Who we are

The Compliance & Enforcement Division delivers regulatory outcomes that protect Australia from risks to our biosecurity and trade systems. Informed by science and intelligence, we set controls and deliver assurance activities to increase compliance with legislation; and respond appropriately and proportionately to any breaches. We work with internal and external stakeholders, domestically and internationally, across the regulatory continuum, responding to known and emerging risks to safeguard Australia’s agriculture, economy, trade and way of life.

The Audit and Assurance Branch (AAB) assesses and improves compliance through the delivery of regulatory audit and assurance activities. Responsibilities include the conduct of a range of audit and other regulatory activities to manage biosecurity, imported food, export, illegal logging and other regulatory risks. We implement a best practice approach to assurance to provide confidence about how effectively and efficiently the department’s regulatory systems are managing risks. The branch supports and contributes to the broader department’s compliance policy in developing and delivering a risk-based approach to regulation.

Audit Operations is responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of regulatory audits and other activities to provide assurance in relation to the management of biosecurity and export risks. The nationally integrated team conducts regulatory audits of import approved arrangements, export registered establishments, accredited properties and industry authorised officers.

The Job

This role oversees the team's performance and contributions, ensuring the efficient, effective, and nationally consistent execution of regulatory audit and assurance activities. The department utilises audits and other assurance tools to regulate entities and ensure that Biosecurity and Trade risks are effectively managed. We are seeking applications from professionals committed to integrity, effective communication, and delivering high-quality results in a fast-paced environment. The goal is to achieve regulatory outcomes that protect Australia’s biosecurity and trade systems from emerging risks.

Core Duties:

• Assist Audit Operations Assistant Directors in leading a team to deliver nationally consistent audit activities which promote strong industry compliance, ensuring adequate and competent resources are available to deliver services in line with the national standards.
• Assist auditors in the management of the delivery of audit allocations on a national level.
• Ensure accurate and timely record keeping is maintained, meeting guidelines and client service standards. Assist auditors to manage their time to achieve the allocated workload and meet performance targets.
• Provide accurate and reliable strategic advice on workload and scheduling issues, including identification of training required across areas of responsibility.
• Maintain a strong understanding of relevant legislation and policy frameworks and an awareness of changes in the broader environment that may impact on work objectives and contribute to business improvements.
• Manage the investigation and resolution of regional workload management and client issues, providing timely and accurate feedback on the outcomes.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage staff performance and training agreements, providing regular feedback identifying potential skill gaps at the regional and national level.
• Conduct professional verification assessments of auditors in line with the Audit Management Framework, including management of auditor competency pathway completion including coach allocation, job card completion and referral for assessment.
• Contribute to reporting against key performance standards; monitor team performance; ensure service delivery standards are met.
• Promote skill development of auditors via training, coaching and mentoring.
• Ensure the professionalism of the audit team.

Our current vacancies are located in Melbourne and Sydney. This recruitment round will also be used to create a Merit Pool for future vacancies across multiple locations including, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane. The Operations Manager of Audit Operations provides leadership and support, promoting a cohesive national team culture.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

Desirable knowledge and experience include:

• Demonstrate understanding of relevant legislation such as the Biosecurity Act 2015, Export Control Act 2020, and Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012.
• Team management in challenging environments.
• Demonstratable knowledge of import/export processes.
• Operational experience in regulatory settings or agricultural industries.