Senior Compliance and Investigations Officers, Regulatory Division, Australian Electoral Commission 

12 months (possible extension to 18 months)  

Canberra or Melbourne 

$91,140 to $102,152 plus 15.4% superannuation 

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is trusted to deliver Australia's federal elections. Its work extends well beyond election day: as a national regulator, the AEC helps ensure Australians can see who is funding their political system, driving the transparency that underpins public confidence in our democracy. With the most significant reforms to political funding and disclosure in 40 years on the way, the AEC is committed to delivering this work with the quality, agility and professionalism its values demand. 

The AEC's Regulatory Division is expanding to meet this challenge. It is seeking four experienced officers, three Senior Compliance Officers and one Senior Investigations Officer, who bring sound judgement, the confidence to lead others and a genuine commitment to fairness and integrity. 

The Role 
You will join the Disclosure and Compliance section, which coordinates political financial disclosure and delivers compliance reviews and investigations. You will have genuine autonomy and accountability for your work, take on matters of greater complexity, and lead and support a team as the section moves through a period of significant change. 

This role suits someone who is experienced, methodical and confident working independently, with the analytical ability to interpret complex information and provide sound advice to decision-makers. You will be a capable leader and communicator who can guide others, manage competing priorities and build productive relationships with stakeholders at all levels. 

Senior Investigations Officer 
As a Senior Investigations Officer, you will conduct investigations into the cases that present the highest risk, applying a risk-based approach to arrangements that may have been deliberately set up to avoid electoral funding and disclosure obligations. You will use data and intelligence tools to draw insights that identify high-risk individuals, organisations and schemes, informing further compliance action and targeted strategies to address risk. You will prepare high-quality briefs, reports and correspondence for decision-makers, contribute to the development of policies and procedures, and guide and support junior staff to build capability and maintain quality. 

Senior Compliance Officers 
As a Senior Compliance Officer, you will independently review the financial disclosure returns lodged by political parties, candidates and other participants to ensure they are accurate, complete and meet legislative requirements. You will undertake complex assessments of election funding claims across the electoral cycle, and oversee and coordinate the accurate processing and payment of funding to eligible parties and candidates. You will also lead the collection and analysis of information from diverse sources to identify potential non-compliance, including risks of foreign influence through financial contributions, and guide and support junior staff to build capability and maintain quality. 

About You 
You will bring solid experience in structured, detail-focused work, along with experience guiding, mentoring or supervising others. The AEC welcomes candidates with transferable skills from a range of settings. Each stream suits a slightly different background: 

• Investigations: experience conducting investigations, intelligence or data analysis, and preparing high-quality briefs for decision-makers. 

• Compliance: accounting, commerce or finance qualifications or experience, with experience supporting or leading financial audits or assurance work, reviewing returns and processing payments. 

You are organised and methodical, with well-developed analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex information, identify issues and risks, and provide timely, well-informed advice to decision-makers. You apply sound judgement to balance competing demands, deliver quality outcomes under pressure, and lead by example as legislation, priorities and processes change. You also bring highly developed stakeholder communication skills, collaborating effectively across teams and business areas, and engaging confidently and professionally with stakeholders at all levels, including political parties, candidates and other scheme participants. 

Why This Role 
The AEC offers a rare combination: meaningful work that directly supports trust in Australia's democratic system and matters to every citizen; the chance to step into a senior role at a pivotal time, as major electoral funding reforms commence; and the opportunity to lead complex, high-profile work while developing others within a supportive team. For an experienced professional ready to take on greater responsibility in a role with public purpose, this is an excellent opportunity to help shape how a national regulator operates during a period of significant reform. 

The AEC values the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences its people bring, and offers flexible working arrangements, wellbeing and employee assistance programs, learning and development opportunities, study assistance, purchased leave, a paid Christmas and New Year shutdown, and a generous 15.4% superannuation contribution. 

Eligibility 
To work at the AEC you must be an Australian citizen. You will need to complete a National Police Check and be able to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance. Pre-employment screening includes police, identity and political neutrality checks. As the AEC must be, and be seen to be, politically neutral, people who are active in political affairs or referendum issues are not eligible. Successful candidates may be required to sign a political neutrality declaration and a deed covering confidentiality and conflicts of interest. 

Applications and Confidential Enquiries 
To apply, submit your resume in Word format with a brief cover letter indicating your preferred stream (Compliance or Investigations), your relevant experience, and any experience leading or supervising others. For a confidential discussion, please contact Susanna Trochilas, Capstone, on 0437 033 398 or susanna@capstonerecruitment.com.au.