Overview

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time

Salary: $116,413 - $140,849

Grade: VPS 5

Occupation: Policy

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DE/ECE/1936149

An exciting opportunity exists for a high-performing and motivated individual to join the Early Childhood Strategy Division. As a Senior Advisor, you will play a key role in leading strategic projects and solving complex policy issues within a fast-paced and agile environment.

About the Department

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 Early Childhood Strategy Division is a small and influential strategic policy unit within the Early Childhood Group. We lead a wide range of complex and high profile strategic early childhood policy and reform projects, including:

- The department's regulatory policy function to support child safety and quality outcomes in the early childhood system,
- Analysing kindergarten funding settings and the impact of national funding arrangements,
- Undertaking strategic projects related to early childhood systems, markets and cohorts, and
- Connecting government systems across the Children's Portfolio.

Our work has a strong focus on increasing safety, quality and equity across the early education system. It plays a critical role in ensuring the ECEC system is working well to ensure the delivery of high-quality early childhood education and care for all children in Victoria.

About the Role

Your responsibilities will include:

- Managing strategic policy projects that deliver tangible results for early childhood policy,




- High-quality policy analysis and advice, including drafting briefings, slide packs and cabinet submissions for the department executive and the Minister for Children,
- Working with analysts and modellers to turn data insights into clear, authoritative advice, and
- Working with a range of stakeholders to gather information and diverse perspectives that inform policy development and form collective policy advice

The role involves strong collaboration within a high-performing team that is supportive, friendly and passionate about reform that improves outcomes for children and families. We strive to be a welcoming workplace for people from diverse backgrounds who reflect the many communities that education policy serves.

The role is available on a full-time basis, but flexible arrangements will be considered.

Attributes

To be successful in the role, you will have demonstrated experience and confidence in policy development, excellent written and verbal communication skills, conceptual and analytic thinking skills, stakeholder engagement experience, and flexibility and adaptability under fast timelines and changing priorities. You will demonstrate a collaborative, strengths-based approach, working constructively with colleagues and stakeholders across functions, and building strong relationships and networks to strengthen policy advice and outcomes.

The role does not have any people management responsibilities.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience





A background in policy and/or regulatory policy and/or governance will be helpful in this role, however, but is not required – candidates will be considered across their range of skills and experience.

How to apply

Please submit two documents:

- CV
- Cover Letter (max 2 pages) that summarises your suitability for the position

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 conditions 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 Raili Simojoki, A/Director, Strategy and Regulatory Policy at [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 Monday 3rd August.

Applications close Monday 3 August 2026 at 11.59pm

Posted

20 July 2026

📌 Senior Policy Advisor (Melbourne)
🏢 Department Of Education
📍 Melbourne