The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Office of the Australian Consulate-General Shanghai is seeking applicants to fill the following locally engaged position:
- Consular and Passports Manager (LE5)
The above position is open to Chinese and Australian nationals.
The successful applicant will be offered an initial fixed term contract of 12 months with the possibility for extension and are subject to a probationary period.
The annual basic salary for this position is CNY 249,091.44 plus the employer’s social security contributions. Where the successful candidate is an Australian national, he/she will receive an allowance in lieu of the employer’s social security contributions. Australian Superannuation Guarantee Contribution (SGC) will be deducted from the allowance for an Australian tax resident.
Your application, written in English, addressed in the title ‘Consular and Passports Manager + your name’ must include:
- A one page pitch of no more than 600 words outlining how your skills, experience and qualifications make you the best person for the job;
- Curriculum vitae including your nationality and country of residency. If you are an Australian citizen in China, please advise your Chinese visa category.
- Contact details for two work-related referees (at least one should be your current or recent supervisor)
Applications and inquiries should be emailed to [email protected]. Closing date for applications is 5pm, 11 September 2026. Please consider your application unsuccessful if you have not received any contact within four weeks from the closing date.
What should I include in my pitch?
- Your one page pitch is a chance to tell us why you are the right person for the job. We want to know why you want to work at the Australian Consulate General, why you are interested in the role, what you can offer us, and how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications are applicable to the role. In a nutshell – why should we hire you?
- Try not to duplicate information that can already be found in your resume, but do highlight any specific examples or achievements that will demonstrate your ability to perform the role.
About The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves strengthening Australia’s security, enhancing Australia’s prosperity, delivering an effective and high-quality overseas aid program and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas. The department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government. DFAT also works with other Australian government agencies to drive coordination of Australia’s pursuit of global, regional and bilateral interests.
About the position
Under general direction, the Consular and Passports Manager is responsible for leading and managing the Consular and Passports Section of the Australian Consulate-General Shanghai. The Consular and Passports Manager provides high-level assistance and advice to senior management in coordinating and managing the provision of consular and passport services, and advice to Australian citizens living in and travelling to 16 municipalities/provinces/autonomous zones within China. The position proactively develops and maintains a wide range of contacts in government organisations, other foreign missions and within the private sector to support the provision of consular services. The position may undertake travel within the Consular District of the post.
Key responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:
- Manage the provision of consular and passport services to Australian citizens in accordance with Australian Government guidelines and legislation
- Interpret information and policy and provide high-level consular and passport support. Demonstrate judgement and provide timely advice and reporting to senior management
- Lead the Consular and Passports Section, including managing the team’s performance, setting priorities and ensuring key performance indicators are met
- Assist with the development and maintenance of the Crisis Action Plan (CAP), including regular testing, provide crisis preparedness advice to post management, and plan and manage consular support for major events with significant Australian attendance.
- Oversee the processing of applications for Australian travel documents, the provision of notarial acts and services and manage complex and high-profile consular cases involving the welfare, whereabouts, arrest/detention or death of Australians.
- Prepare and lodge government-to-government correspondence and ensure timely follow up and liaise with key host government stakeholders as directed
- Develop, strengthen and maintain strong relationships with a range of consular contacts and stakeholders including government organisations, diplomatic missions and service providers
- Liaise with DFAT Canberra and other Australian and local government agencies in relation to consular policy issues and undertake consular representational duties, including at meetings and conferences, and during prison visits.
Required Qualifications/Experience/Knowledge/Skills
- Appropriate tertiary qualifications and/or experience working in a similar role
- Sound knowledge, or the ability to quickly acquire an understanding, of the Australian Passports Act 2005, associated regulations and the Consular Services Charter
- Sound knowledge of local laws and customs, government agencies, local authorities and social services
- Capacity to interpret and apply legislation and policy, and exercise decision-making delegations
- Ability to lead a team, and work effectively with other team members
- Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English and Mandarin
- Demonstrated knowledge in the use and maintenance of computer-based information systems and databases, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications