APS6 - Data Policy Advisor, Affirmative Measures, First Nations

Australian-Department-of-Infrastructure-and-Regional-Development; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 100,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Study assistance

Professional coaching

Generous leave entitlements

Job summary

Australian Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development in Canberra and other locations is seeking an APS6 Data Policy Advisor to lead data governance, policy development and coordination of data strategy actions. The role focuses on improving data quality, governance frameworks, and engagement with internal and APS-wide data initiatives.

The successful candidate will work within the Data Strategy and Partnerships Section, contributing to the department’s data capability while

Qualifications

• A strong interest in data and an understanding of the importance of timely and high-quality data for shaping policy development and program delivery
• Demonstrated experience in data management, data governance, data analysis or policy development
• Demonstrated ability to achieve results according to project schedules, meet deadlines and prioritise effectively between competing demands
• Demonstrated stakeholder management skills and the ability to build rapport with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• The ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally, including the ability to effectively communicate material of a technical nature to a broad audience
• A positive approach to teamwork and collaboration, including a willingness to assist across a range of activities

Responsibilities

• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to advance the department’s data agenda
• Contributing to the development of yearly Data Strategy Action Plans
• Designing and implementing initiatives to support the department’s data governance framework and policies
• Supporting education around data governance and data management to complement the rollout and embedding of the department’s data governance framework and Action Plans
• Developing guidance and products to improve the department’s data capability, including the development of reference materials
• Contributing to briefing material for high level whole-of-government data forums where the department is represented by the Chief Data Officer

Skills

Data governance

Data management

Policy development

Stakeholder management

Written & verbal communication

Job description

Career Opportunities: APS6 - Data Policy Advisor,affirmative measures, First Nations (48025)

Requisition ID48025-Posted07/09/2026-$99,733-$118,084-Location of Position (7)-Ongoing-Full Time

APS6 - Data Policy Advisor, Data, AI, Governance and Information Management Branch,Affirmative Measures, First Nations

Title:

APS6 - Data Policy Advisor, Data, AI, Governance and Information Management
Branch,Affirmative Measures, First Nations

Classification(s):

Employment Type:

Ongoing , Full Time

Business Division:

Branch / Section:

Data, AI, Governance and Information Management Branch/Data Strategy and Partnerships Section

Location:

We want to recruit the best people to our department. Our roles support flexible work arrangements including the opportunity to work from one of our departmental offices and hybrid (mixture of office and home-based work).

These roles are located in Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and Hobart.

A merit pool may be formed and used to fill future similar vacancies in these locations and other locations within the same metropolitan area.

Security Clearance:

Baseline Vetting

Job Reference No:

48025

Contact Officer:

Julian Breheny on [e-mail], [phone] or from 17-21 September:
Solomon Brown on [e-mail], [phone]

Closing Date:

11.59pm AEST, Tuesday 22 September 2026

The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the 'Racial Discrimination Act 1975'. This vacancy is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait people.

The opportunity we have available

The Data Strategy and Partnerships team is a dedicated, forward-thinking team that has a vacancy for a Data Policy Advisor. The team’s primary function is to lead the implementation of the department’s Data Strategy 2025-29 and annual Action Plans.

The team supports implementation of the department’s data governance framework and data management guidance, working to increase data capability across the department. The team coordinates the department’s engagement with relevant APS-wide data initiatives.

The team also works closely with other teams in the Data, AI Governance and Information Management Branch to ensure that artificial intelligence and information management issues are appropriately considered in the department’s broader data agenda.

A merit pool may be established to fill vacancies for similar roles in the department over an 18-month period.

What you will do

The role is varied and dynamic, but typical duties include:

• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to advance the department’s data agenda
• Contributing to the development of yearly Data Strategy Action Plans
• Designing and implementing initiatives to support the department’s data governance framework and policies
• Supporting education around data governance and data management to complement the rollout and embedding of the department’s data governance framework and Action Plans
• Developing guidance and products to improve the department’s data capability, including the development of reference materials
• Contributing to briefing material for high level whole-of-government data forums where the department is represented by the Chief Data Officer.

The successful candidates will work in an engaging, flexible and collaborative environment, including opportunities to shape how data is used within the department and across the Australian Public Service.

Inherent requirements for the role

The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the APS6Work level standard .

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A strong interest in data and an understanding of the importance of timely and high-quality data for shaping policy development and program delivery
• Demonstrated experience in data management, data governance, data analysis or policy development
• Demonstrated ability to achieve results according to project schedules, meet deadlines and prioritise effectively between competing demandsDemonstrated stakeholder management skills and the ability to build rapport with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• The ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally, including the ability to effectively communicate material of a technical nature to a broad audience
• A positive approach to teamwork and collaboration, including a willingness to assist across a range of activities

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is committed to supporting the employment and career development of people with disability. Our participation in APS RecruitAbility means we will progress an applicant with disability to a further stage in the recruitment process, where they opt into RecruitAbility and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy.

The RecruitAbility minimum requirements are listed above under ‘inherent requirements for the role’.

You will be asked to indicate if you wish to opt into RecruitAbility in the application form. You must tick the 'opt in' box to participate in RecruitAbility. Simply declaring that you have a disability will not automatically include you.

We provide reasonable adjustments such as access, equipment or other practical support at relevant stages of the recruitment process. Please advise in the application form or get in touch with the contact officer if you need any adjustments made.

• An interest in artificial intelligence (AI), and an understanding of the importance of well-governed, high-quality data to support the effective use of AI is desirable.
• Experience with organisational policy development, change management or capability development will also be highly regarded.

Cultural capability requirement

The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on CountryAgreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.

As an APS6, you will be expected to:

• Consider the cultural context and implications of work area outcomes.
• Engage respectfully with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, building trusted relationships.
• Communicate respectfully and seeks appropriate cultural input to inform decisions.

What else can we offer?

We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering individuals to set goals, acquire new skills, and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the benefits we offer include:

• Access to our study Assistance Program that provides paid leave and financial support for you to undertake courses of study that contribute to the improvements of your professional skills and knowledge relevant to our work and broader Australian Public Service.
• Through our investment in learning and development opportunities, and a positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
• Improve your leadership skills, through the department’s Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
• Flexible working opportunities, including part time hours, home based work and job sharing.
• We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month’s accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.

Join our department and embark on a journey of growth, fulfillment, and well-being. Experience personal and professional development, prioritise your health, and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.

Eligibility requirements

This is an affirmative measure vacancy – This vacancy is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait people.

This is an affirmative measures – First Nations applicants only position. The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. To be eligible to apply under the affirmative measures initiative, applicants must:

• be an Aboriginal person and/or a Torres Strait Islander person
• identify as an Aboriginal person and/or a Torres Strait Islander person, and
• be accepted by their community as being an Aboriginal person and/or a Torres Strait Islander person

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
• Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline level. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check: The successful candidate must complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.

If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.

Applications open: 8 September 2026

Application shortlisting: by 29 September 2026

Further assessments: by 9 October 2026

Selection report finalised: by 20 October 2026

Offers and announcements: by 27 October 2026

The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.

Your application will be assessed against the inherent requirements of the role , the Work level standards and in comparison to other candidates who applied . Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews and reference checks.