Australian Fair Work Ombudsman – Canberra ACT

Fair Work Ombudsman

Canberra ACT (Hybrid)

Government to Federal (Government and Defence)

Full time

95,980 to 119,453 plus 15.4% superannuation

We are seeking highly motivated and practical investigators to join the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s (OFWO) Criminal Investigations Team within the Criminal Investigations Branch.

We have positions available at the Fair Work Inspector APS Level 5 (APS5) and Senior Fair Work Inspector APS Level 6 (APS6). You may apply for an APS level 5 or 6 level role, or both. To be considered for the APS6 role, you must satisfy the additional selection criteria requirements set out in this position description. Full-time and part-time hours and hybrid work arrangements are available. Offers will be based on candidate performance and operational requirements. A merit pool may also be formed as a result of this exercise and may be used to fill similar vacancies in the next 18 months.

About the OFWO

The Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman (OFWO) is an independent statutory office established by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Fair Work Act). Our functions outline the responsibilities we have as set by the Fair Work Act and other legislation to achieve our purpose: provide education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers, employees, outworkers, outworker entities and organizations promote and monitor compliance with workplace laws inquire into and investigate breaches of the Fair Work Act take appropriate enforcement action perform our statutory functions efficiently, effectively, economically and ethically.

What our employees say about us

We are one of the most engaged and high performing agencies in Australia; consistently scoring above average on employee engagement and wellbeing when surveyed against other APS agencies.

What we offer you

We provide a diverse, inclusive and supportive work environment with access to:

Great training and development opportunities

Generous leave and flexible working arrangements

Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a free counselling service for you and your family

Rewards and recognition initiatives.

We Value Diversity

OFWO has been accredited as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace since 2011. We are also members of the Australian Network on Disability and Pride in Diversity. We encourage and welcome applications from First Nations people, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature age people.

To be eligible for employment with the OFWO you must be an Australian citizen.





The successful candidate must hold a current Australian Government Security Clearance (AGSVA) or be willing to undergo and obtain a Baseline security clearance.

Please note: Under section 700(2) of the Fair Work Act 2009, the Fair Work Ombudsman may only appoint a Fair Work Inspector if the Fair Work Ombudsman is satisfied the person is of valuable character.

About the Team

The Criminal Investigations Branch investigates intentional underpayments contrary to subsection 327A(1) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) and prepares briefs of evidence for referral to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. This is a high-profile area of the OFWO and inspectors are required to possess sound judgement, a disciplined investigation practice and confidence operating in an environment of public, stakeholder and prosecutorial scrutiny. To meet current and future operational needs, we are seeking hard-working and motivated inspectors with criminal investigations or prosecutions experience to join our Criminal Investigations team.

Typical Duties

Reporting to an Assistant Director to Criminal Investigations Team, your responsibilities will include:

Leading investigations from referral to final outcome, including planning, case strategy and lawful use of investigative powers.

Managing concurrent matters by setting priorities, maintaining momentum and escalating material risks or issues.

Gathering, analysing and managing evidence to ensure it is lawfully obtained, reliable, and capable of being used in proceedings, in accordance with the Australian Government Investigations Standards.

Planning and conducting interviews with witnesses, suspects and persons of interest, including cautioned and electronically recorded interviews.

Exercising statutory, coercive or search powers lawfully, proportionately and with appropriate assurance.

Preparing briefs of evidence and related material to a criminal prosecution standard and in accordance with the Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth.

Providing advice to management on investigative strategy, evidential issues and matter direction.

Building effective working relationships with internal teams, law enforcement partners, regulators, prosecutors and other stakeholders.

Giving evidence in court as required.





Maintaining accurate, complete and defensible case management records, including privacy, information-handling and chain-of-custody requirements.

Qualifications and experience

Applicants must have demonstrated experience in criminal investigations or prosecutions.

Relevant qualification(s) in Government Investigations (or a willingness to acquire these qualifications).

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be assessed against the following selection criteria. Applicants seeking APS5 consideration must address Selection Criteria 1–3. Applicants seeking APS6 consideration must also address Selection Criterion 4.

APS5/6 to Selection Criteria

Selection criterion 1: Investigative capability and evidence management

Demonstrated experience conducting criminal investigations, including investigation planning, gathering and managing evidence lawfully, conducting interviews and preparing investigation outcomes or briefs of evidence to a high standard.

Selection criterion 2: Judgement, risk and analytical thinking

Demonstrated ability in a criminal investigations context to analyse complex information, identify evidentiary gaps or risks, and make sound and defensible decisions and progress investigations in accordance with legislation, policy and procedural requirements.

Selection criterion 3: Communication and stakeholder engagement

Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and professionally with witnesses, suspects, colleagues, prosecutors and other stakeholders and to prepare accurate, concise and defensible written material.

APS6 to Additional selection criterion

Selection criterion 4: Leadership, quality assurance and complex investigation Management

Demonstrated ability to lead or coordinate complex investigations, provide guidance and quality assurance to others, manage competing priorities and risks and support consistent, high-quality investigative practices.

Please provide a response of no more than 300 words for each selection criterion.

Applicants seeking APS5 consideration must address Selection Criteria 1–3.

Applicants seeking APS6 consideration must address Selection Criteria 1–4.

Applicants seeking consideration for both APS5 and APS6 levels should address all four criteria.

Please use specific examples from your experience and outline the situation, your actions and the outcome achieved.

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📌 Fair Work Inspector (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Fair Work Ombudsman
📍 Canberra