Principal Investigator

Department of Customer Service; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 133,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Customer Service in NSW seeks a Principal Investigator for the Rental Branch. Lead investigations, enforcement actions, and compliance programs focused on rental housing, STRA code, and partnerships with councils and agencies.

You will oversee a team of investigators, develop risk-based regulatory strategies, and mentor staff across multi-disciplinary teams to achieve compliance outcomes in the NSW rental market.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in regulatory/compliance settings.
• Ability to develop information and education materials for compliance.
• Experience in government investigations or willingness to complete required training.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate compliance, investigation and enforcement activities using a risk-based regulatory approach.
• Provide specialist compliance advice and assist in creating information and education materials.
• Prepare evidence and take enforcement action for breaches of the law.
• Maintain detailed records of investigations, inspections, breaches and enforcement outcomes.
• Coordinate, collect and use intelligence and data to inform operations.
• Prepare reports and presentations on operations, outcomes and trends for executives.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Job description

Principal Investigator – NSW FairTrading, Rental Branch Grade: Clerk Grade 9/10 Salary range: $133,348 – $146,945 + superannuation and leaveloading Duration: Ongoing Opportunity Location: Paramatta. Hybrid: Requirement for 2-3 days inoffice

Are you passionate about creating a fair,quality and affordable rental market in NSW? Do you have experience leading teams and driving compliance in complex environments? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

NSW Fair Trading is seeking an experienced Principal Investigator in the Rental Branch. This role provides a unique opportunity to lead key compliance, investigation and enforcement activities to strengthen the rental market and ensure compliance under relevant legislation administered by NSW Fair Trading.

About the team:

The Principal Investigator will lead a team of investigators in the Investigations & STRA team. This is a new team focused on people living in shared housing accommodation types, including boardinghouses, and matters under the Short-Term rental Accommodation (STRA) Code of Conduct.

The team leads complex investigations into potential breaches of the law and the STRA Code of Conduct, focusing on high risk of harm and serious and systemic non-compliance. The team works closely with partner agencies, councils and other specialist teams within NSW Fair Trading to deliver compliance outcomes. Investigators take enforcement action including fines, warnings, referrals for prosecution and licensing action, and take disciplinary action under the Code.

About you:

As a Principal Investigator your responsibilities will be to:

• Develop and coordinate compliance, investigation and enforcement activities using a risk based regulatory approach
• Provide specialist compliance advice and assistance in developing information and education materials
• Prepare evidence and take enforcement action for breaches of the law
• Maintain detailed records of investigations, inspections, compliance breaches, and enforcement actions and outcomes
• Coordinate, collect and use intelligence and data to inform operations
• Prepare reports and presentations on tactical operations, outcomes and trends for executives and key stakeholders
• Contribute to an end-to-end regulatory response working with multi-disciplinary teams for shared goals and outcomes
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders
• Coach and mentor a team of investigators to support a culture of high performance

To be successful you will need:

• Experience in leading teams in operational and compliance environments
• Experience in government investigations or willingness to complete required training
• A strong ability to coordinate across multiple areas of compliance
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to successfully develop and manage stakeholder relationships
• To engage in continuous professional development and training to stay updated on the latest compliance standards and investigation techniques

Salary Grade 9/10, with the base salary for this role starting at $133,348 base plus superannuation

Closing Date: Thursday 8th October 2026 (11:59pm)

Careers at Department of Customer Service

A career at the Department of Customer Service (DCS) gives you the opportunity to help improve government services and be part of reform that benefits people across NSW. We are focused on delivering excellent customer service, digital transformation, and regulatory reform. Come join us and influence the future of our great state.

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