Subject Matter Officer, VET

Guiding the future of NSW education

Position details

• Senior Education Officer (SEO 2)

• Temporary – 2 years, Full-time

• Close to Wynyard station and hybrid work arrangements available

About us

At the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), we're dedicated to carrying out meaningful work that drives improvements and elevates student achievement across NSW, now and into the future.

We accomplish this by supporting all school sectors with high-quality syllabuses, assessment (including managing the HSC and NAPLAN), teaching standards (e.g. accrediting teachers) and school environments (including setting and monitoring school standards).

NESA is a unique organisation in NSW with significant state-wide impact. Visit our website to learn more about the important work we do.

About the role

The focus of the Subject Matter Officer, VET role is the development of a new Industry Curriculum Framework syllabus for children's education and care.

On a day-to-day basis you will be responsible for:

• Providing expertise and advice regarding the development of the new syllabus.

• Leading the development of the new syllabus in accordance with NESA's VET syllabus development processes.

• Working collaboratively with the Curriculum VET team and other officers across NESA.

• Preparing correspondence, reports and briefings.

• Providing advice on research that informs best practice in VET delivered to secondary students.

• Applying technology, digital tools, and data analysis effectively to deliver curriculum projects and support evidence-based decision-making.

To be successful, you will need:

• Experience managing differing stakeholders' views and competing expectations, priorities and sensitivities.

• Experience preparing correspondence, and collating data, on vocational education and related VET curriculum development and implementation in schools.

• Tertiary qualifications in education in a relevant discipline and/or educational leadership, or equivalent knowledge and experience.

• Extensive working knowledge and understanding of current legislation, policy, research, practices and issues relating to vocational education, curriculum and assessment.

• Expertise in development and implementation of VET curriculum for secondary students.

• Experience in early childhood education and care.

• A current NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance for paid employment.

We invite you to download the role description for additional information on the position.

Note:  A current NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance for paid employment is required before commencing in this role. It is not required at the application stage. The cost of the WWCC clearance is the responsibility of the successful applicant. 

At NESA you'll benefit from:

• An organisation where your contribution has a big impact.

• An enviable CBD location (all modes of transport nearby, and excellent coffee and eateries) with refurbished offices.

• Flexible working arrangements and generous leave entitlements.

• Access to discounted health and fitness memberships via Fitness Passport, an employee assistance program, and annual flu vaccinations.

• Salary packaging options.

• Working in a purpose driven and ethical organisation with committed colleagues.

Ready to join us?

Select apply and attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages). Also address the 2 targeted questions below in your online application:

Targeted question 1: Explain how you have drawn on your understanding of key legislation, policy, research, practices, and/or issues to support teaching and learning in vocational education and training. (maximum 400 words)

Targeted question 2: Outline a project that you have recently managed in your workplace. What strategies did you use to manage and mitigate risk and respond to changing priorities? How did you evaluate progress? What did you learn? (maximum 400 words)

Advice on applying for NSW Public Sector roles

If you need reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process and workplace, please reach out to

Close date: 13 November 2025 at 11.59pm AEST

Thank you for your interest, we look forward to receiving your application.

Important information

We particularly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people of all ages, genders, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans and refugees.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For ongoing roles, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Australian Temporary Residents may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

A Talent Pool (valid for 18 months) may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles.