National Commissioner For Aboriginal And Torres

Full Time Statutory Appointment

• This role can be based anywhere in Australia (frequent travel to Canberra will be required)
• About the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People

The National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (National Commission) was established as an Executive Agency on 26 September 2024, to be operational from 13 January 2025.

The National Commission will sit within the Social Services portfolio, with the Minister for Social Services as the responsible Minister. The National Commission will be dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights, interests and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people across a range of issues, including the over-representation of Indigenous children in out-of-home care.

The Australian Government is seeking an Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander person to undertake the historic, important and challenging role of National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (National Commissioner).

On 13 February 2024, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a legislated, independent and empowered National Commissioner. On 26 September 2024, this was formalised through an Order establishing the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People (National Commission) as a new Executive Agency, to commence operations from 13 January 2025. The National Commissioner will be the head and Accountable Authority of the new Executive Agency.

In this role, the National Commissioner will undertake targeted consultations with First Nations communities, children and young people, and government and non-government stakeholders, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guardians and advocates and relevant Commonwealth, state and territory commissioners. Targeted consultations will support the National Commissioner to provide strategic policy advice and reports to government, and to inform the implementation of key policy frameworks that seek to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

The National Commissioner will also have a key role to assist in the development of new legislation to expand the role and powers of the National Commission, forecast to come into effect in 2026. This includes working with community, key stakeholders and the Australian Government to inform the ongoing role of the National Commission.

A full list of functions to be undertaken by the National Commission, led by the National Commissioner, can be found in the Executive Order :

Federal Register of Legislation - Order to Establish the National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People as an Executive Agency

Applications close at 11 : 59pm (AEDT) on Sunday 03 November 2024 and must be submitted via the Department of Social Services eRecruit system.

To be eligible for employment with Department of Social Services (the department), you must be an Australian citizen. An applicant's suitability for employment with the Department will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This will include an identity and criminal history background check.

The suitable applicant must also obtain and maintain a security clearance conducted by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA).

Applicants also must be able to establish their background as checkable to be considered eligible for a security clearance. Any gaps or periods of time spent overseas for 12 or more months (cumulative) that cannot be verified by an Australian referee is deemed uncheckable, rendering the applicant ineligible for a security clearance. Background history must cover 5 / 10 years (Baseline / Negative Vet 1 or Negative Vet 2) of employment, education, residential, criminal history and anything else specified by the AGSVA. The suitable applicant must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information to fulfil this process.