The Productivity Commission (PC) is looking for experienced HR professionals to join our team at an exciting time, as we transition to a contemporary HR Business Partnering (HRBP) model.

We are seeking expressions of interest for an immediate vacancy for an EL 1 Assistant Director / Senior HR Business Partner to join our HR team in either our Canberra or Melbourne office.

This opportunity is open to Commonwealth employees.

- We are looking for an EL1 Assistant Director / Senior HR Business Partner to join us through a permanent transfer at level, or a temporary transfer at higher duties for 12 months.
- We may also use this process to fill future EL1 or APS6 roles in the team, should future opportunities arise.

About the team and the opportunity We are a small, agile team of HR professionals that deliver high quality results across all operational and strategic HR functions for the PC.

- Our core areas of work include recruitment and onboarding, learning and development, performance management, employee relations and work health and safety (WHS).
- Although we have an outsourced payroll provider, we also provide pay and conditions advice to managers and staff, and undertake comprehensive workforce reporting.

Joining a small agency gives you the opportunity to work closely with senior leaders, gain broad exposure across strategic and operational HR, and see the direct impact of your work. You will contribute to the implementation of the HRBP model at the PC while broadening your strategic HR experience. Immediate vacancy – EL1 Assistant Director / Senior HR Business Partner

As part of the HR leadership team, you will bring broad HR expertise, experience supporting organisational change and the capability to help embed a contemporary HRBP model.

Key skills and capabilities we are looking for include:

- Strategic leadership,



including setting clear priorities, aligning work to organisational objectives and helping the team understand what success looks like.
- Coaching and capability building, including developing HR colleagues and supporting managers to strengthen their people management capability.
- Stakeholder engagement and influence, with the ability to build trusted relationships and provide practical advice to SES and Executive Level managers.
- Change leadership, including guiding teams through transition, communicating clearly and maintaining a solutions-focused approach.
- Inclusive leadership, including creating a culturally safe environment, encouraging contribution and valuing diverse perspectives.
- Sound judgement, including balancing policy, risk, people impacts and organisational priorities when advising on complex HR matters.
- Continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to identify better ways of working, simplify processes and support a proactive HR service.

Expected vacancy – APS 6 HR Business Partner  As part of this process, we are also seeking expressions of interest for a potential future opportunity at the APS 6 level.

- As a trusted HR Business Partner, you will provide strategic and operational HR advice to dedicated business areas, supporting workforce capability, organisational performance and effective people management.
- Drawing on your APS HR experience, you will bring a people-centred mindset and a practical approach to delivering priorities.

More information: To learn more about the current vacancy and potential future opportunity, and how to apply, please visit the APS Jobs Mobility board: https://www.apsjobs.gov.au/s/temporary-chance?title=assistant-director-senior-hr-business-partner-immediate-vacancy-and-hr-business-partner-expected-vacancy-&Id;=a05OY00000QAXmvYAH

Applications close Sunday 16 August 2026.

📌 Assistant Director, HR (Senior HR Business Partner) (Melbourne)
🏢 Productivity Commission
📍 Melbourne