Field Officer

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

• Multiple ongoing and temporary opportunities are available in supportive and high performing teams across the state who work hard to ensure the high quality and safety of early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across NSW.
• Currently vacancies exist throughout Metro Sydney and Greater Sydney.
• A talent pool may be created through this recruitment process to fill anticipated vacancies over the next 18 months.
• Competitive remuneration ranging from $99,938 to $110,271 plus super & annual leave loading.  

About the Department of Education   

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. The NSW Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Regulatory Authority, where this role is placed, is responsible for the health, safety and wellbeing of children in ECEC services across NSW.

For more information about the Department of Education, please visit NSW Department of Education.

About the role 

Field Officers draw on their expertise gained from working in ECE to work collaboratively with ECEC services to ensure the paramount safety of children, drive continuous improvement and deliver the best outcomes for children. Working as a Field Officer is rewarding, challenging and impactful – you can make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and their families.

This role is part of the Early Childhood Education and Care Regulatory Authority within the Department of Education and is at the forefront of regulating and supporting a vast ECEC sector that includes over 6,000 services. By working closely with other team members, external stakeholders and the broader community, you will contribute to shaping a sector that supports the best outcomes for children and families. The team operates within a collaborative and supportive environment, united by a shared commitment to excellence and regulatory compliance, with the paramount safety of children at the heart of everything we do.

The responsibilities include:

• Undertake compliance and monitoring and quality assessment and rating audits of service providers to ensure continual performance uplift of the ECEC sector.
• Recommend a range of regulatory actions to ensure consistent adherence to policy and procedures, and proportionate regulatory responses to non-complaint services.
• Undertake relevant regulatory activities including site visits to support investigations of complaints and incidents and, where necessary, escalate matters to the Hub Coordinator and the Compliance and Investigations team.
• Maintain effective relationships with sector stakeholders and teams across the directorate to contribute to the delivery of planned objectives.
• Participate in hub groups to seek and provide information to enhance the knowledge and performance of the sector, and to inform policy and program development.
• Implement engagement, communication and capability development strategies to support continuous improvement in the sector.
• Apply sound decision-making skills in the preparation of quality evidence-based written reports, submissions and correspondence.

To learn more about the role of an Authorised Officer, please visit the Authorised Officer webpage, review the Authorised Officer fact sheet and download the role description. This role requires travel as part of core duties. Please do not apply for field based roles if you are unable to regularly travel.

About you

• ECEC sector experience in one or more ECEC service types, including implementation of ECEC pedagogy and programs
• Confident in interpreting and applying legislative requirements
• Knowledgeable in early childhood education frameworks and best practice
• Skilled in conducting quality assessments and preparing evidence-based reports
• Experienced in managing stakeholder relationships and communicating clearly
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to undertake regular short-term travel to meet business needs and flexibility to work at varied times within the bandwidth
• Self-motivated, organised and able to work autonomously
• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department's Aboriginal Education Policy and ECE First Steps Strategy and upholding the Department's Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Applicants will be required to declare and provide details of any investigation(s) that they have been subject to, at any time, personally as an employee of an Early Childhood Education and Care Service or as a Responsible Person.

Essential requirements of the role

• A valid Working with Children Check clearance for paid employment
• A valid driver license as driving is an essential requirement of this role
• Degree or diploma or in the process of attaining a degree or diploma in a relevant discipline and/or relevant experience. For example Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) or Diploma Early Education and Care
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education
• Regular travel, including overnights as needed to meet business needs; ECEC Regulatory Authority is NSW wide.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive pay/remuneration, 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 essential requirements and capabilities of this role as well as providing answers to the pre-screening questions below.

Please also attach a copy of your relevant diploma or degree, along with an academic transcript if available.

Question 1: Describe a time, using an example from an early childhood education and care setting, when you had to adjust your communication style in order to effectively deliver a key message. What techniques did you utilise and what was the outcome? (300 words maximum)

Question 2: Risk identification and mitigation is an important part of the role of field officer. Please provide an example of both identification and mitigation of a risk in an early childhood education and care setting that you were involved in and what the outcome was. (300 words maximum)

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.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). Visit the Office of the Children's Guardian website for more information.

Closing date: Sunday 7th December 2025 at 11:59pm.

Please note contact will be made late December 2025 as in person interviews will be held early February 2026.

For role enquiries please contact Recruitment Specialist, Rabia Zia-Hamid via or Business Support Project Officer, Lisa Walker via

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.