About the Department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

- Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
- Investing in science and technology
- Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the team

About the Commission The Australian Trade Remedies Commission is a best practice regulator and a leading international trade remedies authority. We exist to support the Australian economy by securing a level playing field for local industry by investigating and remedying unfair international trade practices including dumping, subsidies and import volume surges.

The Commission delivers against the Minister’s Statement of Expectations to ensure a more timely, effective and accessible trade remedies system, and to contribute to a Future Made in Australia.

The Commission is undergoing significant reform, including operating model improvements, legislative reform, capability uplift, and the establishment of a safeguards function.

At the Commission, you can do meaningful work that has a real impact on Australian industry and the economy, while building specialist expertise in a supportive, flexible and values-driven environment with a united culture that values trust, safety and continuous improvement. We invest in our people, encourage continuous learning, and empower staff to shape the future of a modern, best-practice regulator.

Safeguards branch The safeguards function will undertake inquiries into import surges and their impact on Australian industry, using economic analysis, legal expertise and stakeholder engagement to support government decision-making. A safeguards mechanism is a trade remedy that allows a government to temporarily provide support to a domestic industry from a sudden surge in imports that is causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury to that industry.

The Safeguards Branch will be a multidisciplinary, nationally significant capability responsible for delivering Australia's trade remedies safeguards framework.



The branch will play a key role in strengthening Australia's trade remedies architecture and advancing the Commission's vision to be a best-practice regulator and leading international trade remedies authority. The branch may also support other investigations and Commission priorities as required, including the assessment and prioritisation of potential applications.

The opportunity

The SES Band 1 Deputy Commissioner Safeguards and Assessment is a senior executive leadership role responsible for establishing and leading the Commission's safeguards function, overseeing its case assessment and triage capability, and contributing to the strategic leadership of the Commission.

The role provides authoritative leadership on safeguards matters and the Commission’s approach to upfront assessment, including complex economic, industry and market analysis relating to import surges, serious injury and the impacts of safeguard measures.

The Deputy

Commissioner shapes organisational strategy, builds capability, influences stakeholders and delivers outcomes that support Australia's trade remedies framework, industrial resilience and broader economic interests, including the statutory safeguards framework.

The role is responsible for leading the Safeguards Branch, driving organisational performance, fostering a culture of integrity and excellence, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based safeguards inquiries, assessments and advice to government.

Our ideal candidate

Our ideal candidate will be a strategic and collaborative leader with a strong understanding of economic and industry analysis, experience leading assessment, able to translate complex evidence into practical insights that support government decision-making. They will build capability, influence outcomes and deliver results aligned to government priorities.

The successful candidate will possess the following:

Experience

- Demonstrated experience leading complex economic, industry, assessment, and regulatory or public policy functions.
- Experience providing strategic advice on complex economic, industry or trade-related issues to senior executives, Ministers or government decision-makers.
- Experience overseeing risk-based assessment and triage in a regulatory or investigatory workplace.
- Proven experience leading organisational change, reform, capability building or establishment of new functions.




- Experience managing complex stakeholder environments and influencing outcomes across organisational boundaries.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering results through others.

Skills and knowledge

- Strategic leadership and organisational stewardship.
- Strong economic, industry and analytical capability, including the ability to interpret complex market, trade and industry trends.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.
- Strong judgement, decision-making and problem-solving capability.
- Ability to lead change, foster innovation and drive continuous improvement.
- Strong understanding of regulatory assessment, triage, governance, risk management and public sector accountability.
- Knowledge of trade remedies, international trade, economics, industry analysis, economic regulation, public policy, investigations or related disciplines, or the demonstrated ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to provide authoritative advice on complex economic, industry and policy issues.

- Provide strategic leadership for the establishment and operation of the safeguards function.
- Lead safeguards inquiries, market monitoring and economic and industry assessment activities, ensuring robust analysis of import trends, industry impacts, injury and causation.
- Provide authoritative advice on complex economic, industry and trade matters to the Commissioner, Executive Leadership Team, ministers and government stakeholders.
- Ensure the effective delivery of branch priorities and organisational outcomes.
- Lead a consistent, risk-based approach to case assessment and triage, supporting effective upfront review.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with industry, government agencies, international counterparts and other stakeholders.
- Build capability across economic analysis, inquiry management, case assessment, stakeholder engagement and trade remedies practice.
- Maintain sound governance, manage risk and support evidence-based decisions across the branch.
- Represent the Commission in high-level domestic and international forums on safeguards, trade remedies and related economic policy matters.

To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.

Positions require a Baseline security clearance and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.

The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is Canberra or Melbourne based, although flexible or remote work arrangements may be considered. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

📌 Deputy Commissioner Safeguards and Assessment (Canberra)
🏢 Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR)
📍 Canberra