Policy Officer

APS 4 - $72,002 - $78,386 per annum plus superannuation
- Emissions Reduction Division
- Adelaide, SA,Brisbane, QLD,Canberra, ACT,Darwin, NT,Hobart, TAS,Melbourne, VIC,Perth, WA,Sydney, NSW
- Work flexibly (remote/hybrid) from anywhere in Australia - we have offices in most states and territories.
- Make a difference by working on one of Australia’s premier climate change policies.
- Multiple opportunities are available in our growing Department.

**Who we are**
The Emissions Reduction Division develops and implements Australia's domestic policies and programs to get (and keep) Australia on track to at least 43 per cent reduction in emissions (vs 2005 levels) by 2030, and net zero by 2050. Our work spans the economy, with particular focus on the industrial, transport, agricultural, and land sectors, and we work closely with colleagues in the Energy group. Our strategies and advice are complemented by the divisions oversight and policy advice for the Clean Energy Regulator. The Division also delivers the National Greenhouse Accounts and emissions projections, which provide information on Australia’s historical, current and projected greenhouse gas emissions, fulfilling international reporting obligations. Tis data informs the design and tracks the effectiveness of domestic climate action and progress towards emissions reduction targets.

The Carbon Crediting Branch has policy responsibility for the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 (the CFI Act) and Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Rule 2015 (CFI Rule), which is the legislative basis for the Australian Carbon Crediting Unit (ACCU) Scheme. The ACCU Scheme has a critical role in supporting Australia meeting its legislated emission reduction targets of 43% on 2005 levels by 2030 and carbon neutral by 2050, particularly in its role in ensuring the success of the government’s Safeguard Mechanism reforms.

**The Job**
Calling all passionate graduates and junior professionals who want to make a difference. Be part of a new chapter of Australia’s climate change journey

Contribute to the integrity and diversity of one of the country’s premier climate change and emissions reduction policies - the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme (formally known as the Emissions Reduction Fund). The ACCU scheme offers landholders, communities and businesses the opportunity to run projects in Australia that avoid the release of greenhouse gas emissions or remove and sequester carbon from the atmosphere. The scheme plays a crucial role in providing financial support for emerging technologies and practices that reduce or sequester emissions.

As part of our team, you will have the chance to learn about, and support, a wide range of emerging technologies and practices. You will be responsible for the viability of innovative emissions reduction and carbon sequestration projects within the energy, transport, waste, traditional fire management, agricultural, forestry or blue carbon sectors. You could be supporting the roll out of a diverse range of projects such as converting transport fleets to the use of renewable fuels, improving waste management practices, growing blue carbon stocks, or improving land management practices to drive overall emission abatement in Australia. You will critically assess emissions abatement methodologies (ACCU methods) associated with these projects and ensure incentives under the ACCU scheme are delivering real and additional abatement.

ACCU methods set out the requirements that must be met to receive incentives, and the amount of emission abatement that can be attributed to projects. As part of your work you will need to understand the science behind the proposed project types. However, the job also requires complex policy consideration of the scientific, technological, regulatory and financial contexts in which proposed projects occur to determine whether that abatement will actually be driven by the scheme or would occur in its absence also. It’s a job that is sure to keep you excited and engaged

Multiple roles are available at our growing Department, with some staff likely to transition to the new Carbon Abatement Integrity Committee Secretariat once it has been established. The secretariat will advise the Integrity Committee and be responsible for carrying out independent analysis and assurance of scheme methods.

Roles are available across Australia, with Departmental offices established/being established in most states and territories and the opportunity to work flexibly.

Depending upon the exact role in the Branch, duties may include all or some of the following:

- developing well-researched policy and policy advice that aligns with the agency’s strategic objectives for various decision-making bodies, senior management and other decision makers
- supporting analysis on emissions avoidance technologies or sequestration practices within the energy, transport, waste, traditional fire management, a