Revealing the Australian Institute of Criminology: Your Rapid Path to a Government Career 📑
Ever wondered what it really takes to succeed at the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC)? Whether you’re an experienced public servant or a fresh graduate hoping to land your dream role, this quick read has you covered. We’ve delved into the AIC’s latest annual report so you don’t have to! From their mission and finances to the core skills and qualifications they look for, you’ll get the concise, actionable insights needed to take the next step in your government career. Read on for your fast-track guide to the AIC and see if this could be your big opportunity! 🚀
AT-A-GLANCE
Name of Department / Council: Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC)
Location: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
CEO: Heather Cook (Director)
Total Revenue: Approximately $6.58 million (2023–24)
Total Number of Employees: 24
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO
Top 5 Academic Qualifications Most Suited:
Criminology or Criminal Justice – Builds strong foundations in evidence-based policy work.
Law – Helpful for examining legislative frameworks and advising on justice reform.
Data Science / Statistics – Critical for crunching complex datasets and revealing trends.
Psychology / Sociology – Offers insight into human behaviour and social drivers of crime.
Public Administration / Policy – Equips you to develop strategies and navigate public-sector processes.
Top 5 Certifications Most Suited:
Project Management (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP) – Essential for coordinating multiple research projects effectively.
Data Analytics (e.g., Google Data Analytics) – For high-level statistical work on crime data.
Research Methods (various short courses) – Underpins robust, peer-reviewed publications.
Financial Administration (e.g., Cert IV in Bookkeeping) – Useful in grants administration and budget oversight.
Information Technology (e.g., ITIL Foundation) – Helps maintain secure digital systems and manage online research tools.
Top 5 Trades / Professions Most Suited:
ICT Technicians – Maintain infrastructure that supports large-scale data research.
Library & Information Professionals – Handle specialised collections crucial to criminological study.
Finance & Accounting Officers – Manage and forecast budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility.
Administrative Services Officers – Streamline day-to-day operations and stakeholder coordination.
Communications / Media Specialists – Translate academic research into clear, engaging content for policy and public audiences.
Top 5 Skills Most Suited:
Research & Analytical Thinking – Powers evidence-based policy recommendations.
Clear Written Communication – Distils complex findings into impactful, concise reports.
Stakeholder Engagement – Fosters collaboration with government agencies and external partners.
Project Coordination – Keeps diverse tasks on schedule and within scope.
Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving – Fuels innovative approaches to emerging crime and justice challenges.
Top 5 Work Experiences Most Suited:
Government Policy or Program Roles – Brings familiarity with public service processes.
Social Science or Academic Research – Shows you’re adept at deep analysis and rigorous methodologies.
Law Enforcement or Legal Advisory – Offers practical, frontline insights into justice administration.
Data Analysis or Business Intelligence – Demonstrates the capacity to interpret large datasets.
Community Projects or NGO Work – Indicates real-world experience with grassroots issues.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC)
Name of CEO: Heather Cook (Director)
Location: Canberra, Australia (within the Attorney-General’s portfolio)
Year Founded: 1973
Main Mission and Purpose of the Department:
Aims to reduce crime and promote justice by conducting high-quality, policy-focused research.
Real-World Example: For instance, AIC research on cybercrime trends can inform new cybersecurity measures, helping safeguard everyday Australians from online fraud.
Main Duties of the Department:
Researching National Crime Trends: From domestic violence to organised crime, the AIC compiles data to guide effective policy.
Supporting Policy Development: Ensures federal and state agencies have access to the latest empirical evidence.
Publishing & Disseminating Findings: Makes criminological research freely available to policymakers and the public.
Advising Government: Offers evidence-driven input for legislative changes and operational strategies.
Real-World Example: By analysing homicide statistics, the AIC can inform measures to reduce intimate partner violence.
Key Projects, Key Strategic Priorities, Future Plans & Initiatives:
Focused Topics: Includes transnational organised crime, cybercrime, family and domestic violence, and more.
