Access and Equity Officer

Hepburn Shire Council; Daylesford; On-site; AUD 88,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful work

Supportive team

4 weeks annual leave

Leave loading 17.5%

Additional leave option

Learn@Hepburn

Counselling & wellbeing

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

Hepburn Shire Council in Daylesford is seeking an Access and Equity Officer to join our Customer Community and Economy team. You will lead the development of the Disability Action Plan, support the Rainbow Action Plan, and drive initiatives to improve access, inclusion and equity across the organisation and community.

Based in Daylesford with flexibility to work across the municipality, you will collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders to identify barriers, provide specialist advice, and

Qualifications

• Experience in community services or social policy.
• Strong understanding of access, equity and human rights principles.
• Ability to analyse and report on initiatives.
• Experience building relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience preparing reports, policies and briefing papers.
• Knowledge of relevant legislative and policy frameworks relating to access and equity.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of Disability Action Plan and Rainbow Action Plan.
• Identify emerging access and equity issues and provide reports/briefings.
• Develop strategies to improve inclusion and accessibility.
• Build partnerships with community organisations and government agencies.
• Organise and facilitate community and stakeholder groups, networks and meetings.
• Build Council's capacity to respond to access and equity issues.
• Identify and pursue relevant grant opportunities.

Skills

Communication skills

Community engagement

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Reporting & briefing

Legislation knowledge

Working with Children Check

National Police Check

Driver licence

Local Govt exp

Job description

Help build a more equitable Hepburn Shire for everyone.

Are you passionate about access, inclusion, human rights and creating communities where everyone can participate and thrive?

Hepburn Shire Council is seeking an Access and Equity Officer to join our Customer Community and Economy team. In this rewarding role, you'll lead the development of Council's new Disability Action Plan, support implementation of the Rainbow Action Plan, and drive initiatives that improve access, inclusion and equity across our organisation and community.

Working closely with the Coordinator Healthy Communities and a broad range of stakeholders, you'll identify barriers to participation, provide specialist advice, influence positive change and support a more inclusive future for Hepburn Shire.

• Salary: Band 6, $87,616.88 to $95,465.92 per annum (pro rata), plus superannuation
• Working hours: 30.4 hours per week
• Base location: Daylesford and various locations across the municipality
• Reports to the Coordinator Healthy Communities

About Us

Hepburn Shire Council is a small rural council located 90 kilometres from Melbourne, serving the communities of Daylesford, Creswick, Clunes and Trentham. Join a supportive organisation where you can grow your career while making a genuine difference.

How you'll make a difference

You'll support our community and organisation by:

• Leading the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of Council's Disability Action Plan, Rainbow Action Plan and other human rights-based plans.
• Identifying emerging access and equity issues and providing advice, reports and briefing papers.
• Developing and implementing strategies and initiatives that improve inclusion and accessibility.
• Building strong partnerships with community organisations, government agencies and internal stakeholders.
• Organising and facilitating community and stakeholder groups, networks and meetings.
• Building Council's capacity to respond to access and equity issues.
• Identifying and pursuing relevant grant opportunities.

About you

You'll bring experience in community services, social policy or a related field, ideally with a strong understanding of access, equity and human rights principles.

You'll also have:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in research, analysis, policy development and community engagement.
• The ability to influence and build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Experience preparing reports, policies and briefing papers.
• Knowledge of relevant legislative and policy frameworks relating to access and equity.
• Working with Children Check
• National Criminal History Check
• Current Driver Licence
• Experience working in Local Government or a similar environment.

If this role excites you, but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we'd still love to hear from you.

What Hepburn can offer you

Join a supportive organisation while enjoying the lifestyle benefits of Hepburn Shire's vibrant communities and natural environment.

When you join Council, you'll enjoy:

• meaningful work that makes a genuine difference to the community
• being part of a supportive and dedicated team
• four weeks annual leave plus 17.5% annual leave loading
• the option to purchase additional leave
• access to Learn@Hepburn for professional development
• free confidential counselling and wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Program
• an inclusive workplace where people of all backgrounds, abilities, experiences, cultures, genders and identities are welcomed, respected and supported to succeed

Applications close: Friday 9 October 2026 at 5.00 pm
Interviews are planned to be held on: Friday 16 October 2026.

InclusionHepburn Shire Council is committed to a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, cultures, genders and identities.If you require adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. Police, reference and Working with Children Checks (where required) form part of our recruitment process.

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