First Nations Temporary Employment & APS Mobility Register (Affirmative Measures - Indigenous)

IP Australia recognises the extraordinary contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their Indigenous Knowledges have made and will continue to make towards innovation, the economy and sciences. We are looking at ways the IP system can better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to protect and

benefit from their Indigenous Knowledge. 

IP Australia is a unique and innovative Australian government agency that works to help protect intellectual property (IP) of inventions, brands, designs, and plant varieties. We do this through the administration of patents, trade marks, designs, and plant breeder’s rights. 

Our work thrives on the diversity of the knowledge and lived experiences of our employees, and we are committed to building sustainable employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Our First Nations Strategy (the Strategy) sets out our commitments across capability, development, partnership and transformation. It provides a framework for IP Australia to enhance our engagement and collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, support their participation and empowerment in the IP System, and transform our organisational culture and practices to be more respectful, responsive, and accountable. The Strategy is integral in ensuring we meet our commitments under The National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

You can read our Strategy on our website: First Nations Strategy 2025-2030 | IP Australia

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees are welcomed and encouraged to participate on our Indigenous Employee Network (IEN). The IEN provides a culturally safe space to be supported and to connect within IP Australia. Our aim is to present a valuable cultural lens in support of our reconciliation agenda, and specialist advice for a wide range of Indigenous IP issues and policy work.

We continue to build a diverse workforce and a workplace where all employees feel they're valued, safe and can be their true selves with opportunities to reach their full potential. We encourage and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees to participate in cultural obligations, events, and cerebrations.

IP Australia embraces flexibility, including hours and location. Most of our roles can be done from anywhere in Australia, as long as you can provide a safe and productive work environment. We have offices on Ngunnawal Country (Canberra) and Naarm (Melbourne) for employees who are located within a reasonable distance to the office and most employees work a mixture of days in the office and days from home. Employees who are not located near an office, work completely remotely.

You can find out more about working at IP Australia on our website: Why Work With Us | IP Australia

IP Australia is seeking registrations from motivated and driven Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We will use this register to fill vacancies that may arise across the agency in two ways:

•    to offer non-APS temporary employment opportunities, or

•    to offer current APS employees temporary or permanent employment opportunities.

The First Nations Temporary Employment & APS Mobility Register is looking to attract a range of people with a range of skills. We will mostly use the register to fill policy and program officers, and corporate and administration roles. 

The duration of employment can range from several weeks up to 12 months. To be eligible for employment opportunities, applicants must have Australian citizenship. You can find details of our salary and conditions of engagement in the IP Australia Enterprise Agreement.

The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under Section 26 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner's Directions 2022. This vacancy is open only to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. If selected for a role, the successful candidate must provide appropriate confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Heritage. 

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS). 

All applicants offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a pre-engagement screening check, even if they have a security clearance. The screening check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements. 

The successful candidate/s may be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at a specified clearance level. 

The successful candidate/s must be willing to share all relevant and required information.