Investigations and Determinations, (Multiple roles) APS5, APS6, EL1

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).

Where the roles fit in the OAIC

The OAIC is seeking candidates with demonstrated investigations skills across the APS5 to EL1 levels for roles in the:

• Regulatory Action Division and
• Information Rights Division, in the Privacy Case Management branch.

Regulatory Action Division

The Regulatory Action division oversees the management of compliance, investigation and enforcement to promote adherence to the FOI Act and Privacy Act. This includes the management of Commissioner-initiated and some high-risk complaint investigations, complex Notifiable Data Breach (NDB) scheme matters, general and funded assessments (including those for CDR and digital ID), monitoring compliance, and the enforcement of privacy and FOI legislation through legal action. This division provides the agency with expertise in enforcement, investigations, and litigation, and ensures the OAIC can regulate proactively and strategically.

Privacy Case Management

Privacy Case Management is a critical function within the Information Rights Division, responsible for managing and resolving high-risk and complex privacy complaints. This team of experts applies their specialist knowledge to assess privacy complaints, develop detailed privacy decisions, and facilitate effective resolutions. They ensure that privacy concerns are handled in accordance with legal frameworks, while also contributing to cross-team initiatives to enhance efficiency in case management practices. Through collaboration with other case management teams, Privacy Case Management strives to implement best practices and deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes.

The Job

Candidates may be placed in the Regulatory Action Division or Privacy Case Management Branches.

All roles at the OAIC require you to maintain a high level of integrity and discretion and abide by the APS Code of Conduct, combined with a demonstrated understanding of the principles and practices of Work Health and Safety, equity, and diversity in the workplace.

You are encouraged to familiarise yourself with the APS Work Level Standards for your relevant classification.

About the Roles

• APS5, Investigator - multiple roles
• APS6, Investigations Officers - multiple roles
• APS6, Determinations (Privacy Case Management)
• Assistant Director (EL1), Investigations - multiple roles

Capabilities, Skills & Experience applicable to all roles

Desirable for all roles:

• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988 or the ability to quickly acquire this knowledge
• Experience conducting investigations in a regulatory environment
• Legal experience and/or legal qualifications
• Stakeholder management experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability communicate with influence

Desirable for EL1

• Project and risk management experience.

These duties are to be performed in line with the relevant APS Work Level Standards for the role.

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.

Security requirements

You must be able to obtain and maintain a minimum Baseline 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 Baseline level (minimum) 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. Please provide:
   1. a resume (aim for a maximum of 2-3 pages) and
   2. statement of claim of up to one A4 page, addressing the duties, capabilities, skills and experience relevant to the role outlined above. Your statement should include the use of practical and professional examples of your skills and experience as relevant to the role.
3. Your application form, CV and statement of claim 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.