Assistant Inspector General and General Counsel

Office of the Inspector-General – Canberra ACT

The Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) is central to the independent oversight of the Australian intelligence and security agencies. The Inspector-General is an independent statutory office holder with oversight of the activities of Australia’s intelligence and security agencies to ensure they act legally and with propriety, comply with ministerial guidelines and directives, and respect human rights. The work of the Inspector-General and his staff provides assurance to ministers, the parliament and the public that these agencies are using their powers as intended.

The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 provides that the IGIS has jurisdiction over the following agencies that make up the national intelligence community:

- Office of National Intelligence (ONI)
- Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)
- Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)
- Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC)
- Australian Federal Police (intelligence functions only)
- AUSTRAC (intelligence functions only)
- Department of Home Affairs (intelligence functions only).

This is a pivotal time for our agency, as our jurisdiction has recently grown and we are looking to expand our capacity to meet this new environment. There are significant opportunities to demonstrate and develop professional skills and leadership within the legal function of the agency.

We are a small portfolio agency, proud of our contribution to the national interest. We recognise that our people are our greatest asset – we recruit and retain highly capable,



motivated professionals with high levels of integrity and personal drive; and we invest in, and value, their development. Further, we offer a rewarding, positive, and inclusive environment, empowering staff to work flexibly in their contribution to the achievement of agency goals.

Who are we?

The Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) is central to the independent oversight of the Australian intelligence and security agencies. The Inspector-General is an independent statutory office holder with oversight of the activities of Australia’s intelligence and security agencies to ensure they act legally and with propriety, comply with ministerial guidelines and directives, and respect human rights. The work of the Inspector-General and his staff provides assurance to ministers, the parliament and the public that these agencies are using their powers as intended.

The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 provides that the IGIS has jurisdiction over the following agencies that make up the national intelligence community:

- Office of National Intelligence (ONI)
- Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)
- Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS)
- Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)
- Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO)
- Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO)
- Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC)




- Australian Federal Police (intelligence functions only)
- AUSTRAC (intelligence functions only)
- Department of Home Affairs (intelligence functions only).

This is a pivotal time for our agency, as our jurisdiction has recently grown and we are looking to expand our capacity to meet this new setting. There are significant opportunities to demonstrate and develop professional skills and leadership within the legal function of the agency.

We are a small portfolio agency, proud of our contribution to the national interest. We recognise that our people are our greatest asset – we recruit and retain highly capable, motivated professionals with high levels of integrity and personal drive; and we invest in, and value, their development. Further, we offer a rewarding, positive, and inclusive environment, empowering staff to work flexibly in their contribution to the achievement of agency goals.

The key duties of the position include:

The Opportunity

The Assistant Inspector-General and General Counsel leads the Legal and Governance Branch and is the principal source of legal advice to the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. The role holds accountability for the governance framework through which OIGIS meets its own obligations as a Commonwealth entity, and exercises the Chief Risk Officer function.

The role requires extensive expertise in public law, administrative law and statutory interpretation, together with significant experience in public inquiries and legislative processes. Recognised as the authoritative source of legal advice within OIGIS, the occupant exercises critical judgement in an

📌 Assistant Inspector General and General Counsel (Canberra)
🏢 Office of the Inspector-General
📍 Canberra