Assistant Director Freedom of Information (FOI) – Department of Defence
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0770737
- Agency: Department of Defence
- Job Title: Assistant Director Freedom of Information (FOI)
- Position Number: GG/03814/26
- Classification: Executive Level 1
- Closing Date: Wednesday 22 July 2026
- Job Type: Full-Time, Ongoing
- Location: Various locations – VIC VIC, Various locations – NSW
- Future Merit Locations: Various locations – ACT, Various locations – NSW,
- Salary: $124,393 – $140,315
- Office Arrangement: Hybrid (Defence is committed to supporting workplace)
About Department of Defence
The FOI Case Management and FOI Review Directorates are within the Ministerial & Executive
Coordination & Communication division and operates in a fast paced, exciting environment. The
FOI team is a small and collaborative group who are responsible for administrating the FOI Act in
Defence, this includes processing, reviews and providing practical and solution-focused advice on
all aspects of FOI in a collaborative and supportive manner.
The FOI team has a demonstrated high performing culture, the successful candidate can expect to
be challenged in their role and supported by an inclusive and considerate team and leadership
group. The team assists FOI applicants on their rights and obligations in accordance with the FOI
Act and provides specialised assistance and guidance to decision makers, coordination on FOI
matters and manages all aspects of FOI reviews, including complaints.
Due to the nature of the work, there are opportunities to work closely with the Defence leadership,
including members of the Senior Executive and members of the Australian Defence Force on a
range of topics relevant to the FOI requests Defence receives.
Our Ideal Candidate
You will demonstrate some, or all of the following characteristics:
Have strong analytical, research skills and an ability to interpret and apply legislation,
specifically the Freedom of Information Act 1982, in a logical manner.
Experienced with stakeholder management, comfortable engaging and collaborating with a
variety of stakeholders while building and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships.
Have a positive and inclusive approach to working as part of a team in a large and complex
organisation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a focus on persuasive writing skills
including the ability to communicate with influence with a broad range of audiences.
A leader with experience supervising and developing individuals, you are comfortable
providing coaching and mentoring your team.
You thrive in a fast-paced environment, and maintain an ability to consistently deliver
outcomes under pressure and statutory timeframes.
Experience working with significant autonomy, ideally within case management roles, to
prioritise and deliver multiple complex tasks within difficult timeframes.
You enjoy making things happen and learning as part of what you do.
Strong leadership skills, the ability to plan, lead, and manage resources and achieve
strategic outcomes. Effective people management skills.
Experience as an FOI practitioner will be highly regarded.
Duties
- The Role
- As an EL 1 Assistant Director within the Freedom of Information (FOI) Case Management, or FOI
- Review teams, you will work with considerable independence, and be accountable to perform and
- achieve complex management and coordination of FOI requests, or Review matters as part of a
- high-profile team, working directly with senior stakeholders across Defence and the
- Commonwealth.
- As an Assistant Director, you will possess, or be able to quickly develop extensive knowledge of
- relevant legislative frameworks, government decision-making and Defence’s mission and policy
- requirements.
- Assistant Directors perform an important leadership role, are responsible for supporting senior
- decision-makers to develop case-management strategies, based on high level decision making
- and judgement.
- The candidate will ideally have, or be able to quickly develop extensive knowledge relating to the
- application of the FOI Act, and the methodology, systems and procedures within Defence and
- have the ability to translate this into efficient, well-coordinated and quality outcomes.
Eligibility / Notes
- Security Clearance:
- Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.
How to Apply
Position Contact Cathy Donohue, 02 5108 4625
Agency Recruitment Site https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=8EFAC359-849E-E7E7-9CBF-ED1B73267
Applicants to vacancies notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette should be aware:
that the names of successful applicants will also be notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette
applicants found suitable may be offered similar employment opportunities by other Australian Public Service agencies
Defence Vacancy