Senior Adviser: Advocacy and Government Relations

Universities Australia is the national voice of Australia’s 38 universities. What we say, and do not say, carries weight for a sector that shapes the country.

We argue the sector’s case to government, to the parliament and to the public. We put whole‑of‑sector positions on the table, run campaigns on the issues that matter, and make sure the national conversation about higher education is better informed for our being in it.

ABOUT UNIVERSITIES AUSTRALIA

Universities Australia is the national voice of Australia’s 38 universities. What we say, and do not say, carries weight for a sector that shapes the country.

We argue the sector’s case to government, to the parliament and to the public. We put whole‑of‑sector positions on the table, run campaigns on the issues that matter, and make sure the national conversation about higher education is better informed for our being in it.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Senior Adviser: Advocacy and Government Relations supports UA’s engagement with government, parliament and members and helps turn organisational priorities into effective advocacy. Reporting to the Head of Advocacy and Government Relations, the role provides high-quality writing, coordination, political and parliamentary intelligence and practical support across UA’s advocacy program.

This is an execution-focused role. You will help ensure submissions are planned early and delivered well, advocacy materials are clear and persuasive, members have the information they need,

government engagement is properly prepared and followed through, and the organisation maintains

a strong picture of what is happening across parliament and government.





You will work closely with the Policy and Strategic Communications teams to turn UA’s policy positions into effective advocacy. Policy colleagues will lead the development of substantive policy positions; this role will help translate them into clear, persuasive products and activity that are politically relevant and designed to influence decision-makers.

That means being comfortable moving between drafting a parliamentary brief, coordinating member input, preparing a meeting pack, checking a committee timetable, chasing actions from a stakeholder meeting and helping deliver a major advocacy moment. This is a hands-on role, with a strong expectation that you take ownership of the detail and do what is needed to keep the work moving.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Advocacy and government relations

- Support the Head of Advocacy and Government Relations to deliver UA’s advocacy and government relations priorities.

Parliamentary and political intelligence

- Monitor parliamentary, government and policy developments relevant to universities, including legislation, inquiries, committee processes, estimates, sitting programs and government consultations.
- Maintain a reliable forward calendar of parliamentary and advocacy opportunities, deadlines and decision points.




- Produce a concise policy and parliamentary brief for UA leadership and members identifying significant developments, upcoming opportunities, risks and actions.
- Provide timely alerts and short-form advice when developments require more immediate attention.
- Maintain current information on portfolio responsibilities, committees, relevant parliamentary positions and key government contacts.
- Support monitoring of Senate estimates, parliamentary inquiries and other processes, including questions on notice and government responses.

Submissions and advocacy products

- Coordinate UA’s internal submissions process from identification of an chance through to lodgement and subsequent advocacy.
- Work with policy leads to establish clear timelines, responsibilities, member consultation requirements, clearance points and advocacy opportunities for each submission.
- Maintain a central submissions and advocacy pipeline so upcoming work is visible and properly sequenced across the organisation.
- Draft and edit executive summaries, recommendations, advocacy briefs, correspondence and other material, working from policy positions developed with subject‑matter experts.
- Help ensure submissions are concise, well written, strategically framed and useful beyond lodgement.
- Translate longer or technical policy material into accessible advocacy products for ministers, advisers, parliamentarians and members.
- Coordinate preparation for parliamentary and government hearings.
- Maintain templates, processes and quality controls that improve the consistency and efficiency of UA’s submissions and advocacy work.

Member engagement and support

- Support UA’s government relations network and other relevant member groups.<

📌 Senior Adviser: Advocacy and Government Relations (Canberra)
🏢 Universities Australia
📍 Canberra