About The Department

The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross‑sector collaboration. It plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight, and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, and directly provides school education and 50 new early learning centres.

About The Division

The Early Childhood Strategy Division is a small, influential strategic policy unit within the Early Childhood Group. It leads 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.
- Connecting government systems across the Children’s Portfolio.

Our work focuses on increasing safety, quality, and equity across the early educational system, ensuring the ECEC system delivers 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.




- Collaborating 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.

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

Attributes

To be successful, you must have:

- Proven experience and confidence in policy development.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong conceptual and analytic thinking skills.
- Experience engaging stakeholders.
- Flexibility and adaptability under quick‑changing timelines.
- A collaborative, strengths‑based approach, building 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, regulatory policy, or governance will be helpful but is not required – candidates will be considered across the range of their skills and experience.

EEO Statement

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. Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person. If you require adjustments, please email

Applications close

Applications close 11:59 pm on Monday 3rd August.

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