Assistant Director (EL1), Investigations Regulatory Action Division

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, the My Health Records Act 2012 and in relation to the Consumer Data Right (CDR) under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, in particular, investigating breaches, handling complaints, conducting audits, developing codes, providing policy guidance and educating the public and industry on privacy
• freedom of information functions under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, in particular, review of decisions made by agencies and ministers, handling FOI complaints, monitoring and investigating agency compliance, providing policy guidance and educating government and the public on FOI rights
• Information Commissioner functions under the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 including reporting to the Minister regarding government policy and practice with respect to the collection, use, disclosure, management, administration or storage of, or accessibility to, information held by government and the systems used.

Leadership roles in the OAIC

EL1 Assistant Director, Investigations is a leadership role. Leadership within the OAIC work as a united team, collaborating and supporting each other and staff in achieving outcomes for the Australian community, and ensuring the agency’s success.

You will demonstrate leadership that aligns with the values of the OAIC, which include:

• modelling and championing the OAIC’s Guiding Principles (‘4 Pillars’): being proactive, proportionate, purpose-driven and people-focused
• acting with integrity at all times and demonstrating alignment with the APS Values: Impartial, Committed to service, Accountable, Respectful, Ethical and Stewardship
• managing limited resources effectively and aligned to the OAIC’s regulatory priorities
• empowering and supporting staff to make lawful administrative decisions in accordance with the applicable statutory framework
• leading your team and directly contributing to communicating (internally and externally) and delivering on the strategic direction of the OAIC.

About the Branch

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) matters, assessments (including those for Consumer Data Right and digital ID), and the enforcement of privacy and FOI legislation through legal action. This division provides the Agency with expertise in enforcement, investigations, compliance, and litigation, and ensures the OAIC can regulate proactively and strategically.

About The Role

The Investigations Team, Regulatory Action Division oversees the management of investigation and regulatory outcomes to promote adherence to the FOI Act and Privacy Act. This includes the management of Commissioner-initiated and some high-risk complaint investigations, and the enforcement of privacy and FOI legislation (including through legal action). The team provides the agency with investigative expertise and ensures the OAIC can regulate proactively and strategically.

The key responsibilities and work undertaken by the Assistant Director, Investigations in the Regulatory Action Division include:

• Supervising a small team of case officers or workstreams and supporting the Director with the management of team caseloads of preliminary inquiries and/or investigations.
• Identifying, monitoring, and assessing matters or trends of risk that may warrant regulatory action in accordance with the OAIC’s strategic priorities and posture.
• Conducting research, draft and review investigation plans, correspondence, high quality investigation reports, administrative decisions, and briefings to the Executive and the Regulatory Board.
• Creating and maintaining evidence matrices and the preparation of statutory notices; using evidence gathering powers to identify whether there has been a contravention of relevant laws and make risk-based recommendations.
• Contributing to strategic planning and process improvement within the Division and participating in the development and review of policies and procedures.
• Working productively with other sections of the OAIC to deliver strategic regulatory and enforcement outcomes aligned to regulatory priorities.
• Representing the OAIC at external meetings, conferences and forums.

Job Specific Capabilities, Skills & Experience

We are seeking applications from candidates who have:

• Experience operating effectively and collaboratively as part of a team in a regulatory or legal environment
• Experience in the conduct of inquiries and investigations
• Substantial experience in preparing high quality written reports, executive briefs, administrative decisions and correspondence
• Substantial experience in undertaking research and interpreting and applying legislation in complex matters
• Project management and strategic planning experience, including the ability to manage shifting priorities and implementing work plans and monitoring progress
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with excellent attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability communicate with influence, and
• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988, or the ability to quickly obtain this.

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

EL1 salary: $126,299 – $135,101 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation

Note: An employee will generally commence on the base increment point of their relevant classification salary range, unless otherwise agreed by a delegate in consideration of salary matching (existing APS staff) or in recognition of exceptional skills, experience, qualifications or expertise.

Terms and conditions of employment are set out in the OAIC’s Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027.

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 as outlined above 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 a statement of claim of a maximum of one (1) A4 page, addressing your interest, motivation and fit for the role. Your statement 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. Please email your application form, CV (maximum 3 pages) and one-page-pitch as three separate documents to: jobs@oaic.gov.au.
   Please format your email subject line and name your application documents as follows:
   First name Last Name - OAIC-2026-020 –EL1 Assistant Director, Investigations, Regulatory Action Division