The Census Field Recruitment Team is responsible for the attraction, selection and engagement of more than 30,000 field staff across Australia, including metropolitan, regional, and remote areas. To lead this major initiative, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is recruiting three Recruitment Managers (APS 6) and six to eight Recruitment Team Leads (APS 5).

About the roles

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact on one of Australia’s largest data collection efforts? The ABS is seeking passionate individuals to lead and support recruitment operations for the 2026 Census.

As an APS 5 or APS 6 Recruitment Team Leader or Manager, you’ll coordinate and deliver high-quality, inclusive and timely recruitment outcomes across designated areas from job design and advertising to selection and onboarding.

Both roles offer the opportunity to make a real impact through these core responsibilities:

• track and analyse recruitment performance metrics to maintain high standards of efficiency, timeliness, and service quality
• provide guidance and support to team members, enabling informed decision-making and consistent application of recruitment policies
• cultivate a team culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, inclusivity and continuous improvement
• build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including hiring managers, HR advisors and Census operational teams.

Role-Specific Responsibilities:

APS 6 Recruitment Manager

• ensure recruitment strategies support ABS and Census objectives, including readiness for large-scale operational phases
• oversee end-to-end recruitment processes, including job design, advertising, selection, onboarding, and compliance
• implement process improvements to streamline recruitment operations and enhance candidate experience
• proactively identify recruitment risks and shortfalls across your areas of responsibility, including hard-to-fill roles and critical capability gap
• develop and implement mitigation strategies, including targeted campaigns, talent pools, and contingency planning with our stakeholders
• provide coaching, training, and development opportunities to build recruitment capability and confidence
• work closely with other managers to ensure alignment in recruitment approaches, policies, and practices across the broader team.

APS 5 Recruitment Team Leader

• support the implementation of recruitment strategies that align with ABS and Census objectives, including readiness for large-scale operational phases
• coordinate and deliver end-to-end recruitment processes, including job design, advertising, selection, onboarding, and compliance activities
• support process improvements and escalate issues as appropriate
• assist in identifying recruitment risks and shortfalls, including hard-to-fill roles and capability gaps, and escalate issues as appropriate
• contribute to the development and implementation of mitigation strategies, such as targeted campaigns and talent pools
• support training and capability development activities within the recruitment team
• collaborate with internal stakeholders to maintain alignment with recruitment policies and practices across the broader team.

What we are looking for

To deliver on these responsibilities, both roles require a shared foundation of key capabilities, including:

• strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence outcomes across internal and external stakeholders
• strong problem-solving and process improvement capabilities, with sound judgment to identify issues and contribute to effective solutions
• high level of adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement, with a proactive approach to learning and enhancing recruitment practices
• cultural capability to engage respectfully and inclusively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, applying culturally appropriate communication in all interactions.

Role specific Skills:

APS 6 Recruitment Manager

• sound understanding of recruitment processes and principles, including relevant legislation
• demonstrated experience in managing end-to-end recruitment operations, including the ability to identify and mitigate emerging risks
• ability to work strategically while balancing operational demands in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

In addition, the following skills, qualifications or experience are also highly desired:

• minimum 3 years’ experience in a recruitment position and/or similar role.

APS 5 Recruitment Team Leader

• strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities.

How to apply

To apply you will need to submit a statement of claims (maximum 500 words) responding to the following:

Explain how your experience and skills align with the requirements of the Recruitment Manager and/or Recruitment Team Leader role(s). If you wish to apply for both roles, please submit a statement which addresses the requirements of the Recruitment Manager (APS 6) role.

Applications close at 11.30 p.m. (AEST) Sunday 14th September 2025.