The opportunity we have available

The Office of Northern Australia is a multi-disciplinary branch driving the economic and social advancement of Northern Australia. We oversee the Government’s $7 billion Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) special investment vehicle, coordinate cross-jurisdictional frameworks, and deliver the Northern Australia Action Plan. We are seeking agile, cooperative APS6 Senior Program and Policy Officers. We work in a fast-paced environment across cross-government portfolios to manage infrastructure financing governance, economic policy advocacy, First Nations co-design advice, and intergovernmental forums. We offer a supportive, collaborative environment that values excellence and kindness.

The key duties of the position include:

What you will do

As an APS6 Senior Officer, you will work with a high degree of independence to deliver complex operational and policy outcomes. Typical duties include:

- Financial and governance administration: Managing the administration of the $7B NAIF special appropriation, authorising proponent payments, and monitoring the shared risk register.
- Policy analysis and advice: Reviewing proposed infrastructure projects against government priorities, drafting legislative updates, and conducting research for the Northern Australia Indigenous Reference Group (IRG).
- Intergovernmental engagement: Providing secretariat and relationship coordination for the Northern Australia Working Group (NAWG) and jurisdictions.
- Reporting and coordination: Drafting whole-of-government inputs for the Northern Australia Action Plan Annual Progress Report and triaging complex ministerial correspondence.

Inherent requirements for the role

The inherent requirements for this role include:

- The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the APS6 Work level standards.
- Support the department’s commitments to the National Closing the Gap Agreement and the Our Stories on Country Agreement by embedding First Nations perspectives into infrastructure policy, program delivery, and stakeholder engagement.




- Demonstrated initiative to manage multiple shifting priorities and deliver high-quality outputs under tight timeframes.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills to collaborate across diverse teams, engage senior leaders, and find common ground.
- Strong capability to evaluate complex information from varied sources to draft clear, persuasive briefs and documentation.

Cultural capability requirement

The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.

As an APS6 you will be expected to:

- Consider the cultural context and implications of work area outcomes.
- Engage respectfully with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, building trusted relationships.
- Communicate respectfully and seeks appropriate cultural input to inform decisions.

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

- Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
- Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
- Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline.



You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
- Police check: The successful candidate must complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
- Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

Notes

For more information about this role, including the type of person we are looking for and how to apply, please refer to the position description available by clicking the 'Apply Now' button.

Getting to know the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Our work connects and enriches every Australian community, underpins our economy and society, and empowers our regions. We provide policy advice and deliver programs, projects and services in the infrastructure, transport, communications, sport and arts sectors, supporting our regions, cities and territories. Our staff have the opportunity to work on high profile and diverse national projects that have a meaningful impact on the lives of all Australians. We seek people with a wide range of skills and competencies. Whether you write policy, deliver programs, projects or corporate services, or have experience in research, data or technology, we look for employees who are innovative, respectful and professional. We are an inclusive employer and promote, value and support diversity among our employees with the aim of ensuring our workforce reflects, respects and benefits from diverse communities including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, people with disability and LGBTQI+ people. We are committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women’s progression into senior leadership.

📌 Senior Program & Policy Officers, Regional Development, Northern Australia & Local Government (Cairns)
🏢 Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
📍 Cairns