Ombudsman WA

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN WA

Level 2, Albert Facey House, 469 Wellington Street, Perth 6000 ombudsman.wa.gov.au human.hrrecruitment@ ombudsman.wa.gov.au

Does the Office offer opportunities for graduates? The Office advertises positions in the WA Government Jobs Board (jobs.wa.gov.au). What qualities does the Office look for in graduates? Most positions at the Office require excellent conceptual and analytical skills, a high level of written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills and an understanding of the principles of independence, reasonableness and procedural fairness. People from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacancies at the Office.

What interesting work has the Office recently engaged in? In July 2021, the Ombudsman released his investigation report, An investigation into the Office of the Public Advocate’s role in notifying the families of Mrs Joyce Savage, Mr Robert Ayling and Mr Kenneth Hartley of the deaths of Mrs Savage, Mr Ayling and Mr Hartley. The report arose following a request to the Ombudsman by the Honourable John Quigley MLA, Attorney General, to investigate the Office of the Public Advocate’s (OPA) role in notifying the family of Mrs Joyce Savage of the death of Mrs Savage. The Attorney General also requested that the Ombudsman include in his investigation the circumstances of OPA’s notification to the families of Mr Robert Ayling and Mr Kenneth Hartley of the deaths of Mr Ayling and Mr Hartley. As a result of the Investigation, the Ombudsman formed a number of opinions regarding OPA’s role. Arising from these opinions, the Ombudsman made seven recommendations to OPA. The OPA has agreed to all seven recommendations. The Ombudsman will actively monitor the steps taken by OPA to give effect to the recommendations.

Does the Office offer opportunities to students? The Office provides law students an opportunity to apply for the office’s clerkship program during the university vacation period. Each year, the clerkship is advertised on the WA Government Jobs Board and the office also informs universities when the program is advertised. Contact the person in the job advertisement to obtain an understanding of the advertised role and information about the job, and provide a comprehensive curriculum vitae that details your qualifications and your duties and achievements in your current and previous work. The CV needs to show that you have the skills, knowledge and capacity to do the work of the advertised position.

What is the Office’s focus? The office of the Ombudsman (Office) provides access to justice, advances human rights for vulnerable and disadvantaged populations and promotes the rule of law. The Ombudsman is an independent and impartial officer of the Parliament who reports to the Parliament rather than the government of the day. The Office utilises all aspects of public law in undertaking their work. The Office has four principal functions, which are: • Providing access to justice to Western Australians regarding the administration of government; • Making recommendations about ways to prevent or reduce child deaths and family and domestic violence fatalities through the undertaking of reviews; • Undertaking major investigations with the powers of a standing Royal Commission; • Undertaking a range of inspection and monitoring functions of particular powers given to agencies of the State.