Ahpra considers that being an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is a genuine occupational requirement for this position. This position is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants in accordance with relevant Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation. 

Ahpra’s commitment to eliminating racism within healthcare in Australia.

Ahpra, in collaboration with 15 National Boards, administers the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme) to ensure that all registered health practitioners in Australia – such as doctors, nurses, and dentists - are well-trained, qualified, and safe to practice. 

Central to our efforts is the development of a culturally safe and respectful health workforce, one that acknowledges the rich healing traditions of Indigenous Australians, spanning more than 65,000 years, and addresses current disparities in healthcare access and safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Over the past six years, we have been dedicated to making culturally safe practice a standard in healthcare and are committed to ensuring patient safety for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the future.

About the Role

We are currently recruiting a Senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Officer. This is a full-time position based in our Brisbane or Melbourne team.

You will be responsible for building strong, meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders in the National Scheme – that means within Ahpra, across the Boards and Committees that we work with, and within our communities more broadly.

Reporting to the Manager, Statutory Appointments, you will implement initiatives of the National Scheme’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy 2020-2025 (the Strategy) and develop a Statutory Appointments Attraction and Selection Strategy, designed to engage with and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to apply for positions with our Boards and Committees. You will also lead the development and implementation of a mentoring/support program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander board and committee members in the National Scheme. 

You will regularly collaborate with and be supported by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Unit, who are responsible for leading the implementation of the Strategy.

Working with a range of key internal and external stakeholders, success in this role will come from your: 

• Ability to elevate Ahpra’s profile within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to attract interest in appointment to Boards and Committees within the National Scheme.
• Ability to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples through one-to-one yarns, organising and hosting webinars, facilitating information sessions and presentations development of mentor programs to support prospective applicants throughout their application and their successful appointment to a Board or Committee.
• Strong connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, communities, culture and working, knowing and living as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.  

As the ideal candidate you will demonstrate the following: 

• Demonstrated experience in successfully leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement projects and providing advice at an advanced level. 
• Experience working in health and/or a regulatory or compliance-focused environment.
• Well-developed strategic thinking and ability to identify opportunities, plan, execute and review in a way that delivers strategic outcomes and increases impact. 
• Highly developed interpersonal, influencing and relationship building skills, including an ability to communicate authentically with stakeholders, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated, show initiative and remain adaptable. 
• Tertiary degree qualification in a relevant discipline, or equivalent level of experience in healthcare administration or a regulatory/compliance-focused environment. 

Job description: Senior Indigenous Engagement Officer.

What’s on offer 

• This is an ongoing role at Ahpra level 6 
• Flexible 3 days working from home, 2 days in the office 
• Access to an Indigenous Employee Assistance Program 
• Support and access to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff network 
• Access to a formal mentoring program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff 
• Cultural leave entitlements, as part of the Ahpra Enterprise Agreement 
• Attractive salary of $110,945 per annum plus superannuation 

How to apply 

Click ‘Apply Now’ after viewing the role description to submit your application. 

Your application must include a CV and a cover letter (maximum of two pages) outlining your skills and experience relevant to the requirements for this role. 

For any queries or a confidential discussion regarding this position, please contact Olli Wynyard Gonfond (Dhurug / Koorie) - National Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programs, or Payal Singh - Manager Statutory Appointments.

Please note applications will be screened and shortlisted during the advertising period.  Should we receive suitable candidates during this time, the advertising period will cease.  

Offer of employment is subject to successful background (pre-employment screening) and Criminal History checks.  

Ahpra requires all employees to comply with Ahpra policies, including the Flexible working policy.