Public Skills Australia has been appointed by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) as one of 10 Jobs and Skills Councils. We work with employer and employee representatives from the Public Safety and Government industry-sectors – Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Correctional Services, Defence, and all levels of Government – to ensure Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) system delivers better outcomes for learners and employers. A primary function of our work is to provide workforce planning, industry intelligence and training product development in support of industry needs and government priorities.
The Policy Advisor (Government Priorities) is accountable to the Manager Government Priorities and Futures delivers Public Skills Australia’s Industry Stewardship function through a focus on government priorities. This role will work closely with the Strategic Policy Advisor (Government Priorities) to collectively develop and deliver regular submissions to Parliamentary and other inquiries, provide collated industry feedback on request from government or other agencies and deliver other work that may be required. This position will be accountable for the delivery of successful government priorities in support of the Industry Stewardship function of the organisation.
The Policy Advisor (Government Priorities) will gather and analyse information and intelligence to inform and draft government and inquiry submissions and consultations, utilising their written capability to ensure the Public Safety and Government perspective is strongly embedded into their work. They work in a small team, work with other teams and ensure robust consultation, good governance and adherence to federal government requirements
Responsibilities
In partnership with internal stakeholders and external service providers, with the intent of ensuring compliance with relevant legislative, grant and company compliance obligations, the Policy Advisor (Government Priorities) will:
1. Gather and collate industry responses to Parliamentary and other inquiries.
2. Track government and other relevant publications and environments to inform their Executive and the Public Skills Australia Board and industry stakeholders for reporting purposes.
3. Draft policy advice and company submissions relating to government and other priorities and publications, reports and media releases.
4. Regularly review and interpret strategic government priorities across the jobs and skills landscape, including Federal and State/Territory level initiatives and consultations.
5. Prepare briefings and presentations for the Executive.
6. Work with others to prepare high quality governance and Board papers, briefings and presentations.
7. Support relevant stakeholder networks and/or governance groups (as determined by business need) by supporting the Chair, engaging with members of the group and managing all aspects of their meetings and meeting preparation.
8. Work with stakeholders by using excellent written and verbal communication skills.
9. Maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, in particular industry stakeholders, Jobs and Skills Australia and DEWR.
Key Selection Criteria – Essential
1. A Higher Education qualification such as a relevant Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
2. Experience of policy and advisory work at a national level.
3. Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
4. Demonstrated capability to negotiate and build consensus with stakeholders and build trusted relationships.
5. Proven ability to support and facilitate workshops and other engagements to gather information and insights.
6. Motivated to drive a positive can-do culture across the company.
7. Proven capability work on multiple products in a fast-paced environment.
8. Ability to provide advice in complex policy settings.
How to apply
Your application should include a CV/Resume of no more than 4 pages and a Cover Letter of no more than 2 pages. The Cover Letter should not repeat information contained in the CV but specifically address the ‘essential’ Key Selection Criteria. Any queries should be directed to the HR and Recruitment Officer at careers@publicskillsaustralia.org.au. Applications close at midnight, Monday 5 January 2026.
