About Us

The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is Australia’s national human rights institution, dedicated to fostering a society where human rights are upheld, protected, and celebrated. We envision an Australia where every individual is valued equally in dignity and rights.

Our mission involves promoting and safeguarding the human rights of all Australians by:

• Advising all levels of government and various public and private organisations.
• Strengthening laws, policies, and practices while providing accessible investigation and conciliation services.
• Engaging inclusively with civil society, communities, and the private sector.
• Raising awareness about human rights and offering educational resources.
• Collaborating with partners to cultivate a culture of respect for human rights across the nation.

We are looking for passionate individuals who are looking to make a meaningful impact to join our Investigation and Conciliation Service team.

In this entry level role, you will provide high quality and accessible information both over the phone and in writing to members of the public about federal human rights and discrimination law, workplace rights and responsibilities (including workplace sexual and sex based harassment and discrimination) and complaint pathways. You will help empower people and organisations to gain a better understanding of their human rights, how to prevent discrimination, and what they can do when an issue of discrimination or a breach of human rights arises.

This role involves providing information and services to individuals who may share sensitive or traumatic experiences. It is important that applicants understand the emotional nature of this work and are prepared to engage with respect, empathy and use a trauma informed approach..

This full-time / part time, ongoing position / non ongoing position offers a competitive salary range of $75,041 - $83,074per annum plus 15.4% superannuation.

We offer flexible hybrid and remote work options.

What You’ll Do:

• By telephone, in writing and in person, provide information to members of the public about federal human rights and discrimination law, workplace rights and responsibilities (including sexual and sex-based harassment and sex discrimination), the complaint process and pathways people can pursue.
• Provide information about the coverage of the Commission’s complaint jurisdiction and workplace jurisdiction under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) and refer enquirers to other agencies/regulatory schemes for advice or assistance and to legal and other support services, where appropriate.
• Analyse and respond to written enquiries and prepare clearly written emails and letters.
• Provide reasonable assistance to people to enable them to make a complaint where appropriate, including drafting statements.
• Working with your supervisor or more senior staff, prepare complaint notification letters, manage straightforward complaints and assist with basic research tasks, as required.
• Working with your supervisor and experienced staff in the ICS, provide information sessions on the law and the complaint process and participate in community education events, as required.

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience in providing quality information to members of the public in a statutory, legal, community or customer service environment.
• Appropriate tertiary qualifications, formal training or equivalent or relevant community experience.
• Knowledge of human rights issues and federal human rights and anti-discrimination law, including workplace sexual and sex based harassment and discrimination, and complaint/regulatory procedures, or the ability to acquire this knowledge.
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation.
• Sound knowledge of referral pathways to other agencies/regulatory schemes and to other legal support services and the ability to make appropriate referrals.
• Sound analytical skills and the ability to draw on information from appropriate sources and use common sense to analyse what information is important.
• Good communication skills (both written and oral) and the ability to communicate with clients with respect, empathy, discretion and utilise a trauma informed approach.
• The ability to structure messages clearly and succinctly, both orally and in writing, and tailor communication style to the audience.
• Ability to manage a high volume workload.
• Builds and sustains positive relationship.

Why Join Us?

By becoming a part of our team, you'll play a vital role in influencing public conversations about human rights and making a meaningful impact. If you’re ready to use your skills to support a cause that matters, we want to hear from you!

Apply Now! Help us shape the future of human rights communication in Australia. Join us in making a difference!

Notes

We strongly encourage First Nations people and individuals from other negatively racialised backgrounds to apply.

We value inclusivity and diversity and seek people who support and model the behaviours we promote in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians, mature workers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, culturally and marginalised communities, carers, LGBTIQA+ and people with disability.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).

The Commission is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive work environment to enable people with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustment as required to assist your participation in this recruitment process.

Please note that this position may be filled on either an ongoing or non-ongoing basis. If an offer of non-ongoing employment is made, the successful applicant would be employed for an initial period of up to eighteen months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years in total. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the Commission where the duties are of a similar nature.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability. 

How to Apply

Please provide a resume and a statement (maximum of 2 pages) outlining your interest in this position(s), your experience that would lead to impactful outcomes in the role, and the skills and capabilities you bring.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to fulfil the requirements of the role in an impartial and respectful manner as required by the APS Code of Conduct. The successful candidate will uphold the integrity and independence of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

As part of the recruitment and selection process, applicants will be required to consent to and undergo background checks which may include character and social media checks.

For more Information

Information about the role and Commission practices may be sought from Jodie Ball, Deputy, Investigation and Conciliation Section via email [email protected] using the subject line: Complaint Information Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.