Public Skills Australia (PSA) is appointed by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) as one of 10 Jobs and Skills Councils. Public Skills Australia works with employer and employee representatives (career and volunteer) from the Public Safety and Government industry-sectors – Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Correctional Services, Defence, Federal, State/Territory, and Local Government – and provides the following services in support of industry:
- development and consultation of workforce planning and training products that meet industry and policy needs;
- implementation, promotion and monitoring of strategies that drive improvement of training
delivery and monitor resulting impacts; and
- stewardship of intelligence relating to workforce challenges and skill needs.
About the position
Accountabilities: The Senior Networks and Partnerships Officer is accountable to the Manager
Government Priorities and Futures and is responsible for convening and managing Public Skills Australia networks established to provide advice grounded in subject matter expertise and lived experience of priority cohorts within the vocational education and training (VET) system. The role is further responsible for ensuring effective management of the networks to support robust consultation for Public Skills Australia’s work items. While this position reports to the relevant Manager they may be required to report to other leadership staff depending on the projects they work on.
Purpose: This role ensures that diverse voices are effectively represented, synthesised, and
translated into actionable insights that inform Public Skills Australia work program. The position requires strong facilitation and governance skills to coordinate consultations, build consensus, and maintain trusted relationships the different network groups. The role is pivotal in ensuring networks contribute meaningfully to national reform objectives, advancing inclusivity, responsiveness, and quality outcomes across the VET sector.
Responsibilities
1. Establish, manage, facilitate and grow Public Skills Australia’s network groups representing priority cohorts, ensuring inclusive participation and effective consultation structures.
2. Manage networks by supporting the Chair, engaging with members of the group and managing all aspects of their meetings and meeting preparation.
3. Capture and synthesise subject matter expertise and lived experience from network members to inform Public Skills Australia’s work program and support robust consultation.
4. Convene regular network meetings in accordance with the Network model and its role within Public Skills Australia’s governance and consultation processes.
5. Support and advise teams within Public Skills Australia on effective engagement and consultation with networks, utilising a range of consultation, communication and engagement methods aligned between work items and the requirements of network members.
6. Act as a trusted conduit between networks and Public Skills Australia’s work program, governance groups and promoting the perspectives of priority cohorts and key sector groups.
7. Prepare high level advice, briefings and presentations for Public Skills Australia’s Executive.
8. Work independently to prepare high quality governance and Board papers, briefings and presentations.
9. Present to a variety of audiences (including executives) using excellent written and verbal communication skills.
10. Track and monitor government priorities and advise accordingly on the impacts to the networks model and groupings.
11. 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.Demonstrated capability to manage and coordinate multiple stakeholder groups.
3.Demonstrated capability to negotiate and build consensus with stakeholders and build trusted relationships.
4.Proven ability to facilitate workshops to gather information and insights to support briefings and project documentation.
5.Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
6.Operate with a high level of political acumen and corporate maturity to build relationship with senior and executive level stakeholders.
7.Motivated to drive a positive can-do culture across the company.
8.Proven capability work on multiple products in a fast-paced environment.
9.Ability to provide advice in complex policy settings.
10.Strong interpersonal skills, with a motivation and preparedness to support the Executive of the organisation.
Desirable
1.Experience working within a public safety environment in an advisory capacity.
2.Experience in policy and advisory roles.
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 Thursday 14 May 2026. Applications will be processed as they are received, interviews and appointment may occur before the end date.
