Senior Policy Officer

Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Senior Policy Officer - Talent Pool

Policy, Reform and Legislation

Law Reform and Legal Services

• Talent Pool Recruitment for ongoing and temporary roles
• Based at premises in Parramatta - flexible working arrangements apply (greater metro/regional applicants are encouraged to apply)
• Departmental Professional Officer 4/5, salary ($138,539- $149,739), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

Your role

If you are interested in working in legislative and justice system reform, a role in the Policy, Reform and Legislation Branch could be for you. We are looking for people who are passionate about thinking of ways forward for the law and the justice system, who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and who have a sound understanding of the law, the operations of Government and/or experience in Parliamentary and Ministerial processes.

In this role you will:

• Research, analyse and review complex legislative and justice policy issues, identify emerging issues, develop evidence-based options, and recommend solutions to resolve problems and mitigate risks.
• Provide expert policy advice and information to relevant stakeholders to facilitate the appropriate development and implementation of key legislative and justice system reforms and support Agency and/or Government policy initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, facilitating their engagement in, and contribution to, the identification and development of legislative and policy solutions and to inform decision making.

What you'll do

The Policy, Reform and Legislation Branch sits within the Law Reform and Legal Services Division of the Department. The Branch contributes to the development of policy for the justice system and to delivering government reform priorities, including complex legislative reform projects.

The Policy, Reform and Legislation Branch has several teams:

• Civil Justice, Vulnerable Communities and Inclusion
• Courts, Access to Justice and Regulatory
• Criminal Justice System
• Law Enforcement and Crime
• Law Reform Commission and Sentencing Council secretariat

The talent pool may be used to fill roles in any of these teams.

What we're looking for

Essential requirements of the roles

• Law Degree or equivalent (i.e. a degree relevant to a role in legal policy work).
• Sound knowledge of Commonwealth and State law, government functions and the legislative process.

In addition to meeting the essential requirements, the successful candidate must demonstrate:

• strong research and analysis skills and advanced verbal and written communication skills,
• ability to manage competing priorities within a high-pressure work environment,
• ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholder groups,
• integrity and professionalism, sound judgment, discretion and initiative.

Appointments are subject to reference checks.

Download the role description.

For more information about the work of the Policy, Reform and Legislation branch click here PRL - About us information.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the 'Apply now' button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply - you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career

• Flexible, autonomous work environment

• Competitive pay and conditions

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close: Sunday, 07 September 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring managers Julia Mansour and Phoebe Webb at and

If you've got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Lois Jebin at

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

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