Assistant Director (EL1), Enforcement Action 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
• 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 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 NDB matters, general and funded assessments (including those for CDR and digital ID), 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.

The team

The Enforcement Action team manages enforcement litigation and regulatory action. This team also contributes to enforcement strategy and supports the Commissioner to pursue civil penalties and take other enforcement action. This team supports the Commissioners to deliver the ongoing strategic regulatory approach of the OAIC.

About The Role

The EL1 Assistant Director Enforcement Action is responsible for managing matters (e.g., civil penalty proceedings) that form part of the OAIC’s enforcement action program. Managing these matters includes engaging and instructing external solicitors and counsel, briefing and seeking instructions from internal stakeholders, managing a budget, and ensuring the OAIC meets court orders and deadlines. The Assistant Director also supports the overall management of the team and the OAIC’s enforcement litigation budget.

The main responsibilities of the Assistant Director, Enforcement Action may include:

• Coordinating enforcement litigation, including instructing internal or external lawyers
• Supporting the management of the Enforcement Action team
• Managing litigation budgets and ensuring the effective use of Commonwealth funds
• Coordinating enforcement litigation for major matters, including instructing internal or external lawyers
• Ensuring appropriate internal and external reporting on matters (e.g., to the Office of Legal Services Coordination)
• Drafting determinations and other enforcement documentation
• Providing support or regulatory advice to teams in relation to enforcement action
• Liaising effectively with both internal stakeholders including the business areas, and with external stakeholders, including external legal service providers, counsel and other government agencies
• Sharing knowledge within the team, training of staff and the development of guidance material
• Working collaboratively with other teams and branches within the OAIC
• Other duties as required

Job Specific Capabilities, Skills & Experience

We are seeking applications from candidates who have:

• Legal qualifications
• Experience operating effectively and collaboratively as part of a team in a regulatory or legal environment
• Experience in managing litigation, enforcement and compliance matters is highly desirable
• Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988, or the ability to quickly obtain this
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate with influence
• Demonstrated project management skills and experience, including the ability to manage shifting priorities and manage external contractors
• Demonstrated experience in effectively engaging with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to provide impartial and forthright advice

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 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

EL1 salary: $126,299 – $135,101 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 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. 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. 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 format your email subject field and all application documents as follows:
   “OAIC-2026-006 – EL1 Assistant Director Enforcement Action – First name Last name”.