Freedom of Information Case Manager – Department of Defence
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0770727
- Agency: Department of Defence
- Job Title: Freedom of Information Case Manager
- Position Number: GG/03811/26
- Classification: APS Level 6
- 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: $99,733 – $112,431
- Office Arrangement: Hybrid (Defence is committed to supporting workplace)
About Department of Defence
Defence’s three FOI Directorates sit within the Ministerial & Executive Coordination &
Communication division and operates in a fast paced, exciting environment. Our three FOI
Directorates work collaboratively to administer the FOI Act in Defence, including primary FOI
application processing, reviews and providing practical and solution-focused advice on all aspects
of FOI in a collaborative and supportive manner. Our FOI teams have a high performance 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 staff on FOI matters and manage all aspects of FOI reviews.
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
Our ideal candidate will be agile and adaptive, possess highly-developed written and verbal
communication skills, comfortable communicating with Senior Executives and thrive in a complex
environment. You will have well-developed analytical skills and acumen, coupled with a strong
level of strategic awareness to recognise links between interconnected issues.
You will work collaboratively and under limited direction to balance competing priorities, interpret
legislation and policy; and provide high quality evidence-based advice to stakeholders and
applicants within legislated timeframes.
Experience interpreting and applying the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and OAIC FOI
Guidelines, or similar Information Access experience, will be viewed favourably. If you are
interested in knowing more about the role we encourage you to contact the Contact Officer for
more information.
Duties
- The Role
- The Freedom of Information (FOI) Team advises and manages requests for access to documents,
- and correction of information, made under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI
- Act).The FOI team is looking for team members in the FOI Decision Support and Review teams.
- As a valued member of the FOI team, you will:
- Decision Support:
- Coordinate, review and manage the Department’s response to requests received under the
- FOI Act.
- Provide expert guidance on the application of the FOI Act, and the Office of the Australian
- Information Commissioner (OAIC) FOI Guidelines to stakeholders, including to Senior
- Executives, in the context of the Defence operating environment.
- Communicate autonomously with FOI applicants, internal and external stakeholders
- including the network of decision makers to assist the Department to support the preparation
- of well-consulted, timely, accurate decisions.
- Reviews:
- Manage and respond to requests for internal reviews received under the FOI Act.
- Manage and respond to external reviews and complaint applications made to the OAIC,
- providing technical, expert advice on the interpretation of the FOI Act and OAIC FOI
- Guidelines.
- Communicate with review applicants, relevant business areas, external stakeholders and the
- OAIC to prepare timely and accurate review decisions and submissions.
- Support litigated matters including in the Administrative Review Tribunal.
- The successful candidate will have:
- An ability to interpret and apply legislation, with demonstrated experience providing advice
- on the application of the FOI Act.
- Demonstrated coordination, organisation, and time management skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to build productive relationships with a
- range of internal and external stakeholders.
- A high standard of attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate with
- influence with a broad range of audiences.
- An ability to work independently and as part of a small, high performing team.
- An ability to handle highly sensitive information in accordance with government security
- requirements.
- Sound judgement and critical thinking skills with an ability to identify and explain risk.
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=B9F7DABE-C69B-95B2-5E22-ED1B72312
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
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