Make a Difference with Us

Are you passionate about cultural inclusion and strengthening First Nations voices and relationships? Do you want to work for an agency that values diversity and truly makes a difference? If you are, keep reading…

We’re seeking a dedicated and culturally knowledgeable First Nations Liaison Officer to join our Diversity and Inclusion team. This is your opportunity to shape inclusive policies, foster engagement and contribute to meaningful initiatives across the agency.

Full-time and part-time arrangements are available, with the flexibility to work from any of our office locations.

About the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman

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 legislations. Our purpose is to:

• provide education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers, employees, outworkers, 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.

Why Work with 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.

Here’s what we offer:

• A supportive, inclusive, and diverse workplace
• Great training and development opportunities
• Generous leave and flexible working arrangements
• Access to a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), counselling service for you and your family
• A competitive salary, plus 15.4% superannuation
• Formal rewards and recognition initiatives.

We are committed to providing flexibility in working arrangements to recognise the importance of balancing work commitments with family, caring, other personal commitments and cultural obligations of employees outside of work. We also embrace hybrid work arrangements.

We Value Diversity

We are proud to be a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace, and members of the Australian Network on Disability, Diversity Council Australia, Pride in Diversity, and a partner agency with Reconciliation Australia.

We actively encourage applications from First Nations peoples, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, LGBTQIA+ communities, and mature age candidates.

Eligibility

• To be eligible for employment with the APS 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: The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under Section 8(1) of the ‘Racial Discrimination Act 1975’. This vacancy is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

If selected for this role, the successful candidate must provide appropriate confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Heritage.

If you need advice on how to obtain your Confirmation of Heritage, please email [email protected]

About the Team

The Diversity and Inclusion team within the People and Internal Communications Branch is responsible for promoting an inclusive workplace culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates diverse voices and lived experiences of our employees. The team drives inclusive practices, supports employee networks, deliver strategies and action plans, and builds allyship across all diversity groups.

About the Role

The First Nations Liaison Officer is a key advisor in the strengthening of relationships between the agency and First Nations communities. The role provides strategic advice and cultural guidance to support respectful engagement, policy development, program delivery, and service delivery.

Key responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Building strong and respectful relationships with First Nations individuals, organisations and communities.
• Providing strategic and culturally informed advice and guidance to internal teams and leadership to enhance cultural capability and inform decision-making across programs, policies and services.
• Supporting the review and development of inclusive policies and practices.
• Leading and supporting consultations, workshops and meetings with diverse audiences.
• Researching and analysing information to support culturally safe recommendations.
• Coordinating and promoting First Nations entry level recruitment and development programs.
• Representing the agency at external forums, working groups and inter-agency meetings.
• Actively contributing to First Nations initiatives, such as FWO’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy and First Nations Cultural Capability Framework.
• Working collaboratively across diversity portfolios to support agency-wide inclusion efforts
• Effectively managing competing priorities and making sound decisions in a dynamic environment.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated ability to research, analyse and interpret information to provide clear, practical advice to support culturally informed decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines while being adaptable and solution focused.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with a wide range of people, from First Nations staff and communities to internal and external partners.
• Experience in advocating for First Nations voices in the workplace and bringing people together to collaborate, communicate and create culturally safe environments.
• Demonstrated ability to use sound judgement when working through sensitive or complex issues, operating with a high level of personal accountability, cultural awareness and discretion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, tailoring messages to suit diverse audiences providing thoughtful, culturally informed advice.
• Experience in preparing reports or briefs that reflect an understanding of First Nations perspectives and contribute to agency-wide cultural capability initiatives.

How to Apply

If you are excited about this opportunity, please tell us in no more than 750 words:

• Why you want to apply for this role?
• How your skills, experience and cultural capability demonstrate your suitability for the position in response to the Selection Criteria.

All applications must be submitted through our online recruitment system on the OFWO website.

If you have any questions, please email: [email protected]

*Please ensure you check your junk mail throughout the recruitment process, as sometimes our emails sent from our online system end up in junk mail folders. *

Applications close 11:00pm (AEST) on Sunday 29 June 2025.

More Information

Working with us and tips on applying, visit fairwork.gov.au/about-usz/careers

First Nations careers First Nations careers - Fair Work Ombudsman

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