About Collection Services GroupThe Collections Services Group is responsible for the development, management, preservation and provision of access to the AIATSIS Collection at both Maraga (Canberra) and Mparntwe (Central Australia) sites.
The Group manages, describes, preserves, digitises and provides access to the AIATSIS Collection.
About Collection Access & Family HistoryThe Collection Access and Family History Unit sits within the Collections Services Group.
The Unit manage services and policies for culturally appropriate access to the AIATSIS collection and Indigenous family history research.
About the RoleThis position plays a key role in the Family History team.
You will support the Senior Family History Officer to provide culturally safe and ethical family history research services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly those affected by past government removal policies.
This is a customer-focused role primarily responsible for conducting family history research requests and providing access to information to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people undertaking their own research.
This role requires well-developed communication and interpersonal skills including a demonstrated ability to communicate respectfully and sensitively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including our key stakeholders, the National Link-Up organisations.
You will have a solid commitment to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and sound understanding of cultural sensitivities as they specifically relate to family history research and use of the AIATSIS collection.The work is grounded in respect for privacy, confidentiality, and cultural protocols, ensuring meaningful and ethical engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Key responsibilities of the role include:
conduct basic family history research using the IATSIS Collection and external collections, including archives, mission and church records, oral histories, and public data sources to complete research reports.
support clients through guided self-help,



providing clear advice and practical tools to empower their research journey.
contribute to the development and delivery of presentations, training, and outreach sessions, both at AIATSIS and in community settings.
maintain databases, assist with monitoring and reporting to family history unit business plans.
other administrative tasks as required.
Our Ideal CandidateTo be successful in the role, you will bring a balance of empathy, cultural understanding, and practical research skills.
You will enjoy working closely with community members and families and take pride in helping people reconnect with their history through respectful, accurate, and timely research support.You will come with the following skills, experience and attributes:
demonstrated ability to locate, interpret and summarise information from archival and public sources with a high attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when recording or sharing family information.
demonstrated ability to undertake research and clarify copyright and Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property rights of collection materials to support research reports.
demonstrated ability to explain research findings in plain language that supports clients to understand and make decisions about their own records, paired with strong listening and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and support clients in a calm, respectful and supportive manner.
demonstrated ability to manage multiple client requests concurrently and work to deadlines efficiently and effectively.
demonstrated ability to share information and assist colleagues to achieve team goals.
While maintaining a flexible and cooperative approach, contributing to a positive and inclusive workplace culture.




ability to work independently and as part of a team to achieve desired outcomes and goals.
demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities and use of initiative to solve day-to-day problems within established guidelines.
As well as a proactive mindset that contributes ideas for improving client service, systems or research processes.
proficient in using
Microsoft office suite.
Adobe Acrobat Pro.
SharePoint.
experience in the following will be highly regarded
archives, libraries, or research environments.
collection management systems such as Axiell, Drupal or similar platforms.
working with or high understanding of our key stakeholders, the National Link Up Network.
working with Indigenous family history, genealogical research, or community records.
Cultural CapabilityRoles at AIATSIS require candidates to have an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and demonstrate culturally appropriate engagement and communications skills.
The nature of this role requires the candidate to consistently demonstrate the following specific cultural capabilities:
understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business within the agency and the outcomes the agency is responsible for delivering.
understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and the dynamics of engaging with them respectfully.
understand the heritage, cultural and intellectual property rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities as they apply to research.
understands the sources of knowledge resting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, stakeholders, and networks.
understands the impact of attitudes, beliefs, and past experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the engagement and consultation process.
an authentic and respectful interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, policy, and implementation matters.
AIATSIS embodies Yindyamarra in everything we do.
ContactIf you have any questions about the role, you can contact Stephanie Williams on ************ or ******

📌 Family History Research Officer (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ...
📍 Canberra