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Job Title


Assistant Director, Senior Policy Advisor


Company : Department of Employment and Workplace Relations


Location : Melbourne, Victoria


Created : 2025-07-23


Job Type : Full Time


Job Description

Assistant Director, Senior Policy AdvisorJoin to apply for the Assistant Director, Senior Policy Advisor role at Department of Employment and Workplace RelationsAssistant Director, Senior Policy Advisor4 days ago Be among the first 25 applicantsJoin to apply for the Assistant Director, Senior Policy Advisor role at Department of Employment and Workplace RelationsCanberra, ACT; Adelaide, SA; Brisbane, QLD; Darwin, NT; Hobart, TAS; Melbourne, VIC; Perth, WA; Sydney, NSW$125,220 - $138,394Executive Level 1Canberra, ACT; Adelaide, SA; Brisbane, QLD; Darwin, NT; Hobart, TAS; Melbourne, VIC; Perth, WA; Sydney, NSW$125,220 - $138,394About The Department Of Employment And Workplace RelationsWe are committed to empowering futures, ensuring rights and enriching lives. We support people to have safe, secure and well-paid work with the skills for a sustainable future as we ourselves strive to be a model employer.We provide the framework for fair and productive relationships between employers and employees. We also oversee skills development and training initiatives to support those entering the workforce or re-training to take advantage of emerging employment opportunities.With us, your work directly contributes to shaping the employment landscape. Whether you are engaging in policy development, program implementation, or direct support services, your efforts will have a tangible impact on job seekers, employees and the economy by giving them a framework to build a future anchored and realised through employment.It is our ambition to do things differently, to create the department of great jobs where our people reflect our purpose.The RoleThe Employment Conditions Division has policy responsibility for key elements of Australias national workplace relations system that covers the employment of millions of employees and employers across Australia. The Division is also responsible for the strategic oversight of the system, as well as emerging issues such artificial intelligence and technology in the workplace, the operation of the Fair Work Commission, and Australias international obligations. We are looking to fill multiple positions across four Branches in the Division.The Safety Net Branch leads policy advice to government on the minimum entitlements and conditions in the Fair Work Act 2009 and measures to support tripartite engagement with workplace relations framework. The branch has overall responsibility for the legislative framework for the National Employment Standards and modern awards. Current areas of focus are forms of employment that can be associated with insecure work casual, fixed term and part time employment, paid family and domestic violence leave and significant modern award cases before the Fair Work Commission. The branch is also responsible for policy development to strengthen tripartite engagement between government, unions and employer groups on workplace relations reforms and issues, including managing the Productivity, Education and Training (PET) Fund and the WHS Accreditation Scheme Residential Builders Assistance Grants.The AI, Institutions and Consultation Branch leads the development and implementation of a strategic consultation approach for the Workplace Relations Group on workplace relations reforms. This includes providing secretariat support for meetings of Workplace Relations Ministers, the National Workplace Relations Consultative Committee, the National Construction Industry Forum and other consultative bodies. Additionally, the Branch has policy oversight of the Fair Work Commission and the role of the courts in workplace relations matters, and the impacts of workplace relations reforms on small business. The Branch also leads workplace relations engagement on the use of artificial intelligence and regulatory technology in the workplace, and the Governments proposed ban of non-compete clauses in employment contracts.The Equity, Entitlements and International Branch, is responsible for developing and implementing policy relating pay equity and workplace relations reforms supporting womens workforce participation, as well as long-service leave and portable entitlements. The Branch is also responsible for managing Australias representation to the International Labour Organization, working across the department and government to negotiate, ratify and report on international labour standards and promoting fundamental labour standards in other bilateral and multilateral fora.The Strategy and Protections Branch is responsible for providing advice on workplace relations policy relating to the gig economy and independent contractors, including new world-leading legislative provisions to set minimum standards for these workers. It is also responsible for the employee protections framework in the Fair Work Act, including protections against sexual harassment, bullying, workplace discrimination and other unfair treatment. Finally, the branch has a strategic policy function, which is responsible for providing advice to government on setting its strategic workplace relations agenda, providing a framework for workplace relations policy advice, scanning the horizon for significant trends and issues that affect workplace relations policy, and providing advice on the operation of the Australian workplace relations system as a whole.Reporting to the Director, Assistant Directors are responsible for providing policy advice on workplace relations issues, including advising on current policy settings, longer-term policy options, and delivering the Government''s workplace relations reforms.Duties And ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities of the Assistant Director may include:Driving workplace relations reforms by designing effective policies and supporting delivery.Creating high quality products that help progress legislation through Parliament.Managing and leading projects from inception through to completion.Providing strategic advice on complex and potentially controversial matters to the Minister, their staff, and senior departmental officials.Maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, both internally and externally, and driving cooperative work practices.Drafting material for the Australian public such as fact sheets, communication products and responding to correspondence from citizens.Administering procurements or grants and ensuring value for Commonwealth money.Managing or coaching others, providing performance feedback and encouraging career development.Contributing to the Divisions leadership and promoting DEWRs culture of creating the department of great jobs.How to ApplyApplicants are required to provide a summary (no more than 750 words) that outlines skills, knowledge, and experience and why you should be considered for this vacancy. You should take into consideration the position overview (including any detailed position specific requirements) when drafting your response. Where possible include specific relevant examples of your work.TheIn the eRecruit (the departments online recruitment system) you will also need to:upload a Curriculum Vitaeprovide contact details for 2 Referees.EligibilityDont meet all the role requirements?At DEWR we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and seek to recruit staff with a wide range of backgrounds, skill levels, disciplines and working styles. If this role resonates with you and you are excited about making an impact, but your past experience doesnt align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway.Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department, you must be an Australian Citizen or, in limited circumstances, in the process of obtaining it.Security Clearance - our successful candidate is required to hold, or have the ability to obtain, and maintain a Baseline security clearance.Please refer to the Job Information Pack for more information about the role.Seniority levelSeniority levelMid-Senior levelEmployment typeEmployment typePart-timeJob functionJob functionOtherIndustriesGovernment AdministrationReferrals increase your chances of interviewing at Department of Employment and Workplace Relations by 2xGet notified about new Senior Policy Advisor jobs in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 4 days agoMelbourne, Victoria, Australia 1 week agoMelbourne, Victoria, Australia 1 week agoMelbourne, Victoria, Australia 1 week agoMelbourne, Victoria, Australia 2 months agoMelbourne, Victoria, Australia 4 days agoMelbourne, Victoria, Australia 2 weeks agoMelbourne, Victoria, Australia A$100,000.00-A$110,000.00 4 days agoNorth Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1 day agoPolicy and Business Analyst - Barton DeakinMelbourne, Victoria, Australia 6 days agoSenior Policy Officer Aboriginal Homelessness Reform - Identified PositionFitzroy North, Victoria, Australia 2 months agoMelbourne, Victoria, Australia 4 days agoMelbourne, Victoria, Australia 3 days agoSr. Policy Expert, Safety, RISC, Global Food and Product SafetyMelbourne, Victoria, Australia 2 weeks agoMelbourne, Victoria, Australia 2 weeks agoSenior Safety and Wellbeing Advisor, APS Level 6, Chief Operating OfficerMelbourne, Victoria, Australia 6 days agoSenior Policy and Advocacy Officer Emerging CommunicationsMelbourne, Victoria, Australia 2 weeks agoSenior Technical Advisor, EL2, AER - Consumers, Policy & Markets (EA2025/122)Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 1 week agoWere unlocking community knowledge in a new way. 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