National Children’s Commissioner

Description:

The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is an independent statutory authority and Australia's national human rights institution, established under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) (AHRC Act) and accredited internationally as an A-status institution under the Paris Principles. The Commission has a range of duties, functions and powers with respect to human rights under the AHRC Act and Commonwealth anti-discrimination legislation, including promoting community awareness of human rights, investigating human rights issues of national importance, conciliating anti-discrimination complaints, reviewing legislation for compliance with human rights, and advising the Government on legislation and policy relating to human rights.

The Commission currently consists of the President and seven Commissioners. As a member of the Commission, the National Children’s Commissioner will be expected to contribute to the governance and leadership of the Commission. The National Children’s Commissioner has no role in the complaint handling functions of the Commission. Information about the Commission’s strategic and operating framework is available in the Commission’s latest Corporate Plan and Strategic Plan.

The Commission’s office is located in Sydney. Further information about the Commission is available on the Commission's website.

The National Children’s Commissioner leads the Commission’s work relating primarily to the rights of children. This includes promoting understanding and acceptance of, and compliance with, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, promoting discussion and awareness of issues affecting children, undertaking research and education projects promoting children’s rights, monitoring Commonwealth legislation and policy for compliance with the rights of children and consulting with children, representative organisations, and stakeholders as appropriate.

The functions of the National Children’s Commissioner are set out in section 46MB of the AHRC Act.

Eligibility
Applicants for the position of National Children’s Commissioner will have appropriate qualifications, knowledge or experience for the role, as required under subsection 46MC(2) of the AHRC Act.

Terms and conditions of appointment
The appointment will be for up to five years commencing 2 November 2025. The Commission’s office is located in Sydney. Remuneration and allowances for the position are set by the Remuneration Tribunal and can be viewed on the Remuneration Tribunal website at Remuneration Tribunal (Remuneration and Allowances for Holders of Full time Public Office) Determination 2024.

The Attorney-General's Department delivers programs and policies to maintain and improve Australia's law and justice framework, and to facilitate jobs growth through policies that promote fair, productive, flexible and safe workplaces. Through the Australian Government Solicitor, we also provide legal services to the Commonwealth, including legal advice and representation. Our department is the central policy and coordinating element of the Attorney-General's portfolio.

Our department is structured into five groups:

• Australian Government Solicitor
• Justice and Communities
• National Security and Criminal Justice
• Integrity and International
• Enabling Services

The department operates in a diverse and complex environment to address challenging issues. We have a highly-skilled and engaged workforce involved in policy development and implementation and program administration. The department also has a large number of practicing lawyers, mainly within the Australian Government Solicitor Group within the department.

The department is committed to having a flexible and inclusive workplace and recognises and values the diversity of the wider Australia community. We encourage and welcome applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature age people.