The Information and Privacy Officer at New South Wales Health sits within the Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA), part of the NSW Ministry of Health. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone seeking a new South Wales health job.
In this pivotal Government Job, you will manage right‑to‑information (GIPA Act) requests, lead privacy investigations under the PPIP and HRIP Acts, and advise clinical, legal, and executive stakeholders across NSW Health. The position is a Grade 7/8, offers a base salary of $110,266 – $122,058 plus super, and is based in a modern Sydney CBD office with flexible hybrid working, making it a sought-after new South Wales health job.
If you thrive on balancing transparency with confidentiality, guiding colleagues through complex legislation, and shaping a culture of privacy excellence, this role could be your springboard into a great role with NSW Health. Below you’ll find a complete guide including example cover letter to help your application stand out in the competitive world of Public Sector Recruitment.
If you’re new to public sector recruitment, check out this unofficial guide to NSW Public Sector recruitment for more insider tips and context.
Table of Contents
New South Wales Health Information And Privacy Officer Pay and Summary
| Position Title | Information and Privacy Officer (REQ563035) |
| Organisation / Entity | NSW Ministry of Health – Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) |
| Job Location | Sydney CBD, NSW |
| Work Type | Full‑time, ongoing (Hybrid Working) |
| Base Pay | $110,266 – $122,058 + super |
| Closing Date | 27 April 2025 – 11:59 pm |
About This NSW Health Job and the HCPA
The Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) supports 15 health professional councils across NSW, working to protect the public by regulating registered health practitioners and students. In partnership with the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC), HPCA participates in a co-regulatory system to manage complaints, ensuring that the most appropriate agency handles each case.
This new South Wales health job provides a unique chance to impact public health while ensuring compliance with existing regulations.
These councils are statutory bodies under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) 2009 and are responsible for regulating the conduct, health, and performance of registered practitioners to protect public safety. The HPCA and councils are required to manage personal and health information in line with NSW privacy laws, including the PPIP Act and HRIP Act.
While the HCCC takes a broader role in complaints management, health professional councils focus specifically on promoting safe professional practice, reducing risk, and safeguarding public safety. Councils have legal powers to act when a practitioner’s conduct or capacity raises concerns, including overseeing conditions placed on registration.
Importantly, the councils do not seek to punish practitioners—their role is purely protective. They also ensure that students enrolled in approved health programs are fit for clinical contact, maintaining the integrity and safety of care across NSW.
As Information and Privacy Officer you’ll manage the end‑to‑end Right to Information program, determine access decisions under the GIPA Act, and act as the designated Privacy Officer for the agency. You’ll also drive privacy education, maintain compliance records, and prepare statutory reports—work that directly reinforces public confidence in NSW Health Jobs and services.
Challenges for an Information and Privacy Officer
Expect high volumes of diverse GIPA requests (commonly referred to as FOI, or Freedom Of Information requests), strict statutory deadlines, and the need to juggle sensitive health information, subpoenas, and public interest considerations.
You’ll need to guide clinical and legal staff unfamiliar with complex privacy legislation, all while operating in a Hybrid Working environment where collaboration happens both online and in person.
Why This Job Is A Great Opportunity in NSW Health
I really like this full-time ongoing government job because it provides an excellent opportunity for someone with similar experience in the private sector to transition into the health sector—without needing deep, technical knowledge of the health system. It’s also a great fit for applicants from other government agencies, including those in the Australian Public Service (APS), looking to bring their skills into a dynamic environment and start their NSW Health career.
If you land this job, you won’t get an annual bonus—but you will gain job security, genuine work-life balance, and a range of public sector perks, including:
- Hybrid working – up to two days from home each week
- Flex leave in addition to annual leave and range of other leave options
- Access to LinkedIn Learning and other professional development tools
- Modern Sydney CBD office – complete with a rooftop garden, yoga classes, bike storage, and end-of-trip facilities
- Real impact – shape privacy and information governance across HPCA and the wider NSW Ministry of Health
If you perform well in this recruitment but don’t receive a job offer, you might still be placed in the talent pool. What does that mean? It means you’ve been assessed as a suitable candidate for similar Clerk Grade 7/8 roles and can be considered for vacancies that arise over the next 18 months—without needing to reapply.
Want to boost your chances of turning a talent pool placement into an actual job? Read my tips here on making the most of a talent pool opportunity.
Application Requirements for an Information and Privacy Officer
NSW Health Job Application Process
To apply for this New South Wales Health Job, you need to know how to apply for government jobs.
