Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: $113,022 - $136,747
Grade: VPS 5
Occupation: Policy
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/ECE/1903721
About the Department
The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.
The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.
About the Division
The Workforce Policy and Programs (WPP) Branch sits within Kindergarten Expansion, Fundign and Reform (KEFR) Division and leads on the implementation of key early childhood workforce strategy, projects and programs that support the implementation of the Best Start, Best Life reforms. The Branch has a particular focus on increasing early childhood teacher and educator supply and attraction. The work of the Branch is built on a strong foundation of collaboration with all relevant internal stakeholders and the key external stakeholders with whom we are partnering to successfully deliver these policies and programs.
About the Role
This Senior Policy Advisor role sits within the Workforce Strategy team.
The Workforce Strategy team is responsible for the development of the kindergarten workforce strategy, including research and analysis of attraction and retention challenges, and identification of short- and long-term opportunities for reform. The team also advises on intergovernmental relations and national activity relating to the early childhood education workforce. This role leads strategic policy projects at every stage of the policy cycle, including research, analysis and the development of policy options.
This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting contribution to a nation leading reform. Further, the leadership team in the Branch is committed to growing and supporting our staff and is a welcoming branch for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Interested individuals are warmly invited to contact Sarah Logan to confidentially discuss the role before the closing date. It is expected that the selection process, including interviews, will be undertaken in February 2026 and will be scheduled flexibly to respond to leave arrangements.
Attributes
The successful candidate will play a key role in contributing to the division's priorities by:
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Relevant university qualifications or experience in a related field. Direct experience in policy design and development is highly desirable for this role.
Further Information
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditio ns visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.
Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.
For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Sarah Logan, Director, Workforce Policy and Programs Branch via (03) 7022 2387 or [email protected].
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.
Applications close 11:59pm on Tuesday 27 January 2026.