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Chief Marine Engineer

Job Req ID

ABF - 140825

 

Location

ACT 

 

Employment Type

Ongoing (Permanent), Full-time 

 

Classification

Executive Level 2 - $136,260.00 and $177,318.00 plus 15.4% super (part time pro-rata)

 

Contact Officer

Suzanne Boag at suzanne.boag@abf.gov.au  

 

Office Arrangements

Onsite - Flexible working arrangements can be negotiated in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement and the operational requirements of the role.
 

Applications close on 11/01/2026 at 11:59pm AEDT (midnight) - Late applications will not be accepted.

 

About our opportunity

 

We have an exciting opportunity for a candidate who is technically qualified to apply their maritime experience in a role vital for securing Australia’s maritime borders. An Individual Flexibility Arrangement, in line with the Home Affairs Enterprise Agreement 2024-27,  on top of the salary package may be available and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account qualifications, skills and experience of the candidate.

 

This process is being used to fill 1 immediate position.  


Applicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy may be placed in a merit list or pool to fill similar vacancies for up to 18 months anywhere in ACT; NSW; NT; QLD; SA; TAS; VIC; WA.
 

About our team

 

Strategy & Capability | Civil Maritime Capability | Civil Maritime Sustainment | Fleet and Marine Engineering

 

The Australian Border Force (ABF) is an operational agency within the Home Affairs Portfolio. The ABF is responsible for operational activity that supports the Australian Government's border protection, investigations, compliance, detention and enforcement functions. 

Within the ABF, the Civil Maritime Capability (CMC) Division ensures the current and future management and sustainability of our civil maritime security capability. We plan, identify, evaluate, acquire and sustain the capability and operational infrastructure that enable Australia to fully protect sovereign jurisdiction and uphold our international obligations and treaty arrangements offshore.

 

The Civil Maritime Sustainment Branch (CMSB) provides, sustains and maintains air and marine surveillance capability in Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This includes operating a fleet of vessels crewed by ABF officers performing operational patrols, tactical surveillance and on water law enforcement activities within the EEZ, and managing contracted surveillance aircraft and satellite, sensor systems as well as provision of logistics support.

 

The CMSB operates in a complex, challenging and changing environment that is characterised by a continual high tempo of operations.

 

The section that will be led by the successful applicant ensures that engineering services and the fleet regulatory model establish sound engineering practices interfacing with the marine regulator, Class Societies and In Service Support providers. It also ensures that technical integrity is maintained and regulatory compliance is achieved in support of ABF operational priorities.

 

Please visit our website for more information about the Department of Home Affairs or Australian Border Force

 

Our ideal candidate

 

Our ideal candidate will have extensive experience providing technical and functional expertise and support in marine engineering services for the ongoing support of vessels. You will contribute to marine reliability and quality of services for the section, as well as lead and contribute to ensure the operational reliability of all ABF vessels.

 

The Chief Marine Engineer will have maritime experience. Ideal maritime experience will be as a sea going marine engineer (either Naval or Merchant Marine) or engineering management position at shipyard, ship repair yard, classification society surveyor, marine design.

 

Your extensive marine engineering knowledge and capability will enable you to support all ABF fleet vessels by contributing to forecasting, planning and scheduling, engineering policy and procedural requirements, projects, resolving engineering and design issues, updating corporate documents, implementing and relaying statutory regulations, marine protocols and marine notices to the fleet.

 

It is essential you have highly developed communication and interpersonal skills to cooperatively liaise with internal and external stakeholders. You must also contribute and be committed to a robust safety culture.

 

Duties and responsibilities

 

As the Chief Marine Engineer, you will;

 

  • Oversee the ABF technical regulatory endorsement process and assess and issue technical regulatory authority to the relevant ABF vessel marine engineering teams
  • Provide engineering support and advice to the Marine Safety & Capability team to ensure operational availability of the ABF fleet of vessels
  • Provide subject matter expertise and contribute to the development of completion of marine incident safety investigations or reviews
  • Provide critical subject matter expertise to ABF Executive as required for broader ABF projects including future capability procurement projects
  • Chair the Engineering Safety Board and contribute and lead to ensure the ABF safety culture is maintained
  • Assist in establishing engineering policies and procedures in line with business and strategic objectives of the Branch and contribute to fleet engineering in the compilation and assessment of Engineering Change Proposals, Requests for Deviation, Repair Plans and Engineering Reviews, ISM Code compliance audits, and represent the department at various forums when required.

