Senior Investigations Officer

Victorian Government; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Victorian Government’s VECRA agency seeks a Senior Investigations Officer to join the Complex Investigations Branch in Melbourne. You will undertake investigations, complaints management, triage, and evidence analysis to support procedurally fair regulatory decisions and child safeguarding.

You will research, report, build stakeholder relationships, collect evidence, and prepare clear findings and recommendations for decision-makers, while maintaining high professional standards and

Qualifications

• Strong background in regulation, child safety, investigations or law.
• Proven ability to conduct thorough investigations and produce actionable reports.
• Experience liaising with diverse stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Commitment to trauma-informed practice and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• conduct thorough research, compile comprehensive reports and cultivate relationships with stakeholders to offer expert advice and support to decision makers
• undertake evidence collection commensurate with the seriousness of allegations, ensuring enforcement action or prosecution can be pursued on the basis of the investigation findings
• communicate findings and recommendations clearly and tailored to the audience and purpose, both in writing and verbally
• understand the role of VECRA and ensure their work contributes to the objectives and priorities of the regulator.

Skills

Research

Reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory affairs

Investigations

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Working with Children check

Driver's license

Job description

Occupation: Governance and risk management

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DE/VECRA/1953529

Undertake investigations, complaints management, triage and evidence analysis within VECRA’s Complex Investigations Branch. Provide research, reporting and advice to support procedurally fair regulatory decisions and child safeguarding.

About the Branch

The Complex Investigations Branch is responsible for leading and supporting complex investigative activities across VECRA. The Branch currently comprises three business units that work collaboratively with regional and central teams to ensure consistent, high-quality investigative, triage and complaint handling practices.

• Central Investigations Unit
  The Central Investigations Unit undertakes complex and high-risk investigations and provides expert advice and guidance on investigative matters. The Unit also supports regional teams' investigation activity and leads VECRA's investigations approach to ensure effective, thorough, timely and procedurally fair investigations.
• Complex Child Safeguarding Investigations Unit
  The Complex Child Safeguarding Investigations Unit is responsible for delivering high-quality, rigorous investigations into complex, sensitive, and often high-profile child safeguarding matters.
• Triage Unit (new)

The Triage Unit will implement a new system of triaging and complaints management. VECRA receives a high-volume of notifications and complaints and the team will work closely with central and regional operations teams to expertly triage to ensure responsiveness, transparency and adherence to governance.

The Units also manage important projects for VECRA related to areas of expertise and lead, oversee or triage investigations involving allegations of child sexual abuse, serious misconduct, or significant risk to children. Work in this branch requires a high level of professionalism, discretion, and trauma-informed practice.

About the Role

Help shape safer, higher-quality outcomes for children through meaningful regulatory work.

An opportunity is available for a highly motivated individual with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills and a passion for meaningful work to join VECRA as a Senior Investigations Officer.

The role sits in the Complex Investigations Branch and reports to the relevant Unit Manager and may be required to work across the Complex Investigations Branch (see ‘About the Branch' section above for Unit details).

The successful applicant will:

• conduct thorough research, compile comprehensive reports and cultivate relationships with stakeholders, to offer expert advice and support to decision makers
• undertake evidence collection commensurate with the seriousness of allegations, ensuring enforcement action or prosecution can be pursued on the basis of the investigation findings
• communicate findings and recommendations clearly and tailored to the audience and purpose, both in writing and verbally
• understand the role of VECRA and ensure their work contributes to the objectives and priorities of the regulator.

The role involves working directly with complainants, parents, those working in education and care services as well as operators of those services. Excellent written and verbal communication, strong judgement and thorough understanding of VECRA's role, policies and legal requirements will be essential.

Senior Investigations Officers contribute to delivery of programs and initiatives in the Complex Investigations Branch by undertaking and supporting thorough investigations, complaints management, triage, evidence gathering and analysis as well as detailed record keeping and reporting. The role will support enforcement and prevention strategies, build stakeholder relationships, advise senior decision-makers, and drive continuous improvement.

Attributes

For more details regarding the required attributes please see attached position description.

Qualifications and Experience

• Essential: Relevant qualificati ons and/or experience in regulation, child safety, investigations, law or similar.
• Essential: Successful applicants will be required to hold a valid Victorian Working with Children's Check and Victorian driver's licence.

Further Information

VECRA values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for VECRA, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the VECRA website and our Diversity and Inclusion page .

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about VECRA's operations and employment conditions can be located on the VECRA website .

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Antone Chin, Manager Central Investigations on [phone] or at [e-mail] .

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to VECRA will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g. large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on 02 November 2026.

Applications close Monday 2 November 2026 at 11.59pm