Director and Principal Director (EL2), Information Rights Division, multiple positions

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.

The OAIC is established under the Australian Information Commissioner (AIC) Act 2010 (Cth). We are an agency within the Attorney-General’s Department portfolio with responsibility for:

• privacy functions under the Privacy Act 1988 and other legislation, such as the Digital ID Act 2024, the My Health Records Act 2012 (Cth) and in relation to the Consumer Data Right (CDR) under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (CCA), and
• freedom of information functions, including merits review of decisions made by agencies and ministers under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 1982.

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

Key expectations of EL2 Directors in IRD

Key expectations of an EL2 Director / Principal Director in the Information Rights Division:

• providing leadership, direction and support to staff working in a fast-paced, high workload environment
• overseeing the preparation of data reports, monitoring performance against KPIs and ensuring accuracy in decisions whilst meeting deadlines
• developing and implementing tools to guide effective, timely and lawful decision-making in a high-volume case management environment
• leading teams to prepare and finalise comprehensive, evidence-based and documented reasons for decisions in accordance with the statutory framework, the principles of administrative law, internal procedures and Commissioner priorities
• exercising delegations and judgement in accordance with the applicable statutory framework and the principles of administrative law
• leading teams to communicate with influence and effectively manage interactions with empathy, impartiality and respect
• working collaboratively with colleagues across the OAIC to deliver on the organisation’s priorities, support an integrated end-to-end regulatory model, and position the OAIC as a trusted regulator
• providing expert advice and developing and maintaining effective and productive relationships with APS agencies, industry and the private sector, and representing the OAIC in external forums

About The Roles

Principal Director, Intake and Eligibility Branch

The Principal Director (EL2), Intake and Eligibility Branch, is a key member of the OAIC’s leadership team and reports directly to the Executive General Manager, Information Rights Division. The Principal Director has significant responsibility for leading the intake and triage function for all enquiries, complaints, applications and notifications lodged with the OAIC under the statutory regimes we administer.

The Principal Director, Intake & Eligibility will:

• support the Australian Information Commissioner, FOI Commissioner and the Privacy Commissioner in undertaking regulatory functions under the AIC Act, FOI Act 1982, Privacy Act and related legislation.
• work with a high degree of independence, leading teams responsible for the intake and triage of FOI review applications and complaints, privacy complaints, notifiable data breach notifications, and complaints received by the OAIC under other statutory regimes we administer such as the My Health Records Act 2012. The Principal Director also oversees the OAIC’s front-line enquiries service and manages our direct engagement with the community and the sectors we regulate, including through the dissemination of timely and accurate information following major events.
• support and champion effective case management, and build and maintain capability to ensure the delivery of work in a way is aligned with Commissioner priorities and delivers on Branch key performance indicators
• manage resources effectively in a fiscally constrained environment and work proactively with colleagues in the OAIC to ensure a one-OAIC approach to deliver quality outcomes for the Australian public in line with the OAIC’s service charter and standards.

Director, Regulatory Coordination, Privacy Case Management Branch

The Director, Regulatory Coordination, is a key member of the Privacy Case Management and Information Rights Division leadership team, and reports directly to the General Manager, Privacy Case Management Branch.

The Director, Regulatory Co-ordination will:

• plan, manage and deliver a caseload of complex investigations and complaints and provide expert advice on regulatory and operational matters
• lead the management of representative complaints made under the Privacy Act in accordance with the statutory framework and administrative law practice and principles
• provide strategic regulatory advice on the management of multiple and concurrent complaints and regulatory actions, often in a contested environment, and identify risks, and develop strategies and recommendations in respect to the strategic management of complaints
• develop and implement agency strategic projects, processes and protocols to manage a high-volume and complex caseload in a manner that aligned to the OAIC’s regulatory priorities and supports delivery and capability
• progress correspondence, briefs, notices, decisions and recommendations (including making delegated administrative decisions)
• manage resources effectively in a fiscally constrained environment and deliver on key performance indicators within your section
• support and contribute to delivery of whole of agency priorities, and work collaboratively with other teams in the OAIC
• develop and maintain effective and productive networks with government agencies, regulators, business, industry, and state and territory counterparts, and represent the OAIC at external forums.

Director, Client Services, Intake & Eligibility Branch

The Director, Client Services, is a key member of the Intake and Eligibility Branch and Information Rights Division leadership team and reports to the Principal Director, Intake and Eligibility Branch. The Director has significant responsibility for leading the intake and triage function for all cases reported to the OAIC.

The Director, Client Services will:

• supervise and lead a team of intake officers and manage the first point of contact function for all community engagement and applications, notifications, complaints and enquiries received in the OAIC via phone, the OAIC website, email and hard copy correspondence
• manage resources effectively in a fiscally constrained environment and work with Assistant Directors and other members in the Intake and Eligibility Branch to triage, assess and progress matters in a high-volume environment
• develop and implement processes and protocols to support staff capability and the timely progress of applications, complaints and notifications, and supervise, train, coach and mentor staff to drive outcomes
• identify risk and monitor and report on strategic issues and trends
• draft and issue correspondence, exercise sound judgment and make delegated decisions in accordance with the statutory framework and principles of good administrative decision making
• foster a one OAIC culture and work collaboratively with colleagues to deliver on the Branch key performance indicators and agency priorities.

Capabilities, Skills & Experience

We are looking for highly motivated individuals who enjoy leading a team, working independently, and who possess the following skills:

• Legal, investigation or other relevant qualifications
• Knowledge of the FOI Act and the Privacy Act,or the ability to quickly acquire this knowledge
• Experience in administrative law, decision-making and merits review
• Experience in complaint handling or broad experience managing an externally facing high performing team responsible for managing complaints to resolution
• Knowledge of the FOI Act, Privacy Act and related legislation, or a demonstrated ability to acquire it
• Ability to provide impartial and forthright advice
• Leadership skills including a demonstrated ability to build capability and empower, guide and mentor a group of professionals
• Experience fostering a positive and collaborative culture
• Demonstrated management skills and experience, including the ability to manage shifting priorities
• Strong ability to interpret and apply legislation
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly with influence and to a range of audiences
• Demonstrated experience in effectively engaging with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of integrity and act in accordance with the APS Values and Code of Conduct at all times.

The Panel would look favourably on candidates who also have the following:

• Tertiary qualification in law or other relevant fields
• Experience managing a team delivering high volume and/or complex casework in a contested environment
• Experience engaging with the community and diverse stakeholders
• Experience operating in a regulatory or casework environment with a legislative basis

For identified roles, you will need to hold a Certificate IV in Government Investigations (or higher) or be willing to obtain this qualification within 6 months of commencement.

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.

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

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

EL2 salary: $146,700- $167,421 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation.

Salary for the Principal Director, Intake and Eligibility Branch role may be negotiated with the successful candidate commensurate with EL2 work level standards.

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

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 a minimum of Baseline level and meet required background, identification and character checks.

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 maximum one-page statement of claim (one-page-pitch) addressing your interest, motivation and fit for the role. Your pitch should include the use of practical and professional examples 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 format your email subject field and all application documents as follows:
   “OAIC-2026-004 – EL2 Director/Principal Director – First name Last name”.