FOI Officer

Australian Human Rights Commission; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 100,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Human Rights Commission invites applications for a full-time/part-time legal role in Sydney with a focus on Freedom of Information and privacy matters. You will manage FOI requests, advise on privacy breaches, and assist with threshold assessments and investigations.

The role offers a competitive salary range, 15.4% superannuation, and flexible hybrid/remote work options. Initial 12-month term with potential for ongoing employment, subject to performance.

Qualifications

• Experience in FOI and privacy roles is desirable but not mandatory.
• Ability to prepare high quality decisions within a regulatory framework and work independently.
• Strong organisational skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Process and assist in timely FOI decision processing, including handling routine and moderately complex requests.
• Assist with privacy enquiries and prepare privacy assessments and investigations.
• Contribute to policies, templates and guidance materials; maintain information management standards.

Skills

FOI knowledge

Privacy compliance

Regulatory framework

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Legal qualification (Australian or comparable)

Job description

Australian Human Rights Commission – Sydney NSW

The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is Australia’s national human rights institution, dedicated to fostering a society where human rights are upheld, protected, and celebrated. We envision an Australia where every individual is valued equally in dignity and rights.

Our mission involves promoting and safeguarding the human rights of all Australians by:

• Advising all levels of government and various public and private organisations.
• Strengthening laws, policies, and practices while providing accessible investigation and conciliation services.
• Engaging inclusively with civil society, communities, and the private sector.
• Raising awareness about human rights and offering educational resources.
• Collaborating with partners to cultivate a culture of respect for human rights across the nation.

Our Legal Division is a small, dynamic team that provides the services of in-house counsel to the Commission. Our lawyers give high level legal advice on a range of issues including human rights and anti-discrimination law, commercial issues, matters of corporate governance and FOI and privacy.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to meaningful work by providing advice on Freedom of Information and privacy matters. You will manage a diverse range of FOI requests and reviews, advise on privacy breaches and complaints, privacy notices and privacy impact assessments.

This full-time / part time, ongoing / non ongoing position offers a competitive salary range of $99,734 – $111,701 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation.

The position will initially be offered for a 12 month period, with the possibility of becoming ongoing.

We offer flexible, hybrid and remote work options.

The key duties of the position include:

What You’ll Do:

• Process and assist in the timely processing of decisions concerning applications under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth), including:
  • managing a case load of routine and moderately complex FOI requests and other requests for information,
  • escalating complex, sensitive or high-risk matters to senior staff,
  • liaising with internal and external stakeholders to gather, compile and record relevant information in accordance with legislative and procedural requirements, and
  • preparing draft FOI documents, including correspondence and decisions.
• Conduct accurate and timely regulatory work in other areas as required, including privacy work:
  • assisting with privacy-related enquiries and requests from internal and external stakeholders,
  • supporting the preparation of privacy threshold assessments and privacy impact assessments, and
  • contributing to preliminary investigations into, and resolution of, potential privacy breaches.
• Supporting the development and maintenance of policies, procedures, templates and guidance materials, including updating documents and resources.
• Maintain office standards for timeliness, confidentiality and information management.

Eligibility

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience working for a federal, state or territory government department or agency in an FOI or privacy role will be well regarded but is not mandatory.
• Legal or other relevant qualifications from an Australian educational institution, or a comparable overseas qualification, will be well regarded but are not mandatory.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare high quality decisions within a regulatory framework and provide support in a professional manner, working independently within established policies, procedures and guidance, and escalating issues as appropriate.
• Ability to undertake work under limited direction with the opportunity for reasonable autonomy and accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage own workload, proactively progress matters, and balance competing priorities to meet deadlines in a complex and fast-paced environment.
• Well developed organisational skills and high attention to detail, with the ability to maintain accurate records, manage documentation, and ensure work is completed to a high standard.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and professionally, and to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including when dealing with sensitive or complex matters, with appropriate guidance and support.

Notes

Why Join Us?

By becoming a part of our team, you'll play a vital role in influencing public conversations about human rights and making a meaningful impact. If you’re ready to use your skills to support a cause that matters, we want to hear from you!

Applications close:5pm AEST 13 October 2026

Notes

We value inclusivity and diversity and seek people who support and model the behaviours we promote in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians, mature workers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, culturally and marginalised communities, carers, LGBTIQA+ and people with disability.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS). An Agency Head may waive the requirement for citizenship prior to engaging an individual where it is appropriate to do so.

The Commission is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive work environment to enable people with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustment as required to assist your participation in this recruitment process.

Please note that this position may be filled on either an ongoing or non-ongoing basis. If an offer of non-ongoing employment is made, the successful applicant would be employed for an initial period of up to twelve months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years in total. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the Commission where the duties are of a similar nature.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

For more Information

Information about the role and Commission practices may be sought from Graeme Edgerton via email ***************@humanrights.gov.au