- Competitive EL1 hourly rate
- Canberra based with flexible working arrangements
- Please call Laura Meyer for more information

Your new company

An exciting opportunity exists to join a high-profile government review program undertaking complex analysis and reporting on matters of national significance. Working within a multidisciplinary team of policy, regulatory and technical experts, you will play a key role in shaping evidence-based review outcomes and delivering high-quality reports for senior government audiences.

This is an initial 6-month contract commencing in August 2026, with a potential extension and flexible remote working arrangements available across Australia.

Your recent role

As the Lead Writer, you will take ownership of developing and refining key review outputs, ensuring reports are clear, coherent, evidence-based and publication-ready. You will work closely with subject matter experts and review leadership to synthesise complex information into compelling written products for executive and government audiences.

Key responsibilities include:

- Leading the preparation of review reports, findings, recommendations and executive summaries
- Synthesising evidence, stakeholder input and assessment findings from multiple workstreams
- Translating complex policy, regulatory, legal and technical material into accessible content
- Developing a consistent narrative and report structure across review outputs
- Identifying key themes, trends, risks and opportunities emerging from review activities
- Collaborating with review leaders, technical experts and stakeholders to ensure accuracy and quality

What you'll need to succeed

To be successful, you will demonstrate:





- Exceptional writing and editing skills with experience producing publishable reports, briefings, recommendations or similar products
- Strong experience synthesising complex information from multiple sources into clear, evidence-based written content
- Experience working with policy, regulatory, legal, governance or other complex subject matter
- Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
- Experience engaging with subject matter experts and translating technical information for broader audiences
- The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to tight deadlines
- Experience working within government, reviews, enquiries, evaluations, policy or regulatory environments

A sample of previous written work (report, briefing, submission, review or similar document) must be provided as part of your application.

Applicants must hold an Australian Government Baseline Security Clearance and be Australian citizens.

What you'll get in return

- Initial 6-month contract with extension potential
- Competitive EL1-equivalent hourly rate
- Flexible working arrangements
- Opportunity to contribute to a significant government review project
- Exposure to complex policy, governance and regulatory matters
- Collaborative and high-performing multidisciplinary team environment

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV and a sample of relevant written work, or call or email Laura Meyer on (02) 6112 7***, ***email_hidden***.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

📌 Senior Policy Writer (Canberra)
🏢 Hays Recruitment
📍 Canberra