The key duties of the position include:The Role
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Directorate is seeking experienced leaders to join our high-performing team.
This recruitment round may be used to fill current and future vacancies across our three teams.
Successful candidates will be matched to roles based on their skills, experience, and organisational need.
As an FOI Director, you will work closely with senior leadership, and your team to foster strong networks, provide strategic direction, strong judgement and oversight for case management; internal and external reviews; and/or FOI governance.
The roles are important leadership positions, with delegated authority to autonomously identify and resolve issues and risks with stakeholders across wide-ranging activities of substantial depth.
You will provide supportive leadership, resource and performance management, and complex decision making.
As a member of the FOI Leadership Team, you play a critical role in delivering statutory compliance outcomes and driving continuous improvement.
Through strategic oversight and leadership, you ensure FOI processes are robust, compliant, and responsive.
You demonstrate excellent communication and advisory capabilities, translating legislative requirements and policy into efficient, well-coordinated, and high-quality operational outcomes.
About our Team
Defence's FOI Directorate sits within the Media and Information Disclosure Branch, as part of the Ministerial & Executive Coordination & Communication.
The FOI Directorate consists of three teams, each headed by an Executive Level 2 (EL 2).




FOI Governance – leads FOI continuous improvement, training coordination, application requests, courtesy consultations, reporting, and classified records review.
FOI Case Management – coordinates and manages primary FOI cases by working with, and providing expert advice to decision makers.
FOI Reviews – processes merits review requests including internal reviews, complaints, Information Commissioner reviews and ART matters.
The role provides regular opportunities to work closely with Defence's senior leadership, including direct engagement with the Senior Leadership Group, supporting informed decision-making and strategic outcomes.
Our Ideal Candidate
We are seeking leaders with:
Strong analytical and legal research skills, with the proven ability to interpret and apply legislation, including the FOI Act in complex scenarios.
Extensive experience in FOI processing or advisory functions.
Proven ability to build and maintain productive stakeholder relationships.
Sound judgement and FOI technical knowledge
The ability to support team members to manage complex FOI caseloads; offering practical solutions and accurate technical advice to maintain timeliness, manage resourcing pressures and resolve conflict constructively.




Inclusive leadership, with experience mentoring and developing high-performing teams, including leading and supporting a geographically dispersed and remote workforce.
Excellent written and verbal communication.
The ability to deliver quality outcomes under pressure and within statutory timeframes.
The ability to work independently, prioritising and managing team workload to deliver defensible outcomes.
Applicants for Review roles should also demonstrate experience in writing persuasive submissions for external sources.
EligibilitySecurity Clearance
Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at "Negative Vetting Level 1".
Getting to know the Department of DefenceThe Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees.
Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job.
Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work.
Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few.
We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work workplace and a diverse workforce.
To find out more about a career with Defence please visit

📌 Director - Freedom Of Information (Canberra)
🏢 Department Of Defence
📍 Canberra