Policy Officer

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time

Salary: $97,955 - $111,142

Grade: VPS 4

Occupation: Policy

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: DJCS/1879824

At the Department of Justice and Community Safety, we're looking for people who want to make a difference. People who take pride in their work. People who get things done. People who are committed to making Victoria a safer place.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We're all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we'd love to hear from you.

The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and recognises that children's rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit

We're proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it?

• Join the Aboriginal Youth Justice Policy and Strategy team to drive meaningful reform and support Victoria's Aboriginal youth.
• Support the delivery of Wirkara Kulpa, Victoria's Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy, through policy development, project coordination, and evaluation.
• Collaborate with the Aboriginal Justice Caucus, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), and other stakeholders, while offering expert advice on Aboriginal youth justice matters.

The Aboriginal Youth Justice unit at the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) is responsible for the design and development of policy, strategy and program responses for young Aboriginal people in contact with, or at risk of contact with the Youth Justice system.

A key focus of the Aboriginal Youth Justice Policy and Strategy team is to drive the implementation of Wirkara Kulpa in partnership with the Aboriginal Justice Caucus and under the governance of the Youth Collaborative Working Group of the Aboriginal Justice Forum.

The Opportunity

• Ongoing, full-time position based in Melbourne.
• VPS Grade 4 role: $97,955 - $111,142 per year plus superannuation.
• Assist with project management, research and development of policies, documentation and communications for Aboriginal Youth Justice.
• Contribute to the implementation of the Wirkara Kulpa, the Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy.
• Assist with secretariat and administrative support for the Youth Collaborative Working Group and other supporting structures and assist with the preparation of progress reports to the Aboriginal Justice Forum, Aboriginal Justice Caucus, AJA Ministers and senior executives.
• Assist preparation of reports, including Ministerial briefs, discussions papers and correspondence on policy issues and strategic analysis and commentary on emerging issues relating to youth justice.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal community, both society and culture and the issues impacting on it.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with the Victorian Aboriginal community.
• Experience in developing and implementing policy, strategy, or program responses in a government or community services context.
• Strong skills in building collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community organisations, government agencies, and service providers, to achieve shared outcomes.

This is a prioritised role for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, who will be given priority consideration as per the special measures provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010

To learn more about the type of skills you will need to thrive in this role, please read the position description.

What's in it for you?

You will be working for the Department of Justice and Community Safety, which is one arm of the Victorian State Government, a recognised top employer of choice nationally. All our staff work to the vision of a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.

There are many advantages in working for the department, including:

• Job stability – position as a member of the Victorian Public Service (VPS).
• A fair salary– enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options.
• Transparent performance framework– approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
• Generous leave entitlementsR 11; provisions for many forms of leave; including personal, parental, carers, study, cultural, compassionate, and sick leave.
• Employee Assistance Program support – you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you're experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues. It is also available for financial counselling and retirement planning.

If you have any queries, please contact Jack Allford on or

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to contact if they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.

For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made

We want to make sure all Victorians feel represented by the department's work. One of the ways we do this is by recruiting a diverse workforce – we welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background. We are also committed to the Victorian Government's promise to increase the number of veterans working in the public sector.

We're proud of our individual differences. We're proud of the many languages we speak and the stories we can share with each other. We hope you will share your story too.

If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a great match for, please APPLY NOW. Applications close 11.59pm, Sunday 21 September 2025.

How to apply

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.

Applications close Sunday 21 September 2025 at 11.59pm

Posted

22 August 2025