Applications close at 11.30pm AEST on Sunday 24 August 2025 The Australian Passport Office (APO) is seeking a skilled, highly motivated APS6 Team Leader to join the Competent Authority Unit (CAU) within the Specialised Case Management Section. The APO issues passports to Australian citizens, both in Australia and overseas, under the Australian Passports Act 2005, related laws, and the Convention on International Civil Aviation. We also issue other types of travel documents, for example, Convention Travel Documents, to eligible non-citizens living in Australia. Within Australia, APO staff are also authorised to provide services such as the issuing of Certificates of no Impediment to Marriage and legalisations of documents (Apostilles and Authentications). CAU is part of the division's integrity and support branch, managing complex cases associated with domestic and international law enforcement, national security, and Commonwealth debt matters. The unit's work covers department wide support, case management, stakeholder engagement, reporting, and project coordination. The vacancy to be filled from this process is based in Canberra. This process may be used to fill roles in other locations in Australia and overseas. Our Ideal Candidate We're looking for high-performing people with skills and experience relevant to the department's enabling services operations. Our ideal candidates will: • Have the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism, and adherence to APO and departmental values. • Have a collaborative leadership approach and the confidence to engage with stakeholders from within the department and external agency partners to influence work area priorities. • Are results driven and can respond flexibly to change. • Have a security conscious mindset and understand the importance of adhering to the 'need to know' principle. • Are critical thinkers and can make informed decisions, solve problems, and identify opportunities. • Are detail-orientated and produce quality work with a commitment to productivity and developing own abilities. • Can make sound judgements being mindful of managing risk. • Have demonstrated experience managing teams in a service delivery environment, including the ability to lead, mentor, and manage staff performance. • Are strong communicators with demonstrated liaison skills, an ability to establish and maintain networks, manage relationships with stakeholders and produce high quality written material. The key duties of the position include Your duties and responsibilities will be aligned to the relevant APS Work Level Standards . CAU team leaders manage a small team which is responsible for day-to-day workflow and priorities related to the administration of competent authority requests. The caseload is interesting and rewarding, with officers multiskilled across both the domestic and international aspects of the unit. We are looking for someone who demonstrates high levels of discretion and who has an eye for detail. An understanding of passport legislation, processes and systems, or the ability to quickly acquire this knowledge, is highly desirable. Energy, a can-do attitude, and a willingness to achieve positive outcomes will see you succeed in this role. Working within the CAU gives officers exposure to whole of government priorities, a deeper understanding of the relationship between the APO and broader DFAT, and the opportunity to develop wide and influential networks across the department. Your key duties will include: •Conduct internal and external stakeholder engagement and outreach. •Manage the day-to-day operations and performance outputs of the team, ensuring objectives and key performance indicators are met, and managing timely completion of competing priorities through appropriate resource planning. •Support the development of team capacity by coaching junior staff and ensuring they have adequate access to resources and guidance when required. •Contribute to the provision of advice and guidance and apply a well-developed understanding of passport legislation, policy and processes on passport eligibility matters and the extent to which they comply with relevant legislation, regulations, policies, and guidelines. •Create a work environment that is collaborative, interactive, inspired, and positive by leading by example and applying an innovative approach to issues which impact on service delivery. •Prepare ministerial submissions, correspondence to customers and documentation of case notes. •Oversee short to long term case management of complex applications. •Provide factual, unbiased, and professional assessments of circumstances.
