or collaborative work.

Remuneration and benefits

APS5 salary: $84,677 - $89,520 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation

APS6 salary: $93,372 - $102,821 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation

EL1 salary: $117,674 - $125,876 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation

The OAIC is committed to enabling its people to perform at their best and offers the following benefits:

• Opportunity to work at the cutting edge of privacy and data protection, paving the way for future career opportunities.
• Access to ongoing professional development, with a capability framework to guide skill enhancement.
• Genuine flexibility to help achieve a balance between work and home life.
• Additional paid leave over the Christmas to New Year period as well as access to other leave (e.g. for study or moving).
• Contribution to your wellbeing through subsidies for eye health, flu vaccinations and a wellbeing allowance.

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

Eligibility

• Section 22 of the Public Service Act 1999 requires that APS employees must be Australian citizens.
• There are restrictions on employment of people who have, within the previous 12 months, accepted a redundancy benefit from an APS agency or a non-APS Commonwealth employer.
• For the duration of your employment with the OAIC you will be required to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance at the Negative Vetting Level 1 and meet required background, identification and character checks.
• Note: All duties are to be performed in accordance with the APS Code of Conduct and APS Values and OAIC policies, including Workplace Diversity and Work Health and Safety. Under section 25 of the Public Service Act 1999 the OAIC may re-assign the duties of an employee from time to time.

How to Apply

1. Please complete the application form found at the end of this job pack as part of your submission.
2. You are asked to provide a single page application response (one-page-pitch) addressing your interest, motivation and fit for the role. Your pitch should include the use of practical and professional examples as relevant to the role and the job specific capabilities, skills and experience outlined above.
3. Your application form, CV (maximum 3 pages) and one-page-pitch should be collated as one document (where possible) and sent in a single email to: jobs@oaic.gov.au.  Please ensure your email includes your full name in the email subject field, along with the job reference number found on the front page of this pack.