 

The Chief Marine Engineer is responsible for managing the activities associated with the ABF's Chief Marine Engineer position, by providing high-quality engineering and technical services for all vessels in the ABF fleet. You will lead a team based across Australia to deliver a range of key outcomes including;

 

  • Manage regulatory models that govern engineering services and standards for the ABF fleet, to ensure alignment with Australian and international protocols where required
  • Perform the function of the Technical Regulatory Authority for ABF's marine capability
  • Contribute to the management of the Marine Safety Management System
  • Undertake strategic planning to best position ABF's current and future maritime operational maintenance support requirements
  • Provide technical advice on maritime assets, engineering qualifications, personnel, training and standards
  • Represent CMSB on matters related to maritime engineering matters at appropriate interagency, intergovernmental and industry meetings, committees and forums, negotiations and other activities with internal and external clients, stakeholders and contractors
  • Provide detailed, accurate and timely advice to management relating to marine engineering and policy and procedural matters, and deliver other reporting requirements as required.

 

Assist other areas of the Division in ensuring maritime activities are conducted consistent with:

 

  • The ABF's Vessel Management Plans
  • The Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011 and State Act (as they pertain to maritime and shore side operations)
  • Australian Public Service Equity and Diversity provisions
  • Chief Executive Instructions and other Divisional guidelines.

 

Additional information

 

Role Requirements

 

The Chief Marine Engineer oversees the Deputy Chief Marine Engineer and the Assistant Marine Engineer (as well as leading a large team spread across Australia) in maintaining the regulatory models for ABF, in monitoring and assessing sea-going engineer support, and in providing detailed advice to senior managers regarding marine engineering matters in the ABF. 

 

The Chief Engineer will be required to understand engineering and associated technical processes for the ABF fleet vessels, quality assurance methodologies, commercial management and have experience with risk management in a complex and changing environment.

 

Qualifications

 

Mandatory

 

  • The Chief Marine Engineer will be required to possess a degree in mechanical /or marine engineering or naval architecture that is recognised by the Institution of Engineers Australia and eligible for Chartered status, with a minimum of 10 years' experience at a senior level
  • Knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant Australian legislation and standards particularly the Navigation Act 2012, Marine Orders, STCW, MARPOL, and SOLAS
  • Possess or be able to obtain and maintain an NV1 security clearance and an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC).

 

Desirable

 

  • A high level of knowledge of Public Sector administrative processes and procedures, particularly those related to national statutory maritime and policy guidelines and ABF personnel management, would be well regarded.
  • Experience leading teams, including geographically dispersed and remote teams, is also desirable.

 

How to apply

 

Submit your application and CV through the Home Affairs’ recruitment system (ourPeople) before the closing date on 11/01/2026 at 11:59pm (midnight) AEDT  – Late applications will not be accepted.

 

As part of your application you will be required to prepare and submit a one-page applicant response document in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

 

  • How your skills, knowledge, and experience will be relevant to this role
  • Why you are interested in the role and what you can offer us
  • Any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role

 

 

Applicant response documents must be a minimum 11pt font in MSWord or PDF format, include your full name and the Requisition Number – 140825 in the document footer.

 

​​​​​​​Prior to preparing your response it is recommended you review the Work Level standards relevant to the classification you are applying to. It may also be useful to refer to the Integrated Leadership Systems information relevant to the classification.

 

Eligibility

 

To be eligible for the position you must be an Australian Citizen.

 

The successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1 (AGSVA) security clearance, and:
 

  • ABF Workers will also be required to obtain and maintain an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC).
  • Home Affairs Workers will also be required to obtain and maintain an Onboarding Check.
     

In certain circumstances, an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC) may be required in addition to, or in lieu of, an Onboarding Check, which will be determined by the delegate as necessary.  

 

Diversity and inclusion

 

The Department is committed to workforce diversity and applicants who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, come from a diverse cultural or linguistic background or have a disability are encouraged to apply.

 

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

 

Technical assistance

 

For technical enquiries please call or email for assistance:

 

 

Please include any applicable screen captures, a response will be provided during business hours.

 

Notes

 

The Department of Home Affairs offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position. The Australian Public Service (APS) Employee Value Proposition (EVP) highlights the top reasons our employees enjoy working in the APS.

 

The Department may provide relocation assistance to eligible APS employees required to relocate. The level of assistance will vary depending on the reason for relocating and your personal circumstances. For further information please enquire with the contact officer listed in the advertisement.

 

Information about employment and advice on how to apply for vacancies can be obtained from the Department’s website at https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/careers

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