Application closing date: Monday, 16 March 2026 • 11:59pm, Canberra time
Estimated start date: Monday, 08 June 2026
Location of work: ACT
Working arrangements: Candidates must work on-site at the Departments Canberra office, 40 hours per week
Length of contract: 12 months
Contract extensions: 2x 12 months
Security clearance: Must have a current and active Negative Vetting Level 1
Rates: $80 - $100 per hour (inc. super)
At Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT), the Quality Assurance Section (QAS) provides quality assurance (test management) and transition to service (change & release) services.
QAS teams support the addition, modification or removal to the configuration of an ICT service or supporting infrastructure and processes. The team ensures adherence to the DFAT Change, Release and Deployment Management policy, process and procedures to support provision of reliable and consistent ICT services.
The test management team support quality assurance in delivery of ICT infrastructure, applications and associated projects through testing, governance, and engagement. The team plays a critical role in ensuring DFAT and Partner agency staff can utilise modern ICT infrastructure, applications and platforms securely by assessing the fitness for purpose and compliance to IMD entry/exit criterion.
Commercial Application Section (CFS) delivers ICT solutions on SaaS and PaaS cloud technology, such as Salesforce, for DFAT business areas and overseas posts; and provides ongoing business-as-usual support and sustainment for delivered solutions.
Information Management Section (IFM) leads the department's approach to managing information assets (information, data and records). We set information management policy, provide custodianship of physical records, and maintain the Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS). IFM also advises on managing information in digital platforms and systems to ensure compliance and integrity of departmental information.
Software Development Section (SOS) of the Business Solutions Branch within DFAT's Information Management and Technology Division requires labour-hire resources to perform test analysis and test automation activities for DFAT's on-premise bespoke applications. These roles will support the sustainment, operation, and ongoing reliability of key business applications and related services used across the Department.
The successful candidates is expected to plan and drive testing activities across all stages and iterations of product, systems and service development. They should provide authoritative advice and guidance on any aspect of test planning and execution. Adopts and adapts appropriate testing methods, automated tools and techniques to solve problems in tools and testing approaches. Measures and monitors applications of standards for testing. Assesses risks and takes preventative action. Identifies improvements and contributes to the development of organisational policies, standards, and guidelines for testing.
The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) has been used to inform the requirements. In summary, DFAT seeks a suitable candidate with the following relevant skillsets:
* Development and implementation - Systems development - Testing (TEST) - Level 5
* Strategy and architecture - Governance, risk and compliance - Quality assurance (QUAS) - Level 4
* Strategy and architecture - Advice and guidance - Methods and tools (METL) - Level 4
* Strategy and architecture - Advice and guidance - Specialist advice (TECH) - Level 5
* Relationships and engagement - Stakeholder management - Stakeholder relationship management (RLMT) - Level 4
* Business Process Testing - Acceptance Testing - Acceptance testing (BPTS) - Level 4
* User experience evaluation - User experience evaluation - User experience evaluation (USEV) - Level 3
Essential criteria
* ISTQB Foundation or higher certification.
* Minimum 8+ years of experience.
* Experience in testing Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) and Bespoke coded products.
* Experience using testing tools such as Azure DevOps for test planning, execution, and defect management.
* Demonstrate experience in leveraging appropriate resources and methods to deliver the QA function in a cost-effective manner and capability to update, maintain and articulate testing artefacts.
* Experience in testing of REST Services / SOAP web services and web applications. Minimum NV1 security clearance.
Desirable criteria
* Domain knowledge of DFAT systems and testing procedures.
* Experience in MOE, and infrastructure / hardware testing.
* Experience in low code / no code platforms such as Salesforce, Smart IQ, MS Power Apps.
* Experience in Cloud hosted applications and CI/CD pipelines as well as on premise hosted systems.
HOW TO APPLY
Please provide an updated CV (a maximum of 3-5 pages) to reflect your suitability to the role based on the job description. You will also need to complete responses to the essential and desirable criteria which is no more than 5000 characters for each response. Your application will be reviewed based on ability to demonstrate, or potential to develop, the capabilities required.
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