The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is looking to fill several Indigenous State Manager roles as part of our 2026 Census Inclusive Strategy.

These roles are only open to people who identify and are recognised as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, under the Affirmative Measure guidelines. This is your opportunity to increase the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the 2026 Census and ensure they have a safe and positive Census completion experience.

These positions are at the APS 6 classification level and are available from September 2025 to November 2026.

About the role

As an Indigenous State Manager you will lead a small team to:

• build strong relationships with Census colleagues, ABS partners and external stakeholders in the state/territory to recruit and provide a positive and safe experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in urban and regional areas in the 2026 Census
• lead the implementation of the 2026 Census Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Urban and Regional Areas Inclusive Strategy in the state/territory in partnership with key Census and ABS stakeholders
• work closely with stakeholders to provide a positive Census experience, including external stakeholder engagement, and supporting Inclusive Strategies and Engagement field workforce to have appropriate cultural skills and knowledge
• work with stakeholders to promote Census job, participation and completion opportunities in the state/territory, including:
• promoting and recruiting temporary office-based operations roles
• promoting and recruiting Inclusive Strategies and Engagement temporary field jobs across the state/territory
• training Inclusive Strategies and Engagement temporary field staff across the state/territory
• building trust and understanding of the Census with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities in urban and regional areas across the state/territory.
• help build the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the workforce by helping candidates to complete the recruitment process.

What we are looking for (selection criteria)

We are looking for people who are keen to widen their skill set, but have most or all the following:

• a strong understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• a strong ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• ability to build strong, culturally safe working relationships with diverse stakeholders
• experience in leading teams and developing people
• strong ability to manage competing priorities and deliver in an operational environment
• strong written and verbal communication that adjusts to audiences
• demonstrated experience in supporting, engaging, consulting and negotiating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities or stakeholders is highly regarded; this includes developing and maintaining stakeholder and supporter networks to understand and address the needs and issues of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

How to apply

To apply, complete an online application form on the ABS e-recruitment system.

You will need to upload your current resume, provide referee details, and provide a statement of claims to the following:

Referring to the qualities, skills and experiences listed in the Applicant Information Kit, please provide detail on how you meet the requirements of the role. Please limit your response to 500 words.

Please read the attached Applicant Information Kit for more information about the business area and the recruitment process.

Applications close at 11:30 p.m. AEST on Wednesday 2 July 2025.