Overview

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time

Salary: $116,413 - $140,849

Grade: VPS 5

Occupation: Policy

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: 11158

About the Role

The Land Rights Reform team is within the Land Justice and Traditional Owner Rights division of FPSR in DPC. We are a small team of dedicated and passionate policy professionals who work collectively to develop policy and legislative reform that advances self-determination and land justice in Victoria.

The Senior Policy Officer will lead policy development projects within the Land Rights Reform team. You will thrive in a dynamic environment, provide informed policy and strategic advice, and champion self-determination by ensuring Aboriginal community voices are at the centre of policy design.

The Land Rights Reform team is responsible for:

- Enabling self-determination to support the advancement of Traditional Owner rights including by developing policy reform and providing advice to the Premier and Minister;
- Leading and coordinating reform of the Traditional Owner Settlement Act and Aboriginal Land Rights Acts and associated regulations and policies;
- Working in partnership with Traditional Owner Groups and Aboriginal organisations to ensure policy development is informed by Aboriginal community voices and aspirations; and
- Ensuring there is strong policy and strategic alignment between native title, the Traditional Owner Settlement Act, Aboriginal Land Rights Acts and Traditional Owner Treaties.

The First Peoples – State Relations Group is committed to employing Aboriginal staff and promoting Aboriginal leadership.

This is a designated position under section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

Key Selection Criteria –

- Policy Design and Development:



Interprets and applies policies relevant to own work; Drafts policies and business cases using research skills and in consultation with relevant stakeholders; Determines relevant data and evidence gathering approach; Conducts critical analysis on data and evidence collected.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Resolves issues through deep understanding or interpretation of existing guidelines. Where guidelines are not available, analyses ideas available and takes action through self, or in consultation with others to resolve problems. If required, determine additional information needed to make informed decisions. Applies critical thinking and problem-solving concepts in the right context.
- Communicate with impact: Prepares and delivers logical sequential and succinct presentations; Uses explicit and concise language; Uses media appropriate to the audience and presents information to develop the understanding of the topic.
- Working collaboratively: Build a supportive and cooperative team environment; Engages other teams to share information in order to understand or respond to issues; Support others in challenging situations.
- Stakeholder management: Identifies issues in common for one or more clients or stakeholders and uses them to build mutually beneficial partnerships; Identifies and responds to stakeholder’s underlying needs; Uses understanding of the stakeholder’s organisational context to ensure outcomes are achieved.

Technical expertise





- A demonstrated knowledge and understanding of native title, land rights, or equivalent processes and the broad issues affecting Victorian Traditional Owner groups.
- A demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with members of the Victorian Aboriginal Community including Victorian Traditional Owner groups and their representatives.

Desirable requirements

- A relevant tertiary qualification in Aboriginal Studies, arts, law, public policy, humanities or related field and/or equivalent relevant experience.
- Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal affairs policy, legislation and frameworks relevant to Victoria.
- Current driver’s licence.

For more information, please see the Position Description.

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

How to apply

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on Sunday 2 August 2026. All applications should include:

- a resume; and
- a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages).

Other relevant information

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing role is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Preferred applicants will be required to undertake pre-employment screening. DPC actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DPC can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.

Applications close Sunday 2 August 2026 at 11.59pm

Posted

10 July 2026

📌 Senior Policy Officer (Melbourne)
🏢 Department Of Premier And Cabinet
📍 Melbourne