Freedom Of Information Officer

St Vincent’S Health Australia; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing initiatives

Confidential employee counselling

Healthy work/life balance

Job summary

St Vincent’s Health Australia seeks a Freedom of Information Officer in our Melbourne-based Regulatory Practice Group. You will administer FOI applications and apply relevant legislation, policies, and guidance to health, personal and corporate information.

The role covers handling enquiries, processing requests, deciding on information release and exemptions, drafting correspondence, and coordinating reviews; you’ll build relationships with executives and stakeholders while ensuring compliance

Qualifications

• Experience acting as a Freedom of Information Officer (or equivalent role), ideally in a legal practice or health service.
• Demonstrated practical experience applying relevant legislation, policy, and exercising sound judgement and decision making in the management of complex health information and Freedom of Information matters.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the relevant legislation, including The Freedom of Information Act, and related Regulations and guidelines, awareness of reference materials regarding interpretation of the Act and reviews of decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to draft correspondence, templates, briefing material and reports relating to the management of FOI obligations.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with key executives and staff across St Vincent’s and with external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Apply and advise on Freedom of Information legislation, St Vincent’s policies and guidance material relevant to handling health, personal and corporate information
• Attend to all Freedom of Information enquiries in accordance with the legislative requirements and timeframes including: Assisting applicants where necessary to lodge valid Freedom of Information applications
• Processing all Freedom of Information requests or consulting with relevant parties for completion
• Responding to Freedom of Information requests including making decisions about the release of information, managing exemptions and drafting correspondence in relation to these decisions
• Review and respond to complaints made to the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner
• Assist in managing and coordinating responses to Freedom of Information reviews conducted by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner
• Manage and document Freedom of Information processes and data reporting requirements

Skills

FOI experience

Legal knowledge

Stakeholder management

Job description

Description

• Fitzroy location
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Work for one of Australia’s leading hospital groups
• Full time role

About the Role

The Freedom of Information Officer – Regulatory Practice Group is responsible for the administration of Freedom of Information applications and associated work pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.

• Apply and advise on Freedom of Information legislation, St Vincent’s policies and guidance material relevant to handling health, personal and corporate information
• Attend to all Freedom of Information enquiries in accordance with the legislative requirements and timeframes including:
  • Assisting applicants where necessary to lodge valid Freedom of Information applications
  • Processing all Freedom of Information requests or consulting with relevant parties for completion
  • Responding to Freedom of Information requests including making decisions about the release of information, managing exemptions and drafting correspondence in relation to these decisions
• Review and respond to complaints made to the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner
• Assist in managing and coordinating responses to Freedom of Information reviews conducted by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner
• Manage and document Freedom of Information processes and data reporting requirements

Your Contribution

• Experience acting as a Freedom of Information Officer (or equivalent role), ideally in a legal practice or health service
• Demonstrated practical experience applying relevant legislation, policy, and exercising sound judgement and decision making in the management of complex health information and Freedom of Information matters
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the relevant legislation, including:
  • The Freedom of Information Act, and related Regulations and guidelines, an awareness of reference materials with respect to the interpretation of the Freedom of Information Act and an understanding of the mechanisms for internal and external review of decisions under the Freedom of Information Act
  • The Health Records Act and other legislation, standards or guidelines relevant to the handling of health information and an understandig of the role of the Health Complaints Commissioner
• Demonstrated ability to draft correspondence, templates, briefing material and reports relating to the management of Freedom of Information obligations
• Ability to build trusted relationships with key executives and staff across St Vincent’s and with external stakeholders

What we Offer

• A focus on wellbeing initiatives, with regular events and programs
• Confidential, solutions-focused employee counselling
• A healthy work/life balance encouraged.

About National Legal Team

The National Legal team is responsible for the delivery of a full range of legal services to all areas of St Vincent’s operations, including identifying legal issues, managing risk and providing practical and timely advice.

Working at St Vincent’s

St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) is a leading teaching, research and tertiary health service. SVHM provides a diverse range of adult clinical services and is driven by values of Compassion, Justice, Integrity and Excellence.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Inclusion is essential to our mission and diversity reflects the community we serve.

Please visit our website, for further information regarding our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment at SVHM. SVHA has a duty of care under work health and safety legislation to eliminate and/or control the risk of transmission of vaccine preventable diseases in healthcare settings. You may therefore be required to undertake mandatory immunisations/vaccinations (including flu vaccinations). This position is subject to a Victorian government direction regarding vaccination against COVID-19. Successful applicants must meet these vaccination requirements. Please contact us if you would like to know more.

Closing Date

21 November 2026 11:59pm