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/DH/MHW/723782

The Department of Health plays a critical role in the Victorian health system and is responsible for shaping it to meet the health needs of all Victorians. We’re focused on
supporting Victorians to be as healthy as they can; whether through alerting them to seasonal risks like thunderstorm asthma, notifying them of contact with
communicable diseases, safeguarding their drinking water, developing the best health, wellbeing and care facilities in the world, being at the forefront of mental health and
wellbeing treatment or accelerating medical research. It’s all part of the way we partner with the community to help every individual lead a healthy life.

About the role:

The Senior Policy Adviser in the Legal Policy team provides advice and support across key legislative reform projects in the mental health and wellbeing portfolios. The role requires the ability to develop high quality proposals and recommendations for the consideration of senior executives and Ministers.

The role involves developing effective relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders and a range of program and policy areas across the division.

The role requires specialist skills in consulting on complex legislative reforms, preparing legislation Cabinet submissions, and instructing Parliamentary Counsel and supporting Ministers through the Parliamentary legislation process.

The Legal Policy team — which was responsible for developing, and supporting the passage of, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 — also works on key legislative reform project components across the mental health and wellbeing and Alcohol and Other Drug portfolios, and develops proposals and recommendations for the consideration of senior executives and ministers.

About us:

At the Victorian Department of Health we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive,



our workplaces are productive and safe, and our communities are more connected.

We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe. And to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access protected, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all.

About you:

Can you demonstrate the following?

- Provides advice on mental health and wellbeing, alcohol and other drug, and other related legal and legislative reform matters
- Provides advice on a range of departmental and broader government law reform initiatives relating to mental health and wellbeing and alcohol and other drug issues
- Provide high quality policy advice, options and recommendations to senior management and government based on comprehensive research and analysis.
- Monitor and report on high priority issues, risks and trends and prepare and present reports, ministerial briefs, and Cabinet submissions.
- Coordinate and develop complex briefing products for Cabinet, Ministerial, senior departmental executive and executive sector stakeholders.
- Manage key unit projects to include setting up, monitoring and managing contracts with external providers to ensure high quality outputs are delivered within agreed timeframes and budget and results can inform policy development.

Qualifications / Specialist Expertise

- A tertiary qualification in law or legal policy would be advantageous.
- The role requires specialist skills in consulting on complex legislative reforms, preparing legislation Cabinet submissions, and instructing Parliamentary Counsel and supporting Ministers through the Parliamentary legislation process.
- Experience,



knowledge and understanding of the current mental health and wellbeing reforms would be beneficial.

What we offer:

- The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enabling Victorians to be the healthiest people in the world.
- A wide range of growth and development opportunities within the department and wider Victorian Public Service.
- A strong commitment to work-life balance, including a diverse array of flexible working arrangements.

How to apply:

Applications should include a resume and a cover letter. Click the ‘Apply' button to view further information about the role including key contact details and the advertisement closing date.

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated to provide responsive and quality services to all Victorians. We continue to build an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of all Victorians. All roles can be worked flexibly and we encourage applications from Aboriginal people, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Please contact us if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process at [email protected]. For more information on our commitment to inclusion and diversity see inclusion and diversity at the Department of Health.

If you have any queries in relation to participation in recruitment processes at Health, or experience any issues in applying, please feel free to email [email protected]. Please note that unsolicited applications from third parties cannot be accepted. If you have questions regarding the role, please message the contact person listed on the advertisement directly.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and other pre-employment checks. Information provided will be treated in line with our Privacy Policy.

Applications close Monday 17 August 2026 at 11.59pm

Posted

3 August 2026

📌 Senior Policy Adviser, Legal Policy (Melbourne)
🏢 Department Of Health
📍 Melbourne