View Vacancy – AUS (Canberra) – Driver, S1

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)

Job Subcategory

Driver / Messenger

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British High Commission in Canberra is the HQ at the centre of our five-post Australia Network, which includes Consulate-Generals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.

You will be one of two drivers based at the High Commission in Canberra, supporting UK-Based diplomatic officers, Country Based Staff, and official visitors, including senior representatives and VIPs. You will need to be professional and reliable, calm under pressure, and able to assess situations quickly to prioritise the safety and security of your passengers. In addition to driving responsibilities, you will be expected to ensure the High Commission’s vehicles are well maintained and presented and support the smooth running of the British High Commission and the corporate services team, including through the purchase and collection of goods, handling of diplomatic mail, and logistical support.

The successful candidate will join a network of around 140 passionate and enthusiastic colleagues representing more than ten different UK Government functions and departments.

General driving and care of vehicles:

• Undertake driving responsibilities, including pick-up and drop-off of staff and visitors, collection and transport of goods, and any ad-hoc driving requirements. This will mostly be within Canberra but may include occasional journeys to other States. Maintain accurate journey logs for each trip.
• Ensure vehicles are always clean, presentable, and comfortable, including carrying bottled water.
• Ensure vehicles are serviceable: conduct daily check of tyre pressure, hydraulic fluid, oil, battery level and fuel. Identify and report any defects as early as possible and keep any potential risk to a minimum.
• Ensure vehicle maintenance, servicing, and insurance renewal as necessary. Maintain accurate records.

Administrative duties and logistical support:

• Keep detailed records and receipts for all expenses, including fuel, tolls, and servicing, and reconcile these promptly using the BHC’s expenses software. Seek quotes when required to support value for money. Prepare and manage claims to the ATO relating to fuel and other goods.
• Participate in logistical preparations for high-level visits, including recce visits, planning routes and driving schedules. Contribute to emergency preparedness and business continuity plans.
• Undertake ad-hoc duties to support Embassy objectives including managing diplomatic and other mail, sourcing goods or services, monitoring mailboxes and booking requests, and supporting event logistics, including set-up and break-down when required.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• You must already be entitled to live and work in Australia. We don’t sponsor visas.
• Valid driver’s licence and minimum 2 years professional driving experience.
• Broad knowledge of travel routes and road conditions throughout Canberra, ACT and NSW.
• Good verbal communication, customer-focussed approach, and time-management skills.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• First aid training/certificate
• Knowledge of routine car maintenance
• IT literate with experience of using Microsoft Office

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

Application deadline

31 December 2025

Grade

S1

Type of Position

Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal

Working hours per week

38

Region

Asia Pacific

Country/Territory

Australia

Location (City)

Canberra

Type of Post

British High Commission

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

AUD

Salary

AU$ 68,238 PA + 12% superannuation

Type of Salary

monthly

Start Date

23 February 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

Role does not directly manage staff, but there may be opportunities to take on voluntary roles within the Australian network that may include guiding others. There are also opportunities to learn some budget management skills, including forecasting expenditure on fuel and vehicle maintenance.

The Australia network offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including job-specific training and broader learning delivered through the FCDO’s International Academy. Some learning is mandatory and will mostly be delivered through on-line e-learning courses.

The successful applicant will be encouraged to take part in broader British High Commission initiatives and activities. Staff are supported to develop their own L&D plan tailored to their needs and interests. Some job-specific training is mandatory and will mostly be delivered through on-line e-learning courses.

Working Patterns:

Normal working hours for this position would be either 0730-1600 (inclusive of one hour lunch break) or 1030-1900 (inclusive of one hour lunch break). The successful candidate can expect to alternative between the two shifts on a weekly basis (ie early shift for one week, followed by the late shift). Specific shift times are subject to change according to operational needs. In addition, some flexibility is required to accommodate driving needs outside of these hours (eg to provide transport for evening or weekend events) for which overtime is payable.

Any other information (or specific local post requirements):

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British High Commission are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to Australia local employment law.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and building a culturally diverse workplace. We actively encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Our culture of inclusion is underpinned by our excellent staff networks which cover disability, faith and belief, gender equality, social mobility, age, race, LGBT+, and how to be an ally.

Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.

Additional information

This vacancy is advertised as a full-time, fixed term role of 12 months with possibility of extension.

Appointment is subject to an AFP records check and UK security clearance.

As part of the pre-employment requirements, the successful candidate must have the right to work in Australia. This includes Australian citizens/permanent residents and partners/ dependants of UK-based staff currently posted in Australia. Kindly send your proof of eligibility to work and reside in Australia to [email protected]. The successful applicant must also be capable of obtaining security clearance for the role, including satisfactory police and criminal record checks.

The British High Commission and Australia Network is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality, and challenge discrimination. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities where operational and security needs allow, although this role may require some flexible working to accommodate early morning or late evening engagements.

While based in Canberra, some travel may be required, including to drive staff between the British High Commission in Canberra and the British Consulate General in Sydney. Some occasional travel to other missions in the Australia Network is also possible.

The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.

Your application must be submitted before 23:55 AEST-Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC/ GMT +10) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”

Applications must include a current CV. Kindly omit any personal information such as name, birthdate, address and contact #.

All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.

Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.

Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.

Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and building a culturally diverse workplace. We actively encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Our culture of inclusion is underpinned by our excellent staff networks which cover disability, faith and belief, gender equality, social mobility, age, race, LGBT+, and how to be an ally.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.