APS6 Regulatory, Compliance, Assurance and Risk Officers

Applications for this position close on Sunday 1 November at 11.30pm AEDT

The Opportunities 

Australian Passport Office (APO) 

The Australian Passport Office is seeking APS6 Senior Risk and Assurance Officers to plan, coordinate and undertake complex risk and assurance activities across APO’s operational and enabling functions. 

The role supports the ongoing maintenance and improvement of APO’s Internal Controls Framework and the delivery of a risk-based assurance program that evaluates the design and operating effectiveness of key controls. APS6 officers will lead or independently undertake assurance reviews, determine appropriate testing approaches, analyse complex evidence and provide clear, defensible findings and recommendations to business owners and management. 

The role requires a strong understanding of risk management, internal controls, assurance methodology and evidence-based reporting. APS6 officers will work with business owners to address control deficiencies, monitor agreed actions and strengthen organisational capability through practical advice, guidance and knowledge transfer. 

Executive Division (EXD) 

The Enterprise Risk Section supports implementation of DFAT’s Enterprise Risk Management Policy, strengthens risk management capability across the department, and helps embed risk considerations into departmental activities and decision-making. We are seeking motivated and capable risk practitioners who can contribute to enterprise risk activities, work collaboratively with stakeholders, and support the delivery of high-quality risk analysis and reporting. 

We are looking for officers with experience in risk management or a related field and an interest in developing their expertise in enterprise risk. Experience working with data to support analysis, reporting and risk-informed decision-making is desirable. The role requires strong analytical and communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to undertake research, prepare risk reporting and briefing materials, support risk assessments, and contribute to the development of risk management guidance and tools. 

Regulatory and Legal Policy Division (RLD) 

The Australian Sanctions Office administers Australia’s sanctions framework, implementing listings, providing guidance, issuing permits, promoting compliance, and supporting sanctions policy. Sanctions Officers support the Australian Government’s decisions on sanctions through evidence-based, legally grounded recommendations considering applicable law, policy, evidence, consultation, risk, national interest, and UNSC requirements. 

 The Foreign Arrangements Branch administers the Foreign Arrangements Scheme, ensuring international engagement by Australian governments and universities aligns with foreign policy. It advises on foreign policy, research security and interference risks, works with government and intelligence partners, conducts nationwide outreach, supports regulated entities’ compliance, and leads DFAT’s countering foreign interference policy. 

The Public Interest Law Branch seeks high-performing officers for complex FOI, visa screening, and declassification work. Roles involve advising senior leaders, managing legal compliance and foreign policy risks, and working independently. Applicants may have experience in policy, legal advice, project or corporate management, FOI or information disclosure. Legal qualifications are not essential. 

For further information, please see the Applicant Information Pack at DFAT Careers website. 

Across APO, EXD, and RLD the roles share a strong focus on applying legislation and policy, managing sensitive and complex matters, providing sound advice, assessing risk, and working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders. 

Key duties across all divisions include: 

• Legislation, policy and procedural application: interpret and apply relevant legal, policy and operational frameworks to support defensible decisions and effective program delivery. 
• Assessment, analysis and judgement: assess information, evidence and risk to support sound decisions in complex or sensitive matters. 
• Stakeholder engagement: build and maintain productive relationships across government, internal business areas and external partners. 
• Advice, reporting and communication: provide clear written and verbal advice, including briefings, assessments, reporting, recommendations and guidance materials. 
• Risk, sensitivity and integrity: manage sensitive or high-profile matters with discretion, sound judgement and adherence to ethical and integrity frameworks. 
• Capability building and continuous improvement: contribute to training, guidance, procedural improvement and broader capability uplift within teams and business areas. 

Further details of role-specific key duties are available at DFAT Careers website (Applicant Information Pack).

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing. 

Depending on the role into which you are placed, you may also be required to obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People/Children registration (or equivalent).