- APS Level 6 ($104,113 - $115,131)
- International Compliance Operations | Fisheries Operations Branch
- Canberra | Ongoing
APS Level 6 (10148)
Fisheries Operation Branch
Canberra
About AFMA
The Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) aims to provide ecologically sustainable and economically efficient Commonwealth fisheries, through understanding and monitoring Australia’s marine living resources and regulating and monitoring commercial fishing, including domestic licensing and deterrence of illegal foreign fishing.
About the branch
The Fisheries Operations Branch provides high level deterrence for illegal, unreported & unregulated fishing activities. It does so by providing leadership, contract & project management & policy development.
About the section
The Compliance Operations Sections assist in the delivery of AFMA’s National Compliance and Enforcement Program and AFMA’s International Compliance and Engagement Program. Nationally, the section develops and implements measures aimed at preventing and deterring illegal foreign fishing activities within waters subject to Australian jurisdiction. The section provides comprehensive management of apprehension and prosecution processes for illegal fishing under the Fisheries Management Act 1991, Maritime Powers Act 2013, and the Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984. This includes investigating suspected breaches of Australian fisheries laws, managing the seizure, maintenance, and disposal of foreign vessels, and travelling overseas to develop, educate and encourage improved fishing practices in countries seeking our assistance or with an identified need for outreach programs.
Internationally, the team supports the management of Commonwealth Fisheries by providing operational Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS) expertise on land, in the air and at sea through participation in international enforcement activity. The team is responsible for the delivery of capacity building programs to foreign states and their agencies and are involved in the delivery of fisheries management and compliance education under the AFMA International Compliance and Enforcement Program.
What you will do
The Senior Monitoring Officer assists the Manager of Duty Officers and Coordination to deliver fisheries services through:
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providing specialist fisheries support and advice to Maritime Border Command (MBC) on suspected unlawful foreign fishing in Australian waters;
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monitoring available sources of data to verify compliance with Australian fisheries laws by Australian and foreign fishers both within the AFZ and on the high seas, where Australia has an interest;
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providing coordination responses and input into various operational strategies to mitigate potential threats to the sustainability of Commonwealth fisheries resources; and
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working closely with our domestic and international counterparts in sharing information and planning regional fisheries operations to further enhance our abilities to detect and deter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).
In addition to meeting the work level standards of the position classification, as an APS Level 6 Senior Monitoring Officer, you will:
- liaising with personnel from Maritime Border Command and Royal Australian Navy, State and Territory enforcement agencies, and various other government agencies in relation to day-to-day fisheries operations;
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advising on procedures and issues relating to the apprehension of illegal foreign fishing vessels in the AFZ, including the seizure, forfeiture and disposal of foreign fishing vessels;
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making tactical response actions in the support of deployment of resources and on the apprehension of illegal operators and report on unusual and critical incidents to senior management;
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analysing surveillance and monitoring data holdings to identify, report and refer illegal fishing activity within the AFZ and in areas Australia has an interest;
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preparing statements and evidence for prosecutions;
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preparing referral packages of illegal foreign fishing to flag States and regional fisheries management organisations;
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assisting with the development of intelligence products;
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engaging and coordination with stakeholders to deliver surveillance and monitoring activities;
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conducting operational planning to ensure AFMA’s legislative and international monitoring obligations are met;
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engaging other sections and teams to deliver activities.
Capabilities & experience
Our ideal candidate will:
- be a highly effective and positive team member to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team with demonstrated experience;
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have highly effective communication (written and verbal), liaison and interpersonal skills and can demonstrate capability in providing timely and reliable advice to both internal and external parties;
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have demonstrated relevant experience in providing technical and professional advice required of the position;
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be self-motivated and demonstrate the ability to work with independence with effective decision-making capability; and
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have experience in contributing and completing the compliance and governance reporting requirements in accordance with relevant frameworks and policies.
Role Requirements
- possess or be willing to attain a Certificate IV of Government (Investigation).
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successful candidates will be required to participate in a rotating schedule which includes overnight periods, weekends, and public holidays to support operational requirements.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for this role applicants must:
- be an Australian citizen;
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have the ability to obtain, and maintain, a Negative Vetting 1 security clearance;
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satisfy the requirements of an Australian Federal Police Check;
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either possess or be willing to attain a Certificate IV of Government (Investigation); and
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participate in a rotating schedule which includes overnight periods, weekends, and public holidays to support operational requirements.
Applications for this role close at 11:59pm (AEST), Sunday 9 August 2026.
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