FOI/Privacy practitioners, Enabling Services

About the role

We are seeking motivated FOI/Privacy practitioners at the APS5 and APS6 levels. Both roles work within the Governance, Risk and Compliance (FOI/Privacy) team to deliver statutory functions under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Privacy Act 1988. The APS6 role undertakes more complex matters, exercises greater independence, and may lead a small team and represent the team in internal and external forums.

Responsibilities

APS5 FOI/Privacy Officer

• Manage routine to moderately complex FOI matters in a high-volume environment with statutory timeframes.
• Support the Chief Privacy Officer by assisting with privacy enquiries and responding to complaints about the OAIC’s handling of personal information, as well as contributing to privacy awareness activities within the OAIC.
• Liaise with line areas to coordinate document searches and manage sensitivities with FOI disclosure, ensuring all reasonable steps are taken and maintaining productive internal relationships.
• Prepare clear and defensible FOI decision notices and contribute to privacy documentation, complying with all record-keeping obligations.
• Contribute to FOI and privacy reporting, guidance material, and continuous improvement activities.
• Provide administrative functions within the team.

APS6 FOI/Privacy Officer

• Lead complex or sensitive FOI matters in a high-volume, time-critical environment with legislated timeframes, upholding quality standards.
• Support the Chief Privacy Officer by managing complex privacy enquiries and responding to more complex complaints about the OAIC’s handling of personal information, as well as undertaking privacy awareness activities within the OAIC.
• Assist in reviewing and updating key privacy governance documents, including the Data Breach Response Plan, Privacy Management Plan, and related policies.
• Lead a small team, providing coaching and quality assurance and representing the team in internal and external forums.
• Identify systemic risks, contribute to strategic planning, and uplift initiatives that strengthen FOI, privacy, and information governance capability within the OAIC.
• Provide administrative functions within the team.

Requirements

APS5

• Ability to interpret and apply the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and Privacy Act 1988 with support.
• Knowledge of, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, FOI and privacy legislation is highly desirable.
• Strong written communication skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage a high-volume caseload and meet legislated timeframes with support and guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and contribute to team outcomes.

APS6

• Advanced understanding of FOI and privacy legislation and statutory decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage high-volume, complex matters to legislated timeframes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to lead small teams and oversee quality assurance.
• High-level written communication and analytical skills.

Highly desirable (APS5 and APS6)

• Practical experience applying the FOI Act in a government or regulatory environment.
• Experience with privacy obligations under the Privacy Act, including handling privacy enquiries or conducting privacy assessments.
• Understanding of information governance, record-keeping obligations, and defensible search processes.
• Experience working with internal stakeholders to coordinate searches, data retrieval, or document assessment.

What you'll gain

You will gain in-depth operational experience in managing FOI requests and core privacy functions for the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). These privacy functions include managing OAIC privacy complaints. Working within an agency that both administers and regulates FOI and privacy will provide you with a unique perspective on the operations of the FOI and privacy legislation.

About our team

You’ll be part of a supportive, motivated team that values collaboration and high-quality work. You will apply sound judgement and strengthen your analytical skills and build effective time and workload management capability. You will also contribute to continuous improvement across FOI and privacy processes.