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
* Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available
* $129,464 - $142,665 plus superannuation
About the role
The Senior Policy Officer coordinates, develops and communicates complex funding policy to support the NSW Government to negotiate and implement national funding agreements.
Your Responsibilities
* Preparing policy advise and briefings for executive decision makers
* Engaging with internal and external stakeholders on national policy matters
* Collaborating with finance teams to develop budgets and financial impact statements
For further information please click here to view the role description
The ECO Division leads the development and delivery of early childhood education and care (ECEC) policy and initiatives. We oversee investments in ECEC that develop children, and support families and communities. We are committed to driving educational and developmental outcomes for children attending all ECEC services, including long day care, preschool, outside school hours care, family day care and occasional care.
About you –
As a Senior Policy Officer you will be able to:
* Research, analyse and review complex funding policy questions, identify emerging issues, develop evidence-based options, and recommend solutions to resolve problems and mitigate risks.
* Synthesise and analyse quantitative and qualitative material and data to communicate to diverse audiences.
* Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, facilitating their engagement in, and contribution to, the identification and development of policy solutions and to inform funding policy decision making.
* Provide expert policy advice and information to facilitate the appropriate interpretation that supports Government's objectives.
* Mentor and guide policy officers and support staff, ensuring compliance with governance and quality requirements, to successfully deliver policy priorities and initiatives.
* Develop and effectively communicate advice to senior officers through the preparation of presentations, briefs, written reports, spreadsheets, and correspondence, that are accurate, informative, persuasive and of a high quality with great attention to detail.
* 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
* Hold or willing to obtain a Working With Children Check.
* Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.
* Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline such as policy, finance, economics, or demonstrated equivalent knowledge and/or experience.
Benefits
* Flexible working arrangements
* 35 hour working week
* Competitive, 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
* Engaged leadership and a supportive team
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.
You will also need to provide answers to the pre-screening question below as part of the application:
Targeted Question
Give an example of when you worked on a complex policy that involved funding considerations. How did you work through the implications for the funding considerations and/or any budget constraints?
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 8th December 2025 at 11:59pm.
For role enquiries please contact Valerie Gutenev at and for recruitment process enquiries please contact Kirsty Anic at
We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team ) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.
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.