Senior Collection Access Officer

This position plays a key role in Collection Access, supporting the Assistant Director to deliver responsive, culturally safe, and legally compliant access services that reflect AIATSIS' strategic priorities. As the APS6 Access Officer, the successful candidate will play an active role in the leadership of complex client services, supervision of staff, and contribute to policy and workflow improvements that enhance both community and researcher engagement with the AIATSIS collection.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• allocating and processing requests for AIATSIS collection material and providing general reference and library services.
• high-level research of the AIATSIS collection, navigating complex rights matters clarifying the copyright and Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property rights of AIATSIS collection materials and clearance for use.
• managing community access visits, tours and supporting collection education activities.
• lead complex client services.
• work allocation, supervision and mentoring of staff.
• communicating respectfully and sensitively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and communities.

Our Ideal Candidate

To be successful in this role, you will be a dynamic professional with high level communication and research skills with the ability to communicate respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Candidates will have a high level of demonstrated cultural capability.

You will come with the following skills, experience and attributes:

• demonstrated ability to undertake high-level research of the AIATSIS collection, apply critical thinking, and provide evidence-based advice on complex rights, access, and governance matters effectively both verbally and in writing.
• proven ability to supervise, motivate, and train staff whilst supporting professional growth.
• contribute to team planning in alignment with agency goals adapting to unit priorities in a flexible manner as required.
• capacity to anticipate challenges, recognise emerging opportunities, and use initiative to develop creative, sustainable solutions that strengthen access services.
• highly developed verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to engage diverse stakeholders including Indigenous clients, community organisations, researchers, and government agencies with clarity, sensitivity, and authority.
• experience in information management, collection access systems, and digital workflows, with the ability to contribute to modernisation and reform initiatives.
• ability to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines efficiently and effectively, whilst maintaining excellent attention to detail.
• proficient in Microsoft office suite and Adobe acrobat Pro.
• strong understanding and experience of the content management system Drupal (desirable).
• strong understanding and experience of the collection management system Axiell (desirable).

Cultural Capability

Roles at AIATSIS require candidates to have an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and proven culturally appropriate engagement and communications skills.  The nature of this role requires the candidate to consistently demonstrate the following specific cultural capabilities:

• understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business within the agency and the outcomes the agency is responsible for delivering.
• understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and the dynamics of engaging with them respectfully.
• understand the heritage, cultural and intellectual property rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities as they apply to research.
• understand the sources of knowledge resting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, stakeholders, and networks.
• understand the impact of attitudes, beliefs, and past experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the engagement and consultation process.
• an authentic and respectful interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, policy, and implementation matters.

AIATSIS embodies Yindyamarra  in everything we do

What we offer

We understand that you will work best when you have a healthy work-life balance and can attend to your family commitments. That is why we offer,

• great salary conditions
• 15.4% Superannuation
• competitive leave entitlements including 20 days annual leave, 18 days personal leave, Cultural, ceremonial and NAIDOC leave, up to 18 weeks parental leave, and the ability to purchase extra leave.
• health benefits including, reimbursements for health promotion activities, eye health and flu vaccinations.
• for eligible employees, generous study leave, course fee and materials assistance, to undertake relevant accredited study.
• paid leave during an extended end of year shutdown
• flexible working conditions

ContactIf you have any questions about the role, you can contact Philip Khalu-Reindl on or

This is an Affirmative Measures opportunity

This position will be filled using the Affirmative Measure provision, which allows for the targeted recruitment of Indigenous Australians into the Australian Public Service. The vacancy is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. The filling of this employment opportunity is intended to constitute an Affirmative Measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.