Principal Policy Officer

Principal Policy Officer - Information and Privacy Commission NSW

Grade: 11/12

Annual Salary Range: $149,739 - $173,174 + superannuation

Employment Type: Ongoing, Full-time

Location: Sydney

• Provide expert advice to Commissioners on legislative and regulatory initiatives
• Located at the McKell Building - Haymarket
• Closing date Monday 3 November 2025 at 9:59am

About the role

As a Principal Policy Officer, you will play a critical role in leading and managing policy and legislative analysis to inform the Commissioners' oversight and education functions. You will provide high-level advice, and analysis and contribute to the development of policies that safeguard privacy and information access rights in NSW. This is an opportunity to influence government decision-making and deliver outcomes that directly impact the people of NSW.

Your key accountabilities include:

• Leading research and analysis of complex policy and legislative reform issues
• Preparing and evaluating Cabinet submissions, briefs, and reports to support informed decision-making.
• Providing expert and timely policy advice, including legal and economic insights, to Ministers, Commissioners and senior leaders.
• Managing projects and/or teams to deliver high-quality policy reforms and initiatives on time and within scope.
• Designing and implementing strategies to evaluate policy initiatives, identifying risks and recommending improvements.
• Engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders.

About you

You are a strategic thinker with experience in leading complex reforms and providing authoritative advice in a dynamic environment. You are solutions-focused, adept at managing competing priorities, and confident in representing the Commission in high-level discussions with government, industry and the community.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in law and/or policy development, or equivalent industry experience.
• Proven expertise in legislative development and policy analysis, with strong knowledge of Cabinet and government processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage projects or teams in complex and fast-paced environments.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing high-level reports, submissions and advice.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small, passionate, and high-performing team contributing to the vital work of the IPC in promoting information access and privacy rights in NSW.

How to apply for the role at the IPC

Your application must include a cover letter of no more than 2 pages, and an up-to-date resume of no more than five pages which clearly details your skills and experience as relevant to this role.

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

Applicants invited for interview will be required to complete additional assessments.

Please ensure you respond to all the selection criteria in your application and include your answers to the two pre-screening questions below.

As part of this application process, candidates are required to answer two pre-screening questions based on the focus capabilities for this role. Please ensure that your response is not more than 500 words:

Question 1:

Describe a time when you provided legal and/or policy advice on a complex issue. How did you ensure high quality advice? What was the outcome?

Question 2:

Describe a situation where you had to balance competing priorities or stakeholder interests in developing or implementing a policy. What approach did you take? What was the result?

About us

The IPC is an independent integrity agency that supports the Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner to oversee the operation of privacy and information access laws in NSW. Our vision is to promote transparency and accountability through better access to information, balanced with a commitment to privacy rights for the people of NSW.

To learn more about the IPC, look at our website

Working at the IPC

The IPC is a great place to work Our values of accountability, trust, service and integrity drive our initiatives and culture. We support innovative programs in areas as broad as digital government, consumer protection and major public works. We are an inclusive organisation that celebrates diversity and flexible work practices and believe our people are our greatest asset.

The IPC is proud to be an EEO Employer who are fully focused on equality and believe deeply in diversity of all identities making us different and a true reflection of our NSW customers. As an inclusive workplace, we support various employee resource groups, practice flexible work and workplace adjustment. If you do require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please notify us on your application form.

Salary Grade 11/12, with the base salary for this role starting at $149,739 base plus superannuation

Click Here to access the Role Description.

For enquiries relating to recruitment please contact Meg Rapley via

Visit the Capability Application Tool to prepare for the recruitment process by accessing practice application and interview questions based on the focus capabilities listed in the role description.

Closing Date: Monday 3 November 2025 at 9:59am

Careers at Department of Customer Service

A career at the Department of Customer Service (DCS) gives you the opportunity to help improve government services and be part of reform that benefits people across NSW. We are focused on delivering excellent customer service, digital transformation, and regulatory reform. Come join us and influence the future of our great state.

Belong in our diverse and inclusive workplace

The strength of our workforce lies in its diversity and embracing difference, while the key to our success is leveraging the contributions of employees with different backgrounds and perspectives.

You can view our full diversity and inclusion statement here.

We want you to bring your best self to this application process. If you have any support or access needs that may require adjustments to allow you to fully participate in this selection process (including an alternate format of the application form) please contact or

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