Senior Policy Adviser

Office of the Hon Clare O'Neil MP

Minister for Housing

Minister for Homelessness

Minister for Cities

The office of the Hon Clare O'Neil MP is seeking applications for a full-time ongoing Senior Policy Adviser to join her team.

Ministerial staff form an integral part of Government, providing indispensable political, policy and administrative support to Ministers as they carry out their executive responsibilities. They work in conjunction with the apolitical Australian Public Service to deliver the Government's agenda. 

This is a unique opportunity to work at the heart of Government on some of Australia's most pressing challenges – tackling housing affordability, addressing homelessness, and shaping the future of our cities.

Position Overview

As Senior Policy Adviser, you will play a central role in driving policy development and providing strategic advice to the Minister. You will anticipate emerging issues, translate complex ideas into clear options, and help craft solutions that deliver real impact for Australians.

The role demands a sharp policy mind, political judgment, and the ability to build trusted relationships across government, industry, and the community sector. It offers the excitement of working in a fast-paced, high-performing Ministerial office, where your work will directly influence national debate and outcomes.

If you thrive under pressure, enjoy thinking strategically, and want to contribute to bold reforms that make a difference, this is the role for you.

The key duties of the position include:

• Leading policy development and strategic advice across the Minister's portfolios, including drafting Cabinet submissions, legislative/regulatory proposals, speeches, and parliamentary material.
• Monitoring and evaluating existing policy programs, measuring performance, identifying opportunities and risks, and proposing policy improvements.
• Anticipating emerging issues (political, media, cross-jurisdictional), preparing responses, and managing policy risks.
• Consulting, negotiating and collaborating with Commonwealth agencies, State/Territory and Local Governments, non-government organisations, community stakeholders, and industry.
• Coordinating intergovernmental policy work and implementing initiatives that cross portfolio boundaries.
• Providing high-quality written and verbal advice, ensuring that Ministerial briefings are clear, evidence-based and aligned with government priorities.
• Managing a range of complex projects, often with tight deadlines and competing demands.
• Representing the Minister at meetings, conferences, stakeholder events as required.
• Supervising and mentoring junior policy staff, helping to manage workflows in the policy team.
• Travelling to support the Minister's duties as required, including to Canberra for parliamentary sitting weeks.
• Promoting, supporting and maintaining a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace culture.
• Performing other duties as required by the Minister.

The ideal applicant should possess the following skills, qualifications, and experience:

• Significant experience (5+ years) in policy roles, preferably in government or high-level policy/research organisations.
• Strong analytical, conceptual and strategic thinking skills; ability to handle complex, ambiguous policy issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and persuasively for Ministers, Cabinet, Parliament, media, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, work under pressure, handle tight deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills including the ability to negotiate, influence, and build productive relationships.
• Sound political judgement, discretion, integrity, and understanding of the interface between policy, politics and the media.
• The successful candidate will understand and share the views and values of the Parliamentarian to enable them to perform their role consistently with, and supportive of, their values.
• Tertiary qualifications in public policy, law, economics, planning or related fields will be highly regarded.
• Experience in any or all of the Minister's portfolios (housing, homelessness, cities policy), with intergovernmental negotiations or cross-jurisdictional policy work and exposure to parliamentary/cabinet processes is desirable.

Employment Conditions

The position is offered under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 and conditions are outlined in the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement which include:

• A commencing salary between $151,364 and $199,041 will be negotiated depending on the candidate's experience and relevant skills.
• An additional Personal Staff Allowance of $37,364 is payable in recognition of, and as compensation for, reasonable additional hours of work.
• An employer superannuation contribution of 15.4% will be payable.
• Relocation assistance, studies assistance and paid study leave may also be available (subject to eligibility requirements).
• The position may be based in either Canberra, ACT or in Melbourne, VIC.

Applicants should note the following:

• An initial probationary period of three months may apply and may be subject to extension.
• The successful applicant may be required to undergo a National Police History Check.
• Staff may be subject to automatic cessation triggers in accordance with Section 14 of the MOP(S) Act.
• The successful applicant will be required to comply with their obligations under the Behaviour Codes and Standards.
• For staff employed by a Minister, Assistant Minister or Parliamentary Secretary either in a personal or electorate staff position, it is a condition of your employment that you obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 2 security clearance and comply with the Ministerial Staff Code of Conduct.

How to Apply

Email your application to o' If you have further questions about the role, you can also get in contact using this email address.

Your application should include:

• yourCV (two pages maximum, including names and contact details for two referees).
• a cover letter (one page maximum) outlining your interest in this position and demonstrating your skills, capabilities, and relevant experience; and
• a draft policy note (one page maximum) that pitches a policy idea to the Minister. This note should outline the context, the problem to be solved, options for consideration and recommendations for the Minister. You will not be assessed on your knowledge of housing policy in this piece of work. You will be assessed on your ability to clearly communicate and synthesise a policy issue for a Ministerial audience.

Applications close at 5pm (AEST) on Friday, 17 October 2025.