Senior Policy and Project Officer

• Help children have the best start in life through high quality education & care.
• Improve outcomes for children and families in early education and care.
• Join an expert team working across governments at the national level.

About ACECQA

We want children in Australia to have the best start in life through quality education and care.

We provide national leadership on the implementation of the National Quality Framework (NQF) and collaborate with the Australian and state and territory governments to:

• implement changes that benefit children birth to 13 years-of-age and their families
• monitor and promote the consistent application of the Education and Care Services National Law across all states and territories
• support the early childhood education and care sector to improve quality outcomes for children

We strive for innovation and continuous improvement and are committed to keeping the sector and the community informed with the latest developments in early childhood education and care.

ACECQA is committed to being a child-safe organisation, implementing the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and actively promoting the safety and wellbeing of children.

The Role

The Senior Policy and Project Officer provides policy advice and support for the implementation, operation and continuous improvement of the National Early Childhood Worker Register (the National Register). The position will report to, and support the Manager Register Operational Policy and Practice and works with internal teams and jurisdictions to ensure policy settings, operational processes and system use are effective, consistent and aligned to the National Register's intent as a child safety tool. The position contributes to the ongoing operation of the National Register, including implementation of enhancement, operational policy development, stakeholder support and performance monitoring.

This role is full-time and fixed term (12 Months) at ACECQA Band 5/6 ($106,584- $145,629).

About You

To be successful in this role you will need:

• Highly developed conceptual, analytical and research skills, including the ability to work with legislation, operational policy and procedure, complex business systems and associated materials.
• Experience working with operational policy, regulatory system or implementation of government systems and processes.
• Excellent oral communication and writing skills, including experience preparing clear and concise submissions, policy options papers, internal and external communications or similar.
• Effective teamwork skills and high levels of initiative, including the ability to achieve results and outcomes in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the state and territory governments and other key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively and negotiate confidently.
• Proven ability to contribute to policy development, complex issues resolution, legislative interpretation and project management.

While not essential, the following attributes will greatly assist you in the role:

• Knowledge of current trends, issues and policy in the education and care or related sectors.

ACECQA is committed to removing barriers and opening up opportunities. As an employer we seek to ensure people with differing needs and abilities have the same opportunities to successfully gain skills, knowledge and experience through work, social activities, education and training irrespective of their age, disability, colour, race, gender, religion, sexuality, family responsibilities, or location. In particular, we are committed to improving opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

You must have the right to work and live in Australia to apply for this role.

The successful candidate will be required to consent to a national police check.

How to apply

The closing date for applications is 04 August 2026 at 11.59pm.

Important Note: Please ensure you follow the recruitment process outlined below, otherwise you may not be considered for the role.

To apply, please register with the ACECQA Recruitment Candidate Portal, navigate to Senior Policy and Project Officer vacancy and click Apply for Job. The application process will require you to:

• Attach a CV of no more than 5 pages whichdemonstrates your ability to meet the criteria contained in the position description.
• Provide the details of at least two referees who have directly supervised you within the last five years of employment.
• Attach a written response to the targeted questions below of no more than 2 pages

Targeted Questions

1. Describe a time when you identified a policy, legislative, operational or business process issue and developed solutions to improve outcomes. How did you research and analyse the issue, consult with stakeholders, provide advice, and implement continuous improvement initiatives that resulted in enhanced policy implementation and operational processes?
2. Tell us about a project or initiative you managed in a fast-paced environment involving multiple teams, stakeholders or committees. How did you coordinate activities, manage risks and issues, adapt to changing priorities, and drive continuous improvements that strengthened policy outcomes, operational processes or system performance?

All complete applications will be acknowledged.

More information

If you have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@acecqa. gov.au.

Notice to agencies

ACECQA will not accept applications from any source other than directly from a candidate for this vacancy. Recruitment agencies must have received instructions from ACECQA in relation to a specific vacancy in order to submit applications on behalf of candidates.

ACECQA is collecting the information requested in the advertisement for the purpose of selection, recruitment and engagement of staff. ACECQA is authorised to do so by the Education and Care Services National Law. Please refer to our Privacy Policy which can be accessed at http://www.acecqa.gov.au/privacy-policy.