Innovation in Analysis: Piloting machine learning to predict high-harm offending and evaluating new approaches to crime prevention.
Enhanced Data Linkage: Aggregating information from multiple agencies for a comprehensive national snapshot.
Did You Know?
The AIC has been Australia’s national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice for over 50 years. 🎉
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees: 24
Total Number of Employees at Each Pay Level:
SES 1: 1
EL 2: 4
EL 1: 4
APS 6: 7
APS 5: 6
APS 4: 2
APS 3: 0
APS 2: 0
APS 1: 0
Salary Bands (Approximate Ranges):
APS 1: $52,000 – $56,306
APS 2: $58,524 – $64,895
APS 3: $67,707 – $73,077
APS 4: $74,422 – $80,807
APS 5: $82,403 – $87,572
APS 6: $90,199 – $101,745
EL 1: $113,355 – $136,660
EL 2: $141,624 – $159,567
SES 1: $197,729 – $257,645
SES 2: $274,532 – $319,197
SES 3: $340,642 – $404,914
Average Salary in the Department: Approximately $111,000
Total Revenue: Around $6.58 million
Average Revenue per Employee: About $274,000
GETTING A JOB AT
Which academic subjects are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Business Administration – Contributes to managing day-to-day operations and project support.
ICT / Cyber Security Foundations – Assists in tackling modern cybercrime challenges.
Library & Information Services – Crucial for organising research materials in a specialised environment.
Project Administration – Aids in coordinating research timelines and deliverables.
Data Literacy – Allows for basic data interpretation and reporting skills.
Bachelor / Master Level:
Criminology / Criminal Justice – Core to shaping top-tier crime prevention strategies.
Data Science / Statistics – Powers deep data analyses and predictive models.
Law – Invaluable for understanding the complexities of legislation that shape justice policy.
Psychology / Sociology – Examines social and behavioural dimensions of crime.
Public Policy / Administration – Ideal for those looking to craft or review major government initiatives.
PhDs:
Criminology – Advanced research capabilities to tackle large-scale national projects.
Social Sciences (e.g., Sociology, Psychology) – Critical for advanced policy research, especially on societal factors.
Law – Offers nuanced legislative and judicial insights into policy reforms.
Data Science / AI – Implements sophisticated data tools, such as machine learning for crime analytics.
Public Policy – Shapes broader frameworks for systemic change.
Which trades and professions are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Data Analysts & Statisticians – Interpret and present complex datasets for policy insights.
Research Officers – Drive and coordinate national-level crime research projects.
IT Professionals – Manage tech infrastructure supporting secure data analysis.
Library & Information Specialists – Facilitate knowledge-sharing and publication of key findings.
Finance Officers – Oversee budgets, especially with research grants and project funding.
Which work experiences are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Government Policy Roles – In-depth understanding of public-sector processes.
Social Science or Academic Research – Demonstrates your ability to conduct and publish rigorous studies.
Law Enforcement or Legal Advisory – Brings practical insights on crime and justice matters.
Data Analytics in Government or Private Sector – Shows you can convert raw figures into meaningful solutions.
Community Project Coordination – Highlights grassroots engagement and stakeholder management skills.
Which skills are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?
Soft Skills: Collaboration, Communication, Adaptability, Problem-Solving, and Stakeholder Management.
Technical Skills: Data Modelling, Statistical Analysis, ICT Security, Research Design, Policy Evaluation.
General Skills: Project Management, Clear Writing, Strategic Thinking, Budget Coordination, and Meeting Tight Deadlines.
Which hobbies and interests align with the work of this department?
Reading the latest crime research or government policy news
Volunteering with community justice initiatives
Participating in data hackathons or criminology seminars
Writing about social justice issues
Engaging in policy forums and public debates
Want more information on this department?
Contact the department:
Address: GPO Box 1936, Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: +61 (0)2 6260 9200 (AIC Enquiries)
Email: front.desk@aic.gov.au
Website: aic.gov.au
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