11.59PM AEST, Thursday 17 September 2026
We actively seek to reflect the diversity of the Australian community in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and/or who are neurodivergent, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including people of all genders and gender identities. We uphold gender equality as a core organisational value. If you’re interested in the role but feel uncertain, we still encourage you to apply if you feel your passions, transferable skills and valuable experience align with this position.
The opportunity we have available
The EL1 Assistant Director, Freedom of Information (FOI) leads a team of FOI Case Officers. They will set priorities, monitor caseloads and manage resources to ensure compliance with statutory timeframes. The role requires strategic leadership, strong stakeholder engagement skills and a drive for continuous improvement.
Timely and effective processing of FOI requests is fundamental to maintaining transparency and accountability in government. By providing the public with access to government-held information, FOI processes promote openness in decision-making, enable scrutiny of public administration, and strengthen public confidence in government institutions.
What you will do
In this role, you will be responsible for:
- managing, leading and mentoring a team of FOI Case Officers, maintaining a positive working environment
- setting priorities and monitoring case-loads, managing resources effectively to ensure compliance with statutory timeframes
- analysing and distilling complex information, anticipating issues and contributing to ongoing issues management
- providing high quality technical FOI advice to authorised Decision Makers and Action Officers
- manage Internal Reviews and Information Commissioner Reviews, where required to do so
- assisting and supporting portfolio ministers and agencies with the processing of FOI requests, where required to do so
- developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders including portfolio Ministers’ offices, portfolio agencies and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
- contributing to the ongoing improvement of the FOI Processing Framework within the Department
- entering and maintaining data into Departmental systems to ensure accurate record keeping
Inherent requirements for the role
Essential (inherent) requirements are core components, such as knowledge, skills and abilities, required to perform the duties of the role. They may also include essential qualifications/certificates e.g. law degree. Where a role is advertised as requiring an inherent requirement or mandatory qualification, candidates who do not hold that requirement or qualification cannot be found suitable for the role.
The inherent requirements for this role include:
- The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the EL1 Work level standards.
- Experience in processing complex Freedom of Information requests.
- Strategic program management skills including an ability to develop, interpret and apply policies and processes.
- Effective people management and leadership skills.
- Ability to engage and influence stakeholders in a professional and effective manner.
- Achieves results.
- Communicates with influence.
RecruitAbility
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is committed to supporting the employment and career development of people with disability. Our participation in APS RecruitAbility means we will progress an applicant with disability to a further stage in the recruitment process, where they opt into RecruitAbility and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy.
The RecruitAbility minimum requirements are listed above under ‘inherent requirements for the role’.
You will be asked to indicate if you wish to opt into RecruitAbility in the application form. You must tick the 'opt in' box to participate in RecruitAbility. Simply declaring that you have a disability will not automatically include you.
We provide reasonable adjustments such as access, equipment or other practical support at relevant stages of
the recruitment process. Please advise in the application form or get in touch with the contact officer if you need any adjustments made.
More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.
Cultural capability requirement
The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.
As an EL1 you will be expected to:
- Lead the integration of cultural considerations into work area outcomes.
- Build trusted relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.
- Champion cultural capability within teams and challenges culturally unsafe practices.
We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering individuals to set goals, acquire new skills, and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the benefits we offer include:
- Access to our study Assistance Program that provides paid leave and financial support for you to undertake courses of study that contribute to the improvements of your professional skills and knowledge relevant to our work and broader Australian Public Service.
- Through our investment in learning and development opportunities, and a positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
- Improve your leadership skills, through the department’s Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
- Flexible working opportunities, including home based work.
- We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month’s accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.
Join our department and embark on a journey of growth, fulfillment, and well-being. Experience personal and professional development, prioritise your health, and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.
Eligibility requirements
Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:
- Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
- Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
- Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website
- Police check: The successful candidate must complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
- Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.
How to apply
Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59PM AEST, Thursday 17 September 2026.
Prior to preparing your application for the department, please read our Artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment at the department principles. The principles aim to help you use AI in a way that supports your application and maintains fairness and transparency while maintaining your integrity as a candidate. They outline what is and isn’t acceptable use of AI in APS recruitment.
In applying for this position, you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather, you should provide in a PDF document a statement of no more than two pages outlining your background, capabilities and experiences and how these align with the advertised role.
You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF, no more than three pages. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the ‘inherent requirements for the role’ section.
Your application should be received through the department’s online recruitment system prior to the closing date and time to be considered.
If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team on 02 6136 8989 or via email at [email protected] to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.
Please advise the contact officer if you require adjustments during the recruitment process. We recognize and value diversity as our strength and promote a culture of inclusion to enhance our work performance and the wellbeing of our employees. We are committed to systems that are accessible, inclusive and safe for all. If you need any further information about accessibility and inclusion at our department, please contact [email protected].
Timeline and assessment
A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.
If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.
Applications open: 3 September 2026
Applications close: 17 September 2026
Application shortlisting: 24 September 2026
Further assessments: 1 October 2026
Selection report finalised: 12 October 2026
Offers and announcements: week of 19 October 2026
The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.
Your application will be assessed against the inherent requirements of the role, the Work level standards and in comparison to other candidates who applied. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews and reference checks.
Work with us. Apply now!
