Policy and Project Officer

Company description:

The Department of Education is the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population. For more information about the Department of Education, please visit

Job description:

Various Clerk 7/8 roles in Tertiary Policy

Policy Officer, Policy and Project Officer

(ID 7157, 7187, 7194 and 7203)

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners - from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

• Location: Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available
• Salary, Clerk Gade 7/8: $113,574 to $125,720 base plus superannuation
• 1 x Temporary full time role (until 6 March 2027)
• 2 x Temporary full time roles (until 20 March 2026)
• 2 x Ongoing full time roles

About the role

Various Policy Officer and Policy & Project Officer roles are available in the Tertiary Policy team within the NSW Department of Education.

Tertiary Policy provides strategic advice and leads reform across the NSW skills, vocational education and training, and higher education sectors.

Primary purpose of the role

There are five Clerk Grade 7/8 roles available in Tertiary Policy:

1. Policy Officer, Skills Office (ID 7203 Ongoing Role)

2. Skills Office provides strategic advice and coordination to support the establishment of new skills policy and reform initiatives.

3. For further information please click here to view the role description

4. Policy Officer, National Skills Funding and Reform (ID 7194 Temporary Role)

5. National Skills Funding and Reform leads strategic policy thinking, negotiation and implementation of Commonwealth-State agreements in the skills and vocational education and training policy area. It also supports reporting obligations under these Commonwealth-State agreements.

6. For further information please click here to view the role description

7. Policy Officer, National Skills Policy (ID 7194 Ongoing Role)

8. This role, as part of a broader team, contributes to the development of strategic policy and advice on all aspects of skills and vocational education and training policy in national and state contexts.

9. National Skills Policy manages intergovernmental relations including support for Ministerial meetings and the design and implementation of intergovernmental agreements in the skills space.

10. For further information please click here to view the role description

11. Policy and Project Officer, Higher Education Strategy (ID 7157 Ongoing Role)

12. Higher Education Strategy team oversees the implementation of the NSW Government's Public Partnerships for Public Benefit: the NSW Higher Education Strategy as well as initiatives in the NSW Skills Plan.

13. The Higher Education Strategy team works closely with universities and other government agencies to implement priorities and improve outcomes for students. For further information please click here to view the role description

14. Policy and Project Officer, Skills Policy (ID 7187 Temporary Role)

15. Skills Policy provides strategic policy advice to support the NSW Government implement its current reform agenda and identify new opportunities for reform to maximise outcomes for NSW.

16. For further information please click here to view the role description

About you

• Natural problem-solver, skilled at analysing complex issues and developing practical, evidence-based solutions.
• Proactive and self-driven, takes initiative to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and lead improvements.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple priorities and deliver quality work within tight timeframes.
• An interest in public policy and a passion for driving reform.
• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department's Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department's Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Essential requirements of the role

• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.

Please refer to the Applicant's Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking 'Apply Now'.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

As a condition of employment, successful candidates who are not currently employed by the department will be required to provide a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number. This option would allow the WWCC to naturally expire without further communication needed with the employee. The employer obligations under the WWCC would apply for duration of the WWCC's validity (up to 5 years).

Closing date: Wednesday, 22 October 2025 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Elizabeth Galton on and for recruitment process enquiries please contact Julie Nguyen at

We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team ) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.