Senior Policy Officer

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

• Ongoing Full-Time opportunity
• A talent pool will be created through this recruitment process to fill anticipated vacancies
• Located in Parramatta, offering flexible working arrangements with office presence for business requirements
• Salary ranges from $129,464 to $142,665 p.a. plus superannuation and annual leave loading

About the role

As Senior Policy Officer, you play a pivotal role in driving strategic education policy reform. Through research, analysis, review and stakeholder engagement, you will identify issues to develop practical, evidence-based solutions that shape school education policy for New South Wales. 

Your responsibilities:

• Provide strategic, evidence-based advice on educational policy to senior executives to support informed decision making
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholder to inform policy development, implementation and reform initiatives
• Undertake qualitive research and analyse data to identify emerging challenges and issues, develop evidence-based options, and recommend solutions that mitigate risks
• Provide guidance and build staff capability to support successful delivery of policy priorities and initiatives
• Prepare high-quality correspondence, written reports and briefs to support policy implementation and decision making

In this role your efforts will deliver positive impact in driving the department’s commitment to achieve high-quality and equitable educational system and improve outcomes for children.

For further information please click here to view the role description

About you

As a Senior Policy Officer, you are a strategic policy professional with demonstrated experience driving impactful policy and change. You bring a student-centred approach to policy development and implementation. Your recommendations are rigorous and supported by research and analysis.

You will bring:

• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with a proven ability to build strong relationships and respond to divergent viewpoints
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills to identify issues and interrelationships, and develop evidence-based policy solutions
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to use qualitive and quantitative data to inform strategic  advice and policy recommendations
• Ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders to ensure policy proposals are strategic, operationally sound and support the department’s objectives
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to develop clear and persuasive policy advice
• Experience working in a strategic policy role and in education is highly desirable

Key knowledge and experience

• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department’s Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Essential requirements of the role

• Appropriate tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent knowledge, policy skills and experience with demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Hold a valid clearance to work with children (Working with Children Check for paid employment).
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive pay, salary sacrificing, employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role, as well as your response to two pre-screening questions below:

Question 1:

Describe a time when you have undertaken detailed research and analysis to inform an important policy-related decision or project direction.  What approach did you take to gathering and assessing evidence? What was your recommendation and the outcome? (Max 350 words)

Question 2:

Provide an example where you have led or contributed to the development of a complex operational or strategic policy. Outline the role you played, the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. (Max 350 words)

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their application materials independently. The selection panel values authentic and personally written responses that reflect your own experience, insights and alignment with the Department’s values and priorities.

Please refer to the Applicant’s Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now’.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). Visit the website for more information.

Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa. 

Closing date 16 June 2026 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Bronwyn Ledgard at [email protected]  

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people of any age or gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and/or from the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, people with disability, people with sensory differences, and neurodiverse people. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please reach out to the contact person for this recruitment, details listed above. For more information, visit the NSW Department of Education’s Diversity, equity and inclusion webpage.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.