Defence Budget Policy Officers

Budget Group / Government & Defence Division / Defence Branch
- APS 4 ($74,012 - $84,472),APS 5 ($82,535 - $92,609),APS 6 ($90,802 - $110,821),Executive Level 1 ($117,538 - $142,337) | Ongoing & Non-ongoing | Full-time & Part-time
- Canberra, ACT

**ABOUT THE DEFENCE BRANCH**

Defence Branch is part of Budget Group and supports the operational delivery of the Budget, and reports on expenditure to inform the Government’s strategies and ongoing management approach for Defence related issues.

The role of Defence Branch also includes:

- Providing policy and financial advice to the Government to shape decision-making on whole-of-government matters;
- Taking a constructive leading role in the co-development and implementation of the Government’s strategic policy objectives with agencies across the Commonwealth; Using the latest available data and analytical methodologies to provide an evidence base for decision making.

The policy skills and financial management capabilities people develop and practice in Finance are highly valued and readily transferable to a range of future career opportunities across the public and private sectors. In particular, roles in Defence Branch help people to consolidate a credible record of experience and achievement in:

- Contributing and leading the preparation of strategic policy and budget advice to the Government, Defence and other Commonwealth agencies to inform their decision-making and approach to policy implementation;
- Effective stakeholder management and negotiation skills through daily engagement with stakeholders across Government;
- Assisting Government in considering Defence proposals in collaboration with Defence, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and The Treasury;
- Costing new policy initiatives and managing financial estimates for major Defence programs;
- Numerical capability and financial acumen;

**ABOUT THE** OPPORTUNITY**

The Defence Branch, Government and Defence Division has several exciting opportunities to be part of a team at the forefront of the Budget process, developing and costing New Policy Proposals (NPPs), and providing financial and policy advice to the Australian Government on Defence proposals, capabilities, operations, and investments.

There are five teams in Defence Branch:

- **Defence Agency Advice Unit and Integrated Investment Program**: analyses and provides policy advice to Government on Defence portfolio expenditure and policy issues (including the Department of Defence, the Australian Signals Directorate, and other Defence entities), the Defence Integrated Investment Program, and Defence support and operations and other Defence initiatives and programs.
- **Land and Estate**: provides policy advice to Government on Army capabilities, including land combat vehicles, long range fires and littoral manoeuvre vessels, Defence estate, and the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise.
- **Maritime and Shipbuilding**: provides policy advice to Government on maritime and shipbuilding capabilities and proposals, including nuclear-powered submarines, surface combatants and naval-related infrastructure.
- **C5i and ICT**: provides policy advice to Government on Defence and Australian Signals Directorate intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, ICT and cyber capabilities.
- **Space and Air**: provides policy advice to Government on Air Force and Defence Space Command capabilities, including the Joint Strike Fighter and space-based communications, intelligence and navigation.

We pride ourselves on being a collaborative and supportive place to work, which is inclusive and committed to fostering an atmosphere of respect where diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds are valued.

Key responsibilities would include:

- providing budget, financial management and investment advice in support of the Government decision making processes;
- working closely with the Department of Defence, Australian Signals Directorate, Australian Submarine Agency and other Defence entities and central agencies to support the development and Government consideration of Defence proposals;
- analysing, costing and reviewing new policy proposals and Defence capability investment proposals;
- preparing briefing to support the Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet, National Security Committee of Cabinet, and National Security Investment Sub-committee of Cabinet, and our Senior Executive on policy and financial issues relating to the Defence portfolio;
- supporting the delivery of the Budget and Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook;
- reviewing updates to specific spending estimates and the Defence Integrated Investment Program; and
- drafting briefing and other correspondence for the Minister for Finance’s consideration on Defence proposals.

Defence Branch offers exciting, high-profile work, that makes a difference across Government while providing opportunities for professional development in line with individual