First, you need to check out the full job ad, including the role description. This will tell you a lot of valuable information about the role, and what the hiring manager is looking for in potential candidates.
For this NSW Health role as Information and Privacy Officer, you will need to:
- Provide a copy of your resume; and
- A statement in responses two targeted questions below (one page max)
You’re not required to submit a cover letter—but it’s highly recommended. For a competitive role like Information and Privacy Officer, a well-crafted one page cover letter is your chance to stand out. It allows you to express your enthusiasm for the position, highlight your understanding of privacy and right-to-information responsibilities, and explain how your skills and experience make you a strong fit. It also shows the panel that you’re serious about the opportunity and committed to contributing to the work of the HPCA and NSW Health.
NSW Health Targeted Questions
For this job, the focus of the government hiring manager will be on how well you respond to these two targeted questions:
Target Question 1: What attracts you to the role and what key skills and experience would you bring?
Target Question 2: In this role you will work with different teams when responding to requests for information. What is your approach to encouraging collaboration with your colleagues? Please give an example of when you applied this.
I recommend that you type these up in a word document and attach to your application.
Essential Role Requirements
In your cover letter you should highlight how you meet these requirements:
- Tertiary qualification in law or related discipline or substantial experience managing privacy and information release in a medium/large organisation.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the GIPA Act, Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998, and Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002.
Need help? Download a free public sector cover‑letter template and consider a professional review—cover‑letter reviews are only $29 and are the easiest way to significantly improve your application’s success. Cover letter reviews for this role will include a full review of your cover letter AND your responses to the targeted questions.
New South Wales Health Job Application Checklist
| Your NSW Health Job Application Checklist | |
|---|---|
| ✅ | Download free cover‑letter template to kick start a quick, effective one page cover letter – this will help you stand out! |
| ✅ | Draft one‑page response to both Target Questions (STAR format) |
| ✅ | Get your cover letter & responses to targeted questions reviewed by a government hiring manager |
| ✅ | Submit your application via iworkfornsw before 11:59 pm, 27 April 2025 |
New South Wales Health Job Example Candidate
Fabio is a Privacy Advisor with over six years’ experience in privacy compliance across the telecommunications and insurance sectors. In his current role at Telcor Group, he manages internal privacy complaints, leads Privacy Impact Assessments, and advises on data breaches—ensuring compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and internal governance frameworks.
Previously at Veritas Insurance, Fabio helped roll out a group-wide privacy management plan and developed staff training to embed privacy-by-design principles. He’s now looking to bring his expertise to start a NSW Health Career, where he can contribute to public safety and support stronger privacy practices in a values-driven environment.
Example Cover Letter For New South Wales Health Job – Information and Privacy Officer
Click here to download a free public sector cover letter template
Dear Selection Panel,
I am writing to express my interest in the Information and Privacy Officer position with the Health Professional Councils Authority. With over six years’ experience advising on privacy compliance within large, regulated organisations, I bring a strong foundation in privacy legislation, information governance, and stakeholder collaboration.
In my current role at Telcor Group, I manage privacy complaints, conduct Privacy Impact Assessments, and lead responses to data breaches—all within the framework of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Telcor’s internal compliance programs. I also hold a Bachelor of Laws, which complements my practical experience by equipping me with a sound understanding of statutory interpretation and regulatory frameworks.
I have led the development and delivery of internal training sessions on privacy obligations and information handling, reaching over 300 staff across legal, operations, and customer service teams. I tailored content to different business areas, ensuring practical understanding of privacy principles, data breach protocols, and individual responsibilities. This initiative significantly improved staff confidence in managing personal information and contributed to a measurable reduction in privacy-related incidents.
I have conducted numerous investigations into potential privacy breaches, including incidents involving unauthorised access and mishandling of customer data. In each case, I gathered evidence, interviewed staff, and delivered clear findings with actionable recommendations to senior leadership. These investigations not only resolved immediate risks but also led to improvements in internal processes, reducing repeat incidents and supporting a culture of accountability.
In addition, I have developed and maintained internal resources, including quick-reference guides, breach response templates, and privacy FAQs, to support staff handling sensitive information. I also contributed to the preparation of quarterly privacy compliance reports and annual summaries of GIPA-equivalent data requests for internal governance review. These efforts ensured transparency, consistency in reporting, and alignment with legal obligations.
I am excited by the opportunity to apply my skills in a public sector context, particularly in a role focused on protecting health information and supporting public safety.
I have attached my responses to the targeted questions.
Thank you for considering my application.
Kind regards,
Fabio
Responses To NSW Health Target Questions
Target Question 1: What attracts you to the role and what key skills and experience would you bring?
I’m attracted to this role because it aligns closely with my values and the type of work I find most meaningful—protecting sensitive information, ensuring transparency, and helping people navigate complex privacy obligations. After over six years working in privacy and compliance roles across large private-sector organisations, I’m eager to contribute my expertise in a public health context where the stakes are high and the purpose is clear. I bring a combination of legal knowledge and practical experience in managing privacy risks, handling information access requests, and advising internal stakeholders on how to comply with privacy legislation.
I hold a Bachelor of Laws and currently work as a Privacy Advisor at Telcor Group, a national telecommunications provider. In this role, I lead investigations into privacy complaints and data breaches, conduct Privacy Impact Assessments, deliver staff training, and maintain internal privacy resources to support compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). I’ve also contributed to organisation-wide privacy reviews and supported quarterly reporting to senior leadership. My work has given me a solid foundation in privacy law and a track record of making complex requirements more accessible and actionable for staff—skills I know would be valuable at HPCA.
Target Question 2: In this role you will work with different teams when responding to requests for information. What is your approach to encouraging collaboration with your colleagues? Please give an example of when you applied this.
Working effectively with others is a core part of responding to information requests, and I approach collaboration by making it easy for people to contribute and feel ownership of the outcome.
A clear example of this was when I led our internal response to a high-stakes customer information request involving multiple departments. The request included emails, call transcripts, and internal notes—spanning systems managed by Legal, IT, and Customer Service. Timeframes were tight and the information was sensitive, so I needed to coordinate inputs while maintaining accuracy and compliance. I began by mapping out who owned each part of the data, then brought everyone together for a short briefing to clarify expectations.
I set up a shared folder with a simple checklist and offered guidance on how to assess relevance and redact personal identifiers. I also made myself available to resolve questions quickly, helping avoid bottlenecks. As a result, we delivered the information on time, fully compliant, and with minimal rework.
The collaborative process not only helped us meet the deadline—it also built stronger working relationships across teams. I’ve found that the keys to successful collaboration are clarity, respect, and responsiveness—qualities I would bring to this role when working with stakeholders across NSW Health.
Explain the STAR Technique
The STAR technique—Situation, Task, Action, Result—is the gold standard for demonstrating capability in NSW Public Sector recruitment. It forces clarity and focuses the panel on what you personally achieved. In the Target Question responses above, each story is structured in the STAR format:
- Situation – set the context briefly.
- Task – outline your responsibility or objective.
- Action – explain exactly what you did, highlighting skills relevant to the role.
- Result – quantify outcomes where possible; link back to organisational goals.
How to Prepare for New South Wales Health Job Interviews
If this is your first public sector interview, it’s important to know that it will be quite different from interviews you may have experienced in the private sector.
You’ll need to come prepared—with clear, well-structured answers that directly align with what the panel is looking for.
The good news? You absolutely can do this. Here’s how I recommend you approach it:
- Review the Focus Capabilities – Open the role description and identify the specific capabilities and behaviours the panel will assess. These are your roadmap.
- Brainstorm Strong Examples – For each capability, think of real situations where you demonstrated that skill—whether it was managing competing deadlines, navigating a privacy breach, or collaborating across teams.
- Match to Behavioural Indicators – Align each example to the language and intent of the indicators listed in the capability framework.
- Use the STAR Method – Structure each response with Situation, Task, Action, and Result to keep your answers focused, clear, and impactful.
- Practise and Prepare Notes – If notes are allowed, bring bullet points to jog your memory. If not, rehearse out loud so your stories are sharp and easy to recall under pressure.
Here are three likely interview questions for this role:
- Describe a time you balanced public transparency with privacy obligations under the GIPA Act.
- How do you build relationships with clinicians and legal teams when investigating potential privacy breaches?
- Give an example of a policy or process you improved to enhance information governance.
For this position, you’ll need to prepare answers that demonstrate capability at both the Intermediate and Adept levels of the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework.
To make that easier, you can download the Public Sector Interview Questions & Answers Workbooks—it includes example questions and full STAR-based answers at both levels.
Get Ready To Apply For Your New Job In NSW Health
Remember to include a quick, effective cover letter to make sure you get noticed. Not all candidates will do this, so it can really make a difference.
You can click here to start your government cover letter quickly with a free template.
Before you submit, get your cover letter professionally reviewed for only $29. This includes a review of your responses to the targeted questions, and might just be the difference you need to start your NSW Health Career!
