Commonwealth Ombudsman

About

The Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman safeguards the community in its dealings with the Australian Government. They have oversight of some private sector organisations. If an Australian Government agency has treated you unfairly or unreasonably, the Ombudsman can help you find a solution. Their service is free and they are independent. The Ombudsman specialises in the following areas: Private Health Insurance, Overseas Students, VET Student Loans, the Postal Industry, the Defence Force, Immigration and Law Enforcement. The Commonwealth Ombudsman is also responsible for: - Oversight of the Commonwealth Public Interest Disclosure scheme - Inspection and monitoring of certain covert and intrusive powers by police and other law enforcement agencies.

What kind of work?

The Commonwealth Ombudsman does not make a fresh decision, rather they consider the way a decision is made and make recommendations on how the decision or process could be enhanced. The Ombudsman is the oversight body when it comes to complaints. They can assist to resolve complaints by investigating the process if the agency does not change their decision or offer a better explanation of the decision.

Ombudsman employees ensure the actions of agencies are fair and responsible by: - Handling complaints - Conducting investigations - Performing audits and inspections - Encouraging good administration Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney

Graduate Opportunities

The Commonwealth Ombudsman does not have a formal graduate program. Howevers, graduates can apply for job vacancies or register an expression of interest for short-term temporary employment on the Non-ongoing Employment Register.

Please send your application by email to human. resources@ombudsman.gov.au. Applications will be kept for a period of 12 months from date of receipt.

You can find more information here: https://www.ombudsman.gov.au/what-we-do/careers

Fun Fact / Recent Project

Reviewing the Department of Home Affairs On 22 January 2018, the Department of Home Affairs introduced a new visitor management policy which changed the conditions of entry and entry application process for personal and professional visitors to immigration detention facilities.

The Office monitored the implementation of the policy through their complaints, inspections of immigration detention facilities and engagement with stakeholders. In October 2018 the Commonwealth Ombudsman provided an issues paper to the department, outlining concerns about the policy and making 13 recommendations.

The department accepted ten of the Ombudsman's

Location

recommendations.