If you’re looking to make a meaningful impact on data privacy within the public sector, the Advisor Privacy position at the Department of Customer Service might be just the opportunity for you.
This role is crucial for maintaining a robust privacy framework at SafeWork NSW, and it involves working in a fast-paced environment that supports privacy management programs, internal reviews, and assessments. Your contributions will directly enhance the safety and privacy of workplaces across New South Wales while managing compliance with relevant legislation.
Table of Contents
If you’re new to public sector recruitment, you might find this unofficial guide to NSW Government applications helpful for understanding how the process works and what to expect.
Advisor Privacy Salary and Overview
| Position Title | Advisor, Privacy |
| Organisation | SafeWork NSW – Department of Customer Service |
| Location | Gosford or Paramatta |
| Work Type | Full-Time |
| Base Pay | Salary Grade 7/8, starting from $110,266 + superannuation |
| Closing Date | 6th June 2025 [9:59 AM] |
About the Advisor, Privacy Role at Department of Customer Service
This Advisor Privacy position within the Privacy, Records, and Data Governance Team at the Department of Customer Service offers a significant role in ensuring that SafeWork NSW adheres to proper data management practices. Located in either Gosford or Parramatta, this full-time role is pivotal for maintaining and enhancing the privacy framework, which aligns with legal, regulatory, and internal guidelines.
The Advisor will work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment focused on supporting privacy management programs, conducting internal privacy reviews, and delivering privacy impact assessments. You’ll manage compliance with the PPIP Act and HRIP Act, and ensure the organisation swiftly and effectively handles data breaches. As part of SafeWork NSW, which serves as the state’s workplace health and safety regulator, the role also involves contributing to strategic initiatives that drive cultural uplift and risk awareness.
By joining the Department of Customer Service, you’ll be part of an organisation committed to improving government services, focusing on customer service, digital transformation, and regulatory reform. Your work within the Privacy, Records, and Data Governance Team directly impacts the safety and privacy of NSW workplaces, adding substantial public value to the community.
Why Joining SafeWork NSW is a Great Opportunity
This is a great opportunity to join a trusted and established agency, where you can make a meaningful impact on privacy management at SafeWork NSW.
- Flexible working options with locations in Gosford or Parramatta.
- Career growth in a modernizing and innovative government department.
- Inclusion in a talent pool for future roles, increasing success opportunity.
- Full-time position with a competitive salary and public sector benefits and leave entitlements
Advisor Privacy Application Requirements
Candidates must meet the following requirements to be considered for an interview for the Advisor Privacy at the Department of Customer Service.
SafeWork NSW Application Process
To apply, candidates are required to submit the following documents:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
There are no page limits for these documents, so I recommend that you draft an effective two page cover letter that includes detailed examples of how you are a good fit for the role.
What to Include in Your Advisor Privacy Application
Your cover letter should address the key skills and experience the panel is looking for. Below is a table summarising the required skills and experience for this Advisor Privacy Role.
| Requirement | Source |
| Highly motivated, flexible person who is passionate about improving privacy and risk awareness | About you |
| High-level organisational skills and in-depth understanding of privacy law | About you |
| Excellent communication, work individually, collaborate with peers | About you |
| Exceptional relationship management and influencing skills at all levels | About you |
| Experience in project delivery to achieve business outcomes | About you |
Candidate Profile for Advisor, Privacy
Laura has dedicated the past 12 years of her career to advancing privacy and data protection measures within the public sector. With a law degree specializing in information and privacy law, she began her journey as a junior privacy consultant, quickly advancing to manage complex privacy programs for key government agencies. Recently, Laura led a successful initiative that revamped data privacy compliance strategies across multiple departments, leading to heightened data protection and risk reduction.
Laura is applying for the Advisor, Privacy position at the Department of Customer Service to leverage her extensive background in privacy law and passion for fostering a culture of awareness around data protection. She sees this role as a perfect opportunity to apply her experience in strategic project delivery and to work closely with stakeholders across all levels to implement innovative, privacy-focused solutions.
Example Cover Letter for SafeWork NSW Advisor Privacy
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the Advisor Privacy position at SafeWork NSW.
With over a decade of experience in privacy law and compliance within the public sector, I am highly motivated and passionate about advancing privacy and risk awareness across organisations. I am keen to contribute my expertise in project delivery and relationship management to your team.
In a previous role with a government agency, I led the development of agency-wide privacy guidelines to address inconsistencies in how personal information was handled across business units. The challenge was to align teams with varying levels of privacy awareness and legal understanding. I undertook a comprehensive review of legislative requirements, consulted legal and operational stakeholders, and translated obligations into clear, actionable protocols tailored to different service areas. The final product was adopted as the agency’s primary privacy reference and remains embedded in training and compliance processes. This project required strong organisational skills, legal understanding, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively to deliver business-critical outcomes.
