Inside the Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care: Your 60-Second Guide to Landing Your Dream Role 🚀
Ever wondered what it’s really like to work at the Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care? We’ve done the heavy lifting by dissecting their Annual Report (source: OIGAC 2023–24 Annual Report), so you don’t have to! In this quickfire overview, you’ll discover everything you need to know about this newly established Australian Government entity, from its key oversight functions to the skills and qualifications they’re seeking in new recruits. Whether you’re a seasoned public servant or a fresh school-leaver, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to navigate your path to a rewarding government career.
AT-A-GLANCE:
Name of Department / Council: Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care
Location: Headquartered in Canberra, ACT, serving all of Australia
CEO: Ian Yates (Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care)
Total Revenue: Approximately $6.31 million (2023–24)
Total Number of Employees: 21
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO
Top 5 academic qualifications most suited:
Bachelor of Public Policy – Builds a strong grounding in policy-making and legislation.
Diploma of Project Management – Essential for coordinating complex reviews and improvement projects.
Bachelor of Law (LLB) – A valuable asset for interpreting legislation and guiding regulatory oversight.
Bachelor of Business / Commerce – Helps with budgeting, resource allocation, and financial analysis.
Master of Data Analytics – Supports evidence-based decision-making and deeper review of aged care data.
Top 5 certifications most suited:
Certificate IV in Government (Statutory Compliance) – Provides a framework for complying with public sector procedures.
PRINCE2 or PMP (Project Management Professional) – Strengthens systematic planning and delivery of initiatives.
Certificate in Investigative Services – Equips you to conduct in-depth investigations in a government context.
Certificate IV in Policy Development – Offers best-practice approaches to shaping and refining policy.
Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) – Enhances oversight and risk management capabilities.
Top 5 trades / professions most suited:
Legal Professionals – Oversee compliance with complex laws and regulations.
Financial Analysts / Accountants – Evaluate budget processes and advise on sound financial stewardship.
Human Resources Practitioners – Manage staff recruitment, training, and strategic workforce planning.
Policy Officers – Translate government objectives into workable policies and reforms.
Communications Specialists – Convey important findings and engage stakeholders effectively.
Top 5 skills most suited:
Soft Skills:
Stakeholder Engagement – Collaborate with agencies, providers, and consumers to gather insights.
Active Listening – Capture diverse viewpoints for thorough oversight.
Clear Communication – Ensure key messages are easily understood by all.
Technical Skills:
Data Analysis – Identify trends and inform evidence-based recommendations.
Project Management – Coordinate and deliver multiple reviews on schedule.
General Skills:
Report Writing – Transform complex analyses into persuasive public documents.
Time Management – Balance tight deadlines across various projects.
Team Collaboration – Work seamlessly with different sections and agencies.
Top 5 work experiences most suited:
Government or Public Sector Roles – Familiarity with legislation and processes.
Compliance and Regulatory Work – Useful for ensuring performance obligations are met.
Auditing or Accounting Background – Facilitates deep dives into financials and internal controls.
Project Coordination – Applies structured frameworks to meet goals efficiently.
Policy Implementation – Demonstrates the ability to translate strategies into real-world outcomes.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care
Name of CEO: Ian Yates (Acting Inspector-General)
Location: Australia-wide (headquartered in Canberra, ACT)
Year Founded: 2023
Main mission and purpose of the department:
To improve the aged care system through independent oversight of its administration, funding, and regulation. Real-world example: Conducting reviews of barriers older Australians face when accessing aged care services, then recommending system-wide solutions.
Main duties of the department:
The Office investigates systemic issues across the aged care sector, makes recommendations for reform, and reports directly to Parliament. For instance, by evaluating My Aged Care, the Office pinpoints challenges older people experience and proposes strategies for a more efficient and user-friendly system.
Key Projects, Key Strategic Priorities, Future Plans and Initiatives:
Royal Commission Progress Reports – Tracking the government’s implementation of aged care reforms.
Targeted Reviews – Examining specific programs (e.g., My Aged Care) to enhance accessibility and effectiveness.
Systems Monitoring – Gathering data to uncover trends and emerging issues.
Stakeholder Engagement – Consulting with older Australians, providers, and industry experts to improve outcomes.
Did you know?
The Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care is the first independent oversight body of its kind in Australia’s human services sector, delivering greater accountability and transparency in how older Australians receive care.
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees: 21
Total Number of Employees at Each Pay Level:
APS 4: 2
APS 6: 6
EL 1: 6
EL 2: 5
SES 1: 1
Salary Bands:
APS 4: $78,954 – $83,424
APS 6: $94,736 – $106,876
EL 1: $116,418 – $132,777
EL 2: $138,897 – $164,446
SES 1: $208,685 – $251,772
Average salary in the department: Estimated around $115,000
Total Revenue: Approximately $6.31 million
Average Revenue per Employee: About $300,000 (calculated by total revenue ÷ total staff)
GETTING A JOB AT
When writing your job application, be sure to use titles and keywords that match common APS and OIGAC roles, such as “Policy Officer,” “Data Analyst,” or “Compliance Specialist.”
Which academic subjects are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Certificate IV in Government Administration – Builds essential APS knowledge.
Diploma of Community Services – Applies to policy work influencing social outcomes for older Australians.
Diploma of Project Management – Ideal for coordinating multiple tasks in a government environment.
Bachelor / Master Level:
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) – Critical for understanding complex legislation.
Bachelor of Economics / Finance – Helps in analyzing budgets and resource allocation.
Bachelor of Communications – Perfect for relaying findings and recommendations with clarity.
Master of Public Administration – Provides advanced leadership and policy-development capabilities.
PhDs:
PhD in Public Policy or Governance – Equips you to tackle intricate, system-wide reforms.
PhD in Data Science – Enables you to perform robust analytics for evidence-based decisions.
Which trades and professions are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
IT Specialists – Manage secure information systems and data collection.
Legal Officers – Ensure regulatory compliance and protect stakeholder interests.
Policy Advisors – Drive legislation and program design.
Data Analysts – Spot trends and inefficiencies across the sector.
Business Support Officers – Oversee day-to-day operations and administrative tasks.
Which work experiences are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Previous Government Employment – Understands APS frameworks and public-sector ethics.
Regulatory or Compliance Background – Applies checks and balances across the system.
Research and Report Writing – Translates insights into actionable recommendations.
Financial Management – Handles funding, budget forecasts, and cost-benefit studies.
Community Engagement – Connects public feedback to meaningful policy outcomes.
Which skills are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Soft Skills:
Empathy and Active Listening – Ensures older Australians’ voices are valued.
Negotiation – Balances diverse stakeholder interests for effective policymaking.
Technical Skills:
Statistical Analysis (📊) – Evaluates the success of programs and identifies areas needing improvement.
Process Mapping – Pinpoints inefficiencies in administrative procedures.
General Skills:
Critical Thinking – Uncovers root causes of systemic issues.
Collaborative Problem-Solving – Fosters cross-team innovation.
Time Management – Juggles concurrent reviews within strict deadlines.
Which hobbies and interests align with the work of this department?
Public Policy Reading – Keeps you current on social and legislative trends.
Community Volunteering – Demonstrates commitment to social causes.
Research and Writing – Builds analytical chops for thorough investigations.
Want more information on this department?
Contact the Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care:
Address: PO Box 350, Woden ACT 2606, Australia
Telephone: +61 2 6289 1555 (General Enquiries)
Email: contact@igac.gov.au
Website: www.igac.gov.au
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