HR Advisor - Affirmative Measures

Job no: 493864
Work type: Full Time / Part Time
Location: Head Office, Canberra
Classification: DHA Level 5

About us

DHA was established in 1988 following passage of the Defence Housing Australia Act 1987 (DHA Act) to provide adequate and suitable housing for, and housing related services to, members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and their families. We remain committed to our purpose of providing housing, and housing related services, to ADF members and their families to support Defence’s operational needs.  

DHA manages an expanding portfolio of housing solutions and provides housing for over 17,200 ADF members and their families and administers rent allowance for more than 16,000 ADF members and their families in private rental accommodation. DHA provides housing related services advising on eligibility, providing posting support, and managing bookings and allocation services for all DHA provisioned housing and on-base accommodation to approximately 60,000 ADF members. 

To find out more about DHA, please refer to our website or read our latest Annual Report.

About your team

The Human Resources branch is responsible for delivering high-quality human resource outcomes across DHA from strategy and policy development through implementation and service delivery. We work in partnership with stakeholders across the organisation to:

• Develop and implement initiatives to build a positive and inclusive workplace culture that values the diversity of our people and promotes high performance and engagement.
• Deliver HR services in the end-to-end employee lifecycle, including recruitment, remuneration and conditions, case management, and general employment matters.
• Support DHA to have the right capabilities now and into the future, through workforce planning, learning and development, and performance management strategies and frameworks.

About the role

The HR Advisor supports strategically focused initiatives within DHA’s HR Strategy Team, responsible for fostering a positive workplace culture, enhancing employee engagement, promoting diversity and inclusion, and strengthening talent management. The work environment is dynamic, with numerous projects and activities undertaken at the same time.

Note: the filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the 'Racial Discrimination Act 1975'. This vacancy is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait people. This initiative/program is only applicable where the successful applicant will be employed under the Public Service Act 1999. Similar conditions may apply when employed under other Acts. For clarification, please contact the advertising agency.

Candidates applying under the affirmative measure provision must provide confirmation of their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage. Please see Candidate Information Pack for further details on Confirmation of Heritage provisions.

This is a Non-ongoing Engagement for a period of up to 12 months with possibility of extension or permanency.

Benefits for working at DHA include:

• Affinity Groups - DHA is creating a work environment where everyone feels free to bring their whole self to work – where everyone feels they belong and can collaborate, innovate, and celebrate their differences. We are proud to have staff led affinity groups who represent and foster a diverse and inclusive workplace by building social connections between employees, being the voice for change and contributing towards the development of programs and initiatives. This includes Pride@DHA, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, Disability and Gender Diversity in Leadership.
• Cultural, ceremonial and NAIDOC leave – Under our Enterprise Agreement, First Nation employees may access cultural, leave to participate in significant activities associated with their culture or to fulfil ceremonial obligations.

• Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) - DHA is committed to reconciliation, building relationships with First Nation employees and stakeholders and creating the foundations that will help to produce future actions and initiatives that are meaningful, mutually beneficial, and sustainable. Our Innovate RAP aims to ensure that we embedded our commitments into our organisation and help us grow on our reconciliation journey.

• 15.4% superannuation
• Generous leave entitlements, including 18 days personal leave and 20 days annual leave per year
• Work-life balance and flexible working options
• A positive workplace culture where you can bring your whole self to work
• Opportunities to broaden your industry knowledge and experience
• Career progression and opportunities
• A dedicated Employee Assistance Program for you and your family to access in times of need
• ADF partner employment conditions when posting to a new location

For information on DHA’s Employee Value Proposition, visit our website.

How to apply 

To apply, click the Apply Now button below with your current resume and a 500-word pitch, addressing the requirements of the role.

For more information about the role, click View Candidate Information Pack button below.  

Applications close: 11:55pm AEST 06 April 2026. Any questions?

Please contact the Recruitment Team T: 02 6270 6060 E: humanresources@dha.gov.au     

Order of Merit

A merit pool will be established from this process which will be valid for 18 months from the date of advertising. This merit pool may be used throughout this period to fill similar positions in the event positions become vacant.

Diversity and Inclusion

DHA is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from across our community including, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTIQ+, ex-defence members, mature aged employees and carers.

Affirmative Measures – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 

This vacancy is advertised as an affirmative measure meaning it is only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. DHA is committed to increasing employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the APS, to better reflect the diversity of the Australian community. For  more information visit: Affirmative measure for recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

Use of this measure is consistent with the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and our human rights obligations, including those set out in international conventions.

RecruitAbility 

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

Eligibility 

Employment with DHA is conditional on successful applicants demonstrating that they are an Australian citizen and can obtain and maintain a security clearance at the required level.

View Candidate Pack