Administrator of the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Administrator of Norfolk Island

Christmas Island, Norfolk Island

The Australian Government is inviting suitably qualified applicants to be considered for the following upcoming roles, with positions to commence in June 2026:

• Administrator of the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands (Indian Ocean Territories)
• Administrator of Norfolk Island.

About the roles

The Administrator of the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and the Administrator of Norfolk Island, are the principal Australian Government representatives residing in the Indian Ocean Territories and Norfolk Island. The appointments are made by the Governor-General of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Government, and approved through Cabinet and Federal Executive Council processes.

The Christmas Island Act 1958 (Cth), Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955 (Cth) and Norfolk Island Act 1979 (Cth), each provide the legislative basis for the governance of Australia’s external territories, and vest administrative powers in the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories (the Minister). The Administrator is the senior Australian Government representative on island, exercising powers and performing functions in accordance with any instructions given to them by the Minister and pursuant to applied laws and ordinances. Information on the legal frameworks are available here for Christmas Island and for Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and here for Norfolk Island.

Administrators are engaged full-time for a period of up to three years, living on island, supported by a small on island team and the Territories Division in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.

About the community

The Indian Ocean Territories and Norfolk Island communities are vibrant, proud, culturally diverse and steeped in tradition and history. Christmas Island is one of the world’s most ecologically abundant locations featuring national parks with unique flora and fauna, while the Cocos (Keeling) Islands offer stunning pristine coastlines and tropical reefs. Norfolk Island is known for its unique biodiversity and landscape, is sanctuary to some of the world’s rarest birds and boasts a World Heritage listed site.

The key duties of the position include:

As the senior Australian Government representative, your key role as an Administrator is to support, shape, implement and communicate government policies on behalf of the Minister, through advocacy, decision-making and delivering good governance, applying and upholding relevant legislation, regulations and policies. You will also represent the Australian Government in public, statutory, civic and ceremonial duties, including through public speaking and community engagement. You will:

• Proactively engage with the Minister, translating national priorities into meaningful action on island.
• Serve as the primary liaison between government and the islands’ communities, businesses, cultural groups and local councils, ensuring government policies and intentions are conveyed clearly and effectively.
• Act as the on island representative of the Australian Government, speaking at island events, hosting community forums and conducting public consultation processes.
• Ensure the Minister is kept informed on community issues, advising on local responses and fostering trust.
• Carry out formal and ceremonial duties, having a range of statutory powers and functions delegated by the Minister relating to the delivery of government services.

For the Administrator of the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, you also have executive responsibilities under Western Australian and Commonwealth legislation, exercising delegated authority in areas such as emergency management, health and the environment. You will also chair the Emergency Management Committees for both islands, the Christmas Island Economic Futures Working Group and the IOT Health Community Advisory Committee.

For the Administrator of Norfolk Island, you also have executive responsibilities under Queensland and Commonwealth applied laws and ordinances, exercising delegated authority in areas such as, but not limited to, emergency management, crown land, planning transactions, animal importations, policing, dangerous drugs, and liquor importation. You also represent the Australian Government on a number of committees including as Chair of the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area Advisory Committee on Norfolk Island, and Chair of the Norfolk Island Governance Committee established by the Australian Government to develop a new, bespoke local governance model for Norfolk Island.

Key responsibilities

Ministerial representation

• Serve as the face and voice of the Australian Government, delivering on ministerial instructions and government priorities across social, economic and cultural agendas, and fulfilling ceremonial duties.
• Demonstrate exemplary adherence to the APS values (impartial, committed to service, accountable, respectful, ethical and stewardship). 

Governance, statutory authority and frameworks

• Uphold powers and functions under the relevant ordinances, acting in accordance with the written direction from the Minister and handling delegated authorities responsibly.
• Proper use of government funds in line with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act).

Stakeholder engagement and communication

• Maintain strong relationships with local community groups and other stakeholders, advocating for Australian Government initiatives and speaking persuasively at public events and community consultations.
• Encourage and facilitate co-ordination between government agencies with an on island presence.
• For Norfolk Island specifically, provide clear leadership and communications with the Norfolk Island community as they transition to a new local governance model.

Who are we looking for

To be considered for either role, you will have previously held a senior executive or eminent position, where you demonstrated a commitment to the highest standards of governance and personal and professional integrity. As a representative of the Australian Government, you will also be able to demonstrate an ability to:

• Represent ministerial and Australian Government priorities in multi-stakeholder public and community settings.
• Uphold the role of the Australian Government with authority, cultural sensitivity, tact and discretion, appreciating the cultural, religious and administratively complex community environments and challenges faced by diverse regional and remote people, particularly by remote-island communities.
• Shape and deliver local outcomes and shared objectives through effective public sector leadership and political astuteness.
• Work closely with senior government officials and Ministers, performing public formal and ceremonial duties, and supporting crisis management responses.
• Apply expertise and judgement in interpreting, applying and navigating legislation and delegated governance frameworks.
• Utilise established capability in strategic leadership, public communications, building trust and advocacy within remote or culturally rich communities.

Tertiary qualifications in public policy or a relevant field and/or equivalent experience are desirable. 

Eligibility requirements

• Citizenship: Candidates must be an Australian citizen to be eligible for these roles.
• Police and background checks: Preferred applicants may be the subject of police record checks and background checks. 
• Health Assessment: The preferred applicant may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline.  You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information.  You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for all security clearances.  More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the  Australian Government Security Vetting Agency website.

The process

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts as the responsible portfolio agency for these Appointments, will oversee and conduct the appointments process.

To apply for one or both of the Administrator Appointment positions you will need to provide:

• An Expression of Interest (maximum 1000 words) demonstrating your professional experience relevant to the key duties of the role, and the Appointment(s) you are applying for.
• A copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV) of no more than 3 pages. 

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend an online panel interview and assessment and may be asked to undergo psychometric assessments.

Applications open: Thursday 25 September 2025
Applications close: Wednesday 15 October 2025
Shortlisted applicant interviews: Week commencing Monday 27 October 2025

Queries about the role and application process may be directed to Kim Forbes on 02 6136 8692.

The department acknowledges and supports the considered use of AI in preparing applications for this position, however, candidates must ensure that any responses are truthful and genuinely reflect their own skills, experience and capabilities for the role, which will be validated through the shortlisting, interview and assessment process. Applicants are also expected to disclose if AI tools have been used in the preparation of their submission if requested.