#909 Australian Information Commissioner, Statutory Appointment, Office of the Information Commissioner
The OAIC is the national independent statutory body dealing with privacy, freedom of information (FOI) and government information policy. The OAIC exercises certain functions under the Privacy Act 1988 (Privacy Act), the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) and the Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010 (AIC Act).
The OAIC has a broad range of functions under the Privacy Act, FOI Act and AIC Act, including conducting investigations and assessments relating to privacy, administering the notifiable data breaches scheme, handling privacy and FOI-related complaints, reviewing decisions that are made under the FOI Act and providing advice to the public, government agencies and businesses.
The Information Commissioner is a full-time statutory office holder, appointed by the Governor‑General under section 14 of the AIC Act.
The Information Commissioner is the head of the OAIC and is responsible for overseeing information policy functions of government.
As agency head, the Information Commissioner will be responsible for leading the agency to administer its functions, driving its strategic direction, and for its performance and corporate operations. This will include continued implementation of the outcomes of the Strategic Review of the OAIC to ensure the organisation meets all of its functions including privacy and FOI.
The Information Commissioner may be required to exercise functions under statute, including reporting to the Attorney-General on matters relating to Australian Government information management policy and practice, including FOI and privacy.
The Information Commissioner will be expected to be a public spokesperson for the OAIC on matters relating to information policy, including promoting open government, and other matters within the OAIC’s responsibilities including robust privacy protections and the effective operation of the FOI framework.
Applications should be emailed to appointments@ag.gov.au by 5:00pm (AEDT) on 24 November 2023.