EL2 Director, Regulatory Intelligence, Regulatory Intelligence and Strategy Branch

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 numerous statutory functions including:

• 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; and
• 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 access to, information held by government and the systems used.

Leadership roles in the OAIC

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 Intelligence and Strategy (RIS) Branch informs the OAIC’s regulatory decision making and strategy, influences policy and legislative processes, and guides the regulated community to meet its privacy and FOI obligations. The Branch:

• provides intelligence and data to inform regulatory decision making by the OAIC’s Commissioners
• develops guidance and publications to educate businesses, agencies, and the community on information rights
• communicates the OAIC’s work and its impact on people and their lives, including by working with the media, business and government stakeholders
• engages with legislative and policy processes to ensure an information rights and regulatory perspective is considered
• delivers various specialist regulatory roles conferred on the OAIC (e.g., Digital ID, Consumer Data Right, My Health Record, and credit reporting regulation).

The team

The Regulatory Intelligence Team is responsible for gathering intelligence and providing data reporting and analysis to support the Commissioners to make informed decisions about regulatory action and shape the OAIC’s regulatory strategy and posture. The team collects and publishes data from APS agencies on their administration of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and is responsible for maintaining enterprise reporting and supporting the development and measurement of annual performance measures.

The team is led by the Director, two Assistant Director EL1 staff and two APS-level staff.

About The Role

The Director, Regulatory Intelligence, will provide strategic leadership, vision, and expertise to strengthen the OAIC’s regulatory intelligence capability. The role requires a collaborative and innovative approach to delivering impactful insights and driving the organisations regulatory strategy.

• Lead the development and delivery of the OAIC’ regulatory intelligence strategy, ensuring it aligns with organisational and government priorities.
• Lead horizon-scanning research and analysis to proactively identify and assess emerging technologies, trends, and new markets relevant to the OAIC’s areas of regulatory focus.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders including government agencies, industry, and academia, to foster collaboration and share intelligence.
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality data analytics, reporting, and insights to inform regulatory and enterprise decision-making at the executive level.
• Deliver high-level analysis and strategic insights to the Executive team on key developments and future challenges, shaping the OAIC’s long-term regulatory approach.
• Prepare reports and briefing papers summarising research findings and implications for the OAIC’s activities.
• Inspire and lead a high-performing team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
• Other duties as required.

Job Specific Capabilities, Skills & Experience

We are seeking applications from candidates who have:

• Awareness of the Freedom of Information Act 1982, the Privacy Act 1988 and/or knowledge of the Consumer Data Right and Digital ID programs or the ability to quickly obtain
• Experience working to design and deliver corporate reports, ideally in Power BI
• Some experience or awareness of intelligence gathering and analysis and/or researching and analysing new and emerging issues
• Confident and clear communication styles

• An ability to drive a positive, engaging and collaborative team culture – including when working remotely

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 Baseline Security clearance.

Position location

The OAIC operates a hybrid work model with a combination of remote working and office attendance.  Whilst the OAIC offices are located in the Sydney CBD and Canberra, 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

EL2 salary: $146,700 – $167,421 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 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 single page application response (one A4 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. Please email your application form, CV (maximum 3 pages) and one-page-pitch to: jobs@oaic.gov.au.
   Please format your email subject line and name your application document(s) as follows:
   First name Last Name - OAIC-2026-014 – EL2 Regulatory Intelligence