The Fair Work Ombudsman is looking for an experienced criminal investigator and leader to join the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s (OFWO) Criminal Investigations Branch as an Assistant Director – Criminal Investigations.

This is an opportunity to apply established criminal investigation expertise in an emerging Commonwealth criminal jurisdiction and help build the investigative practices and capability of a developing specialist branch.

As an Assistant Director – Criminal Investigations, you will lead a small team and provide operational and technical leadership on complex criminal investigations and the preparation of briefs of evidence for potential referral to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. You will also play an important role in developing the capability of investigators and strengthening criminal investigation practice across the Branch.

Offers will be based on candidate performance and operational requirements. A merit pool may be formed as a result of this exercise and 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, regulated workers, regulated businesses, persons in a road transport contractual chain, outworkers, outworker entities and organisations
- 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
- A competitive salary, plus 15.4% superannuation
- 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.

Eligibility

- 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 Criminal Investigations Branch

The Criminal Investigations Branch is responsible for OFWO's criminal investigation work, leading investigations into suspected criminal offending within OFWO's jurisdiction. The Branch works closely across OFWO and with external agencies, including the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) and Australian Federal Police (AFP),



to deliver high-quality investigations and support appropriate enforcement and prosecution outcomes.

The Branch's work includes investigating suspected intentional underpayment offences under the Fair Work Act 2009 and preparing matters for potential referral to the CDPP.

Typical Duties

Reporting to the Director – Criminal Investigations, you will:

- lead complex criminal investigations, including investigation strategy, lines of inquiry, evidence gathering and assessment and the lawful use of investigative powers;
- personally undertake significant or complex investigative work where required, including investigative interviewing, assessing evidence and preparing matters for potential prosecution;
- lead, supervise and develop a small team of investigators, setting clear expectations and providing technical direction, coaching and feedback;
- quality assure significant investigative work and products before they are submitted to the Director or relevant governance forum, including investigation plans, evidentiary assessments, witness statements, investigation reports and briefs of evidence;
- ensure investigations objectively test suspected offending, address evidentiary gaps and weaknesses and meet appropriate evidence management, continuity, disclosure and record-keeping standards;
- manage the progression, priorities and risks of allocated investigations and escalate significant legal, evidentiary, operational or resourcing issues to the Director;
- provide clear and practical advice to the Director on investigative strategy, evidence, risks and recommended matter direction; and
- work effectively with the CDPP, AFP, other law enforcement and regulatory agencies and relevant areas across OFWO, while contributing to the development of the Branch's criminal investigation capability.

Qualifications and experience

To succeed in this role, you will have:

Essential

- substantial recent experience conducting and/or leading complex criminal investigations, with significant personal responsibility for investigation strategy, evidence gathering and assessment and investigative decisions;
- substantial experience preparing, or having significant responsibility for preparing, criminal briefs of evidence for consideration by a prosecuting authority;
- practical experience in criminal investigation methods and powers, such as search warrants, investigative interviewing, witness statements, documentary or digital evidence and evidence management; and
- experience leading investigators and providing technical direction and quality assurance of investigative work.

Equivalent experience gained in Commonwealth, state or territory law enforcement, regulatory or investigative agencies is welcomed. Previous APS or Fair Work Act experience is not required.

Highly desirable

- Certificate IV or Diploma in Government Investigations, an equivalent qualification, or recognised law enforcement/investigation training, or the ability to acquire this;
- Commonwealth criminal investigation experience, including experience preparing matters for referral to the CDPP; and
- familiarity with the Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth and Commonwealth criminal investigative powers.





Selection Criteria

Applicants will be assessed against the following selection criteria.

Selection criterion 1: Complex criminal investigation capability

- Demonstrated substantial experience personally conducting and/or leading complex criminal investigations, including developing investigation strategies and lines of inquiry, gathering and assessing evidence, conducting or overseeing investigative interviews, using criminal investigative powers where appropriate, identifying and addressing evidentiary gaps, and preparing or having substantial responsibility for preparing criminal briefs of evidence for consideration by a prosecuting authority.

Selection criterion 2: Leadership, delivery and capability

- Demonstrated experience leading investigators and complex investigative work, including setting direction and priorities, providing technical guidance and quality assurance, managing investigation progression, priorities and risk identifying quality issues, addressing performance or quality issues, and providing clear feedback and coaching to build the capability of others.

Selection criterion 3: Judgement, strategic awareness and influence

- Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement, think strategically and communicate with influence in complex or sensitive criminal investigations, including analysing evidence and information, identifying significant evidentiary, legal and investigative risks, making or supporting objective and defensible decisions, and communicating complex issues effectively to senior decision makers, prosecutors and other stakeholders.

How to Apply

- Please provide a written response of no more than 800 words addressing the selection criteria.
- Your response must use specific examples from your experience and clearly explain your personal role and level of responsibility, the significant actions and decisions you took, and the outcomes achieved.
- You may use the same example to address more than one criterion and do not need to address each criterion separately. Your response should demonstrate both your hands-on complex criminal investigation experience and your leadership capability.

You should also be mindful of the Integrated Leadership System (ILS) and the capabilities required to be successful at the EL1 level. Additional information about the ILS is available on the Australian Public Service Commission website: ILS - A guide to the ILS | Australian Public Service Commission.

All applications including a resume must be submitted via our online application system through the OFWO website. If you have any questions about this recruitment exercise, please email [email protected].

Applications close 11.00pm (AEDT) Thursday 19 November 2026

RecruitAbility Scheme applies to this vacancy

Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be progressed to further assessment if you declare you have a disability (according to definition below), opt into the scheme, and meet the minimum requirements for the position. The RecruitAbility scheme disability definition is 'a limitation, restriction or impairment, which has lasted, or is likely to last, for at least 6 months and restricts everyday activities'. This also includes episodic conditions. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

More Information

- Working with us and tips on applying, visit fairwork.gov.au/about-us/careers
- OFWO’s purpose and functions, visit fairwork.gov.au/about-us/our-role-and-purpose
- Office locations, visit fairwork.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/offices

📌 Assistant Director – Criminal Investigations (Newcastle)
🏢 Fair Work Ombudsman
📍 Newcastle