Communication and collaboration have been central to my work. I designed and facilitated a series of interactive workshops to improve privacy risk awareness across frontline and management teams. Many participants were new to privacy principles, so I developed relatable case studies and simplified legislative concepts to build confidence. Feedback showed a 90% increase in participants’ self-rated understanding of their privacy responsibilities. The initiative also led to improved coordination between legal, HR, and operational teams. This experience highlighted my ability to influence and build strong relationships across all levels, from frontline staff to senior executives.
I have also led complex privacy-related projects from planning through to implementation. In my most recent role, I managed the full overhaul of a department’s privacy and data handling policies in response to a legislative review. The task involved assessing existing gaps, engaging subject matter experts, and managing competing deadlines and stakeholder priorities. I introduced a central tracking system for approvals and milestones, which kept the project on track and transparent. The result was a new suite of policies delivered ahead of schedule and fully aligned with current legislative requirements—demonstrating my ability to drive project delivery while managing risk and business needs.
What sets me apart is my passion for making privacy meaningful and actionable in the workplace. I thrive in environments where I can collaborate with peers, influence change, and design solutions that improve outcomes across an organisation.
I would welcome the opportunity to further discuss how I can support your privacy team and contribute to a strong, compliant, and privacy-aware culture.
Thank you for considering my application.
Kind regards,
Laura
How to Use the STAR Method When Applying for an Advisor Privacy Role
The STAR Method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—is a proven technique for structuring responses in NSW Government job applications. Whether you’re addressing selection criteria, answering target questions, or writing a cover letter, STAR helps you clearly demonstrate your experience and the impact of your work.
Let’s use a real-style example based on the earlier cover letter to show how this method works in action. Suppose the selection criterion is: Demonstrated experience in managing privacy projects to improve compliance and risk awareness.
A strong STAR response might look like this:
- Situation: While working in a government agency, the applicant identified inconsistencies in how different business units interpreted and applied privacy requirements.
- Task: They were tasked with leading a project to create a single set of privacy guidelines that could be applied across the organisation to improve compliance and reduce risk.
- Action: They consulted legal teams, reviewed relevant legislation, and worked closely with business units to understand operational challenges. The applicant then developed clear, practical guidance documents tailored to different audiences, ensuring buy-in from key stakeholders.
- Result: The guidelines became the agency’s official privacy reference. They were adopted into training, led to measurable improvements in compliance, and are still used today.
This STAR example demonstrates several of the key capabilities expected of a privacy advisor: high-level organisational skills, a strong understanding of privacy law, effective stakeholder engagement, and successful project delivery.
When writing your own application, aim to build in real examples that show how you’ve delivered results in similar contexts. Focus on outcomes, and make sure the reader understands both the challenge you faced and the value you delivered.
How to Prepare for a Government Interview for an Advisor Privacy Role
NSW Government interviews are structured and capability-based, requiring candidates to demonstrate competencies through behavioral indicators. Preparing STAR-based responses for your interview can help you articulate your skills effectively.
Start by reviewing the focus capabilities for the Advisor Privacy role. Identify real-life examples that best align with these capabilities, such as examples that include privacy policy development, risk assessment, or stakeholder engagement. For each example, use the STAR Method to structure your narrative.
Practice delivering your STAR-based examples to ensure clarity and confidence during the interview. Consider responses to potential behavioural questions like:
- “Can you provide an example of a time you identified a privacy risk and how you addressed it?”
- “Describe a situation where you had to influence others to prioritise data privacy.”
- “How have you responded to a privacy breach in the past, and what was the outcome?”
Remember, the more you practice, the more naturally your responses will flow. For additional support, consider downloading the Government Interview Workbook or ordering custom interview questions to tailor your preparation further.
Get Your SafeWork NSW Advisor Privacy Application Ready
Now that you have a deeper understanding of the Advisor Privacy role and application process, it’s time to put your application together. Make sure to apply via I Work for NSW to officially submit your application.
- Read the role description carefully.
- Tailor examples using the STAR method for clarity and effectiveness.
- Start early to give yourself plenty of time, and don’t forget to proofread your work.
To get started with your cover letter, use our free cover letter template. I also offer expert feedback on draft cover letters, which includes unlimited revisions.
Getting insights from hiring managers before you apply can ensure you don’t miss any critical elements. Most applicants skip this step, so having a professional review can set you apart from the competition.
If you really want to make sure you get shortlisted for this role, take the extra steps to stand out from the crowd.
