Job Opportunities in Australia

Our Department Values

Our values set the direction for what it means to work in our department. They inform the standard and expectations of behaviours, skills and capabilities and the attributes we currently have, will continually work to achieve and develop, and that we use to acknowledge and attract, retain and recruit into our department.

The department supports workplace diversity and values the contribution of people from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, and LGBTQIA+ people. The department is committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women’s progression into senior leadership.

The opportunity we have available


The Regions, Cities and Territories Group, comprised of the three Divisions below, provides policy leadership and delivers programs to support regional development and local governments, improve living standards and facilitate economic growth in cities and regions including northern Australia, and providing governance frameworks and services to support communities in the territories. The Group is looking to fill a range of vacancies across the three Divisions.


The Partnerships and Projects Division (PPD) plays an important role in achieving economic and community development and unlocking potential across Australia’s regions and supports the delivery of key national priorities. Our teams deliver government priorities right across Australia and develop genuine partnerships between the three levels of government, business and community to support the delivery of key national priorities. PPD has 4 branches: Cities and Suburbs Unit, City and Regional Partnerships Branch, Office of Northern Australia and Northern Australia Investments and Projects Branch.


The Territories Division administers the unique territories of Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Jervis Bay and Norfolk Island; and manages national interests in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The division delivers good governance and state-type services in the territories by providing governance frameworks and working with service delivery partners to provide services to support these communities. The Division has 3 branches: Indian Ocean Territories, Mainland Territories and Norfolk Island.


The Regional Development and Local Government Division (RDLG) delivers grants, coordinates proposals and provides policy advice to the Australian Government relating to regional strategic issues and microeconomic reform. The Division works to strengthen the sustainability, capacity and diversity of regional economies through place-based policy and program development; negotiation of local partnerships between all levels of government and local communities; and the provision of grants and other financial assistance to regional economies via local councils, non-profits and other non-government entities - supporting small community organisations to invest in transformative infrastructure projects. The Division has 4 branches: Regional Policy; Local Government, Regional Intelligence and Data; Major Projects and Governance; and Regional Programs.


Divisional Support Units (DSU) are key to ensuring the Group complies with reporting and administrative requirements of the Department. Each division has a DSU team that provides expertise and support to staff through a wide range of work such as Government budget processes, financial management and reporting, procurements and grants, program and contract management, HR, workforce planning, coordination, governance and business planning, communications and relationship management.


What will you do?


As an Assistant Director, working with a high level of autonomy, you will be responsible for delivering and supporting others to deliver, including some of all of:

• Identifying, implementing, and evaluating continuous improvement initiatives to streamline process and procedures across the business management activities of the Group.
• Providing input to the development and implementation of policies and programs to implement the government’s nation-building development agenda.
• Assist with coordinating and preparing briefings for senior executives and Ministers.
• Providing effective governance and risk management arrangements across a range of programs and activities, including developing and maintaining risk management plans and governance frameworks.
• Working with a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external to the department, as well as across the Group including First Nations Australians, to develop and implement programs.
• Providing secretariat support to Ministerial and other forums.
• Providing advice on possible investment proposals.
• Supporting grant program development and administration.
• Providing input to a range of proposals from across government to represent the interests of northern and regional Australia.
• Providing advice and assistance on a range of corporate issues including matters related to administered funding, capital, internal and external budgets and projects, HR, coordination and workforce strategy.
• Researching, analysing and preparing project proposals and board papers.
• Setting up meetings, drafting meeting briefs and notes.
• Procurement and contract management.
• Maintaining databases and analysing data.

Who are we looking for?


To be successful in this role, you will need to:

• Possess experience in one or more of the following areas: Strategic communications, policy development, program/project development and implementation, secretariat support, corporate activities, finance activities, urban planning, legal or a similar role.
• Demonstrate effective organisational skills, including the ability to multitask under time pressures to meet deadlines and a proven record of taking responsibility to deliver results.
• Showcase strong written and oral communication skills, including excellent attention to detail and the ability to deliver clear, concise, and easily understood information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal and liaison skills, experience in stakeholder relationships that achieve successful outcomes may be an advantage.
• Display an enthusiastic and flexible approach including the ability to adapt to change, resilience under pressure and the ability to navigate uncertainty.
• Collaborate effectively within a supportive team environment and undertake your work with high degree of professionalism, integrity and respect.

We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Recruit Ability minimum requirements


Minimum requirements for this role include:

• Proven leadership skills and the ability to effectively coordinate work ensuring high quality and timely outcome
• Ability to provide a strategic level of specialist, professional and/or technical subject matter expertise.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills, including strong attention to detail.
• Ability to provide timely and concise advice to inform and support executive decision making.
• Ability to establish and maintain key strategic relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.

Recruit Ability is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.

Job applicants with disability who met the requirements are advanced to the next stage of the selection process:

• Opt into the scheme
• Declare they have a disability, and
• Meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised in the scheme

More information can be found at Recruit Ability scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission (apsc.gov.au).

What else can we offer?

We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering individuals to set goals, acquire new skills, and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the benefits we offer include:

• Access to our study Assistance Program that provides paid leave and financial support for you to undertake courses of study that contribute to the improvements of your professional skills and knowledge relevant to our work and broader Australian Public Service.
• Through our investment in learning and development opportunities, and a positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
• Improve your leadership skills, through the department’s Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
• Flexible working opportunities, including part time hours, home based work and job sharing.
• We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month’s accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.

Join our department and embark on a journey of growth, fulfillment, and well-being. Experience personal and professional development, prioritise your health, and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.

Eligibility requirements


Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: To be eligible for employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts applicants must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
• Health Assessment: the preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: the successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.

How to apply


Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEDT, Tuesday 22 October 2024.


In applying for this position, you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather, you should provide a statement of no more than two pages outlining your background, capabilities and experiences, and how these align with the advertised role. You should also provide a tailored CV, no more than three pages. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the ‘Who are we looking for’ section.


Your application should be received through the department’s online recruitment system. Applications via Indeed will not be accepted.


If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team on 02 6136 8989 or via email at recruitment@infrastructure.gov.au to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.


Please advise the contact officer if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The department is committed to the accessibility of our systems. If you identify as someone with disability and you require accessibility assistance or more information, please email Diversityand Inclusion@infrastructure.gov.au


Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.


If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.


Applications open: Wednesday 9 October 2024
Applications close: Tuesday 22 October 2024
Application shortlisting: Tuesday 29 October 2024
Further assessments: Tuesday 5 November 2024
Selection report finalised: Monday 18 November 2024
Offers and announcements: Tuesday 19 November 2024


The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.


Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job and the Work level standards. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews, and reference checks.

Work with us. Apply now!