Policy Advisor

Grab for Careers

The establishment of Early Learning Victoria is entering its next phase as all existing central officer positions have been made ongoing. As such, we are very excited to be advertising these positions for a commencement date of 1 July 2026

About the Department

The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society.

About Early Learning Victoria

The Victorian Government is establishing 50 government-owned and operated early learning centres by 2032 as part of the Best Start, Best Life reforms. The centres offer childcare, Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep. The centres provide high-quality, accessible and inclusive early childhood education and care that is child centred, focused on learning through play and in nature, with strong connections to local communities.

Early Learning Victoria is part of the Victorian Department of Education. The ELV central team is leading the roll-out of the 50 centres and supports and oversees 4 centres that have recently opened. We are committed to creating a supportive and enriching work environment for our employees, offering a range of benefits and opportunities for professional growth and development.

Early Learning Victoria is committed to the Child Safe Standards and safeguarding of children from harm.

About the Role

The role will see you contribute and support the wider policy and strategy team which develops and manages policy, priority projects, and strategy for the program. This could include policies such as fees, prioritisation of enrolment policies, and governance arrangements for the program. The team's work needs to be highly collaborative, drawing on the experience of practitioners at the centres, other evidence and research, and broader educational expertise within the department.

As this is the first time the Victorian Government has run early learning centres, the role of the team will evolve and sharpen as the program progresses.

Your duties will include:

• Supporting the development of briefings, recommendations and advice for senior decision makers, including the Minister for Children.

• Contribute to the development of Cabinet submissions, budget submissions, Ministerial briefings, and parliamentary briefings.

• With support, carrying out research and analysis to inform recommendations as required.

• Providing administrative and tracking support for briefing processes, stakeholder engagements, meetings and other as required.

• Developing communications products, such as public presentations, meeting minutes, and parliamentary talking points, to inform the community and sector.

• Use your analytical skills, knowledge of the early childhood sector and strong communication and stakeholder management skills to support effective policy development and implementation.

Capabilities

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate excellent organisational skills and an ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Candidates should have experience in policy development and design, including strong analytical and conceptual skills, written communication skills, and the ability to plan and manage timeframes. Strong stakeholder skills are essential to this role as it will be important to draw on the expertise of others and understand context. All members of the team are expected to work collaboratively across the department, show a high degree of respect for colleagues and external stakeholders, and demonstrate a high degree of responsibility for their individual work.

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for the role, you must be able to demonstrate:

• Excellent organisational skills and an ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

• Experience

• Experience demonstrating organisational and administrative tasks within a collaborative team environment

• Prior knowledge of policy development and design, including strong analytical, conceptual and written communication skills.

• Ability to manage and plan varying timeframes effectively.

• Strong stakeholder management skills essential.

• High level of respect and accountability, with further significant alignment to model VPS values.

• An understanding or prior experience withinearly childhood sector and associated policies highly desirable.

• Relevant tertiary degree would be ideal but not essential.

• Desirable: Experience in working for Government owned and operated Early Learning Services

How to apply

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

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Hannah Sweetman, A/Manager -

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 ourDiversity 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

Preferred applicants will be required to have a Working with Children Check. A police check and other pre-employment checks may be required. 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 26 October 2025