Work for us

Work for us

The Organ and Tissue Authority is a small Commonwealth agency that works in close collaboration with the DonateLife network, states and territories, health clinicians and the community to achieve our purpose – to save and improve the lives of more Australians through organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

We are committed to building a positive culture and harnessing our diverse skills, experience and qualities to achieve our purpose.

Check out our APS employee census results and learn more about us by visiting About us.

Current vacancies

SES Band 1: Chief Operating Officer 

As a member of the Executive, you will work in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to drive the strategic direction of the agency and support the delivery of the national organ and tissue donation program.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) provides strategic leadership across a diverse and complex set of corporate functions contributing to effective agency leadership, management and governance, with significant responsibility to plan and manage agency resources and linking capability to business planning. The COO also has oversight of the analytics and technology functions that enable the OTA’s operational platforms to deliver improvements for the community.

The COO is accountable for creating and driving overall operational synergies across the OTA, ensuring cultural alignment and agency wide initiatives are developed and implemented. The role requires the ability to understand the strategic priorities of the agency, and provide timely and accurate advice to support the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and employees of the OTA. The COO is required to act for the CEO during periods of leave as required.

This role would suit an experienced and capable leader with experience in managing corporate functions, who enjoys multi-tasking and managing competing and changing priorities. This role includes a large variety of functions across a small agency and requires a willingness to contribute to both strategically leading the organisation, as well as the ability to work side by side with teams to achieve outcomes.

This vacancy has arisen due to our current COO leaving the organisation, and we look forward to welcoming someone new into the role.

How to apply

To apply for a position, please submit the following to recruitment@donatelife.gov.au:

  • A completed application cover sheet
  • A current copy of your CV
  • An application pitch which meets the ‘To Apply’ instructions within the position description.

Eligibility and security requirements

To be eligible for employment, applicants must be Australian citizens.

There are also restrictions on employing people who have accepted a redundancy benefit from an Australian public service (APS) agency or a non-APS Commonwealth employer within the previous 12 months. This includes any payment resulting from shortening a retention period or payment made to an SES employee under section 37 of the Public Service Act 1999.

All OTA staff must undergo a police check or a security clearance.

Successful applicants may be required to provide detailed personal information covering the past 10 years. This may include previous employment, previous addresses, financial information and other details such as overseas travel.

Related Downloads

People behind DonateLife

DonateLife employs passionate people who work tirelessly to increase organ and tissue donation rates so that more Australians can receive a life-saving transplant. Read these first-hand accounts to find out how DonateLife staff are making a difference. 

Luke Datson - OTA Clinical Lead

‘As a nurse, I’d found my little niche working behind the scenes on the logistical side of organ donation…and now as the Clinical Lead for OrganMatch, I find it rewarding to say that I’ve helped to move organ donation into the 21st century’

Sam Stone - Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinator

'I know firsthand that organ donation can change multiple lives. But I also know how rare this gift really is, and that’s why I want to share my story.'

Lucinda Barry - Chief Executive Officer

‘In the 15 years I spent specialising in emergency and major trauma nursing, I’ve probably talked with thousands of families who have lost a loved one. I have a real appreciation of just how difficult those conversations are for our staff, and you really can't take that experience away from what we do today’

Helen Opdam - National Medical Director

Over my time working in organ and tissue donation, I’ve seen incredible progress in the health outcomes for people on the transplant waitlist. However, I’m not planning on stopping here

Jodi - Donation Specialist Nurse

It is an absolute privilege to support these courageous parents and facilitate something so precious. They are giving hope, life, and love to another family, freely without expectation. To save another’s life is truly inspiring and remarkable. 

Mark Singzon - Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinator

When I speak with donor families through my work, I see a real need to start the conversation about organ donation before it’s too late. I always encourage others to tell their loved ones they have registered, because I know it's never easy for families to make a decision when the time comes. 

Trisha - Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinator

My passion for organ donation started when I was a child. My mum went through kidney failure and needed a transplant, so talking about the importance of organ donation was very normal in my household growing up.

Lee Wood - Program Director

I’ve seen a lot of change in my 20 years of working in this sector, such as an increase in community awareness of donation and many technological advances. My team and I constantly seek new opportunities to raise awareness and improve organ donation rates in the Northern Territory. 

Helen Szoke - Advisory Board Chair

‘I registered to be an organ and tissue donor probably 30 years ago, it just seemed like the right thing to do. But now, with the work I do as Chair of the OTA’s Advisory Board, I am privileged to see what this means on a whole other level’

Linda Thomas - Clinical Nurse Specialist

‘Many years ago now, I encountered my first infant death in a hospital setting. The child’s parents went on to consent to donation, and I ended up forming a special bond with them over the years.’ 

Diane Murphy - Family Support Coordinator and Bereavement Counsellor

‘It’s common for many people experiencing a significant death in the family for the first time to feel that their experience of grief is unusual, or that they're not grieving properly. I support families by helping to normalise these emotions, and I remind them that they aren’t alone.’

Kate Gray - Donation Specialist Nursing Coordinator and Education Coordinator

I’m often the first point of call for an urgent transplant listing or a referral for a potential donor in Tasmania. I’m also in my fifth year as an Education Coordinator, a role that shares knowledge and best practices in hospitals and the community.

Dr Sean Dicks - Clinical Psychologist, DonateLife Family Support Coordinator

Coordinating a letter exchange between donor families and transplant recipients is one of the ways that I see both sides start to heal.

We want all Australians to talk about organ and tissue donation. If you want to be a donor, make sure you tell your family and friends.

Registering is easy and only takes one minute. All you need is your phone, Medicare card and one minute to register.

It doesn’t matter how old you are, your medical history, your lifestyle, what country you’re from or how healthy you are — you can still register as an organ and tissue donor.

The Organ and Tissue Authority acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present.

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