The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions is focused on growing Victoria’s prosperity, building the productive capacity of our economy and increasing participation – by creating more opportunities for people through skills and jobs; helping businesses and industries to thrive; and building vibrant communities and regions. For more information, see the DJSIR Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
Our work spans numerous portfolios, supporting departmental ministers and operating across metropolitan, regional and international offices.
The Department welcomes and encourages applications from diverse applicants, including First Peoples, refugees or asylum seekers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ people and people with disability. All roles at DJSIR can be worked flexibly and we offer reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities.
Senior Policy Officer
- Salary: $113,022 to $136,747 (Plus superannuation)
- Fixed Term position for 12 months
- Usual hours of work: Full time
- Usual work location: 289 Wellington Parade South, East Melbourne VIC 3002
The Role
The Senior Policy Officer plays a key role in the delivery of the annual Victorian Skills Plan and the broader work program of the Skills Strategy and Insights Team.
The Senior Policy Officer:
- provides authoritative and evidence-based policy analysis and advice on workforce and skills planning in Victoria, for example to support the rapid growth in digitation, AI and data centres
- drafts sections of the Victorian Skills Plan and associated products
- prepares and presents complex reports, insights products, ministerial briefs and cabinet and agency submissions on policy matters
- proactively collaborates and manages highly effective working relationships with stakeholders to identify and leverage opportunities to benefit the Team's work program
- supports stakeholder engagement, project management and procurement activities as required.
To succeed in this role, you must be able to work in a fast-paced environment; adapt quickly to changing circumstances; and work well with Executives and team members with diverse skills and experience..
Main accountabilities:
- Undertake complex analysis and provide high-quality and authoritative policy advice on workforce planning in Victoria, for example to support the rapidly growing data centre sector.
- Draft sections of the Victorian Skills Plan and associated products, and integrate social, economic, and regulatory insights to develop recommendations for skills planning in Victoria
- Prepare and present reports, insights products, ministerial briefs, cabinet and agency submissions on policy matters.
- Maintain an understanding of Commonwealth and State policy reform directions in the Vocational Education and Training sector to inform development of the Victorian Skills Plan and broader work program.
- Proactively collaborate and manage highly effective working relationships with stakeholders to identify and leverage opportunities to benefit the Team's work program.
- Support the program of stakeholder consultation for the annual Victorian Skills Plan as well as other project-related activities such as project management and procurement.
- Conduct policy and data analysis and research that supports strategic and operational decision-making across the VSA.
- Contribute to a supportive and high-performing team culture and support colleagues and managers and the wider VSA team.
- Support the work of the VSA as required.
The Team
The position of Senior Policy Officer forms part of the Analysis and Insights Branch, which sits within Victorian Skills Authority.
The Victorian Skills Authority (VSA) provides evidence-based planning and solutions to meet current and future skills needs in Victoria. We are an administrative office led by a chief executive officer and supported by an advisory board of key stakeholders.
We report directly to the Minister for Skills and TAFE and work closely with the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery and the Skills and TAFE Group within DJSIR.
Our role is to gather and analyse industry data, identify where there are current and emerging skills shortages in Victoria's workforce, work with stakeholders to develop strategies to fill these gaps and drive engagement, collaboration and innovation across Victoria's skills system.
The VSA has three branches – Analysis and Insights Branch, Engagement and Skills Reform Branch, and Service Branch. Four units sit alongside the three branches – Clean Economy Unit, Corporate Services
Unit, Future Skills Unit and the Office of the CEO and Deputy CEO.
Find out more about the VSA at skills.authority.vic.gov.au
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have the following main skills and experience:
Policy design and development: provide leadership in research and analysis and develop policy options/proposals; communicate public policy options and recommendations; and scan for links and potential implications of proposed policy options.
- Specialist Expertise in Research, Analysis & Evaluation: conduct research, data analysis and evaluation to inform policy development and decision making; translate complex, data-rich findings into clear, strategic messages and recommendations aligned with organisational priorities and tailored to diverse stakeholder needs; have experience in data analysis using analytical tools.
- Written Communication: have strong written communication skills; prepare complex briefs, letters, emails, and reports using clear, concise, and grammatically correct language; edit written communications to ensure they contain the information necessary to achieve their purpose and meet audience needs; ensure appropriate style and formats are used; translate technical information into easily readable material for Senior Executives and non-technical audience.
- Critical thinking and problem solving: account for wider system context when considering options to resolve issues; anticipate potential problems and pre-empt required actions; continually liaise with key stakeholders to ensure full understanding of the issues; evaluate implemented courses of action and make adjustments as required.
- Stakeholder management: Identify issues in common for one or more stakeholders and use this to build mutually beneficial partnerships; identify and respond to stakeholder's underlying needs; use understanding of the stakeholder's organisational context to ensure outcomes are achieved and find innovative solutions to resolve stakeholder issues.
Further Information
For a confidential discussion, please contact Erwin Lagura, Manager Skills Strategy and Insights on (03) 7022 2369 or [email protected]
The Department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.
Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. To be eligible for this position you must hold the mandatory qualification as outlined in the position description. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.
For Finance Roles:
The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry, and Regions is an accredited CPA Australia Recognised Employer Partner.
Please note: We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Talent Acquisition Team on 0472 875 685, or via email at [email protected] with the position number in the subject line.
How to Apply
Please click the ‘Apply Now' button. As part of the application process, y
ou will need to provide a copy of your resume and respond to the key selection criteria as outlined in the position description.
Applications close at 23:59pm on Sunday, 12 April 2026.