Senior Program and Compliance Officer

Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time

Salary: $113,022 - $136,747

Grade: VPS 5

Occupation: Governance and risk management

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DE/ECE/1882059

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.

The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

About the Division

Regulatory Strategy, Services and Compliance Branch

The Joint Compliance Monitoring Program (JCMP) operates within the RSSC Branch.

The RSSC Branch is responsible for providing expert regulatory advice, strategic direction, and leadership on a broad range of regulatory issues and complex compliance matters. The RSSC Branch also licenses and administers provider and service approvals, assesses fitness and propriety of individuals, manages the division's information management systems and technologies, undertakes data analysis and reporting and maintains corporate governance processes.

In addition to the JCMP, the RSSC Branch comprises three business units:

• Monitoring and Compliance Unit – leads and provides advice on strategic compliance, supports the development operational policy, promotes implementation of best regulatory practice. The unit also manages and provides advice on serious non-compliance and enforcement matters.

• Service Administration and Support Unit – licenses and approves early childhood education and care service providers and services including assessments of fitness and priority and administers existing service licences. Also provides a first point of contact for regulatory enquiries.

• Business Systems and Review Unit – develops and maintains QARD's information management systems and technologies, user support, undertakes systems improvements, reporting, data analytics, business planning, budget planning, enterprise risk management and governance and assurance oversight.

About the Role

There are two fixed-term full time positions available till 30/08/2028, based in East Melbourne.

The core purpose of these roles is to provide program and regulatory leadership and support within a small program team to embed regulatory practices following the implementation of theJCMP with the Commonwealth Department of Education.

TheJCMP is a collaborative approach between QARD and the Commonwealth to combine and step-up compliance efforts, to maintain focus on early childhood education and care providers identified as being at risk of serious non-compliance and fraud; with a view to enhance the regulation of early childhood services across Victoria and contribute to improving the quality of the education and care sector.

The program team collaborates with a broad range of internal stakeholders, including staff within QARD, legal and finance divisions and teams across the department; as well as co-regulators and other government and enforcement bodies.

The Senior Program Officer will be a senior member of a program team responsible for:

• developing and implementing guidelines, frameworks, policies and procedures to ensure effectiveness of regulatory processes

• leading risk-based compliance strategies and undertaking compliance monitoring projects

• data analysis to identify emerging regulatory risks and issues to inform QARD's risk-based regulatory activities

• collaborating with regional QARD area teams and other key internal stakeholders across the Department to lead strategic investigative planning, provide expert advice, enable knowledge sharing and explore opportunities for continuous improvement, arising from the program

• providing authoritative and expert advice, information and recommendations to senior management in relation to the development and implementation of the program.

The position requires an ability to assess risk and grasp and utilise regulatory concepts and practices, collaboration with staff within QARD, in other divisions and gro ups across the department, and with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. It requires knowledge of regulatory compliance, investigative and analytical processes and very good written and verbal communication skills.

Attributes

• Demonstrated compliance experience and strong regulatory skills to provide policy and practice advice
• Knowledge of the broader regulatory environment as well as exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Desirable: Relevant leadership experience in regulatory investigations or compliance related disciplines.

Further Information

Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role.

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page.

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Leanne Pallot, Manager, Joint Compliance and Monitoring at or

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Thursday 11 September, 2025.

Applications close Thursday 11 September 2025 at 11.59pm

Posted

28 August 2025