Capability Costing Analyst

Defence Australia; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Defence Australia is seeking an APS 6 Capability Costing Officer to deliver accurate costing analysis and advisory support for capability submissions. You will engage with a broad range of stakeholders and shape written and verbal guidance for senior leaders across Defence, contributing to major investment decisions.

The role emphasises flexible thinking, adaptability and collaboration within the Capability Costing Branch, with some opportunities for negotiated working-from-home as required by

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information to provide informed advice.
• Proven ability to engage with a range of stakeholders to gather inputs and validate assumptions.
• Background in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Project Management or STEM is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Provide accurate and timely costing analysis and advice on capability submissions (e.g. helicopters, ships, satellites and complex ICT systems).
• Engage with stakeholders to gather and validate costing inputs and assumptions.
• Prepare high-quality written and verbal advice for senior leaders and committees.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within costing processes and systems.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Problem solving

Relationship building

Education

Accounting/Finance/Economics/PM/STEM background

Job description

The Capability Costing Branch (CCB) within Defence Finance Group (DFG) provides independent and contestable financial analysis and assurance to Government on Capability Submissions. We work in partnership with the Defence community to drive better practice and transform costing.

We need people who are curious, adaptable and motivated by complex, real world problems rather than predictable routines. Your analysis will help inform Government decisions on major capability investments such as helicopters, ships, satellites and complex ICT systems.

This is not a role defined by monthly reporting cycles or predictability; instead, it rewards flexible thinking, intellectual curiosity and comfort with ambiguity. The pace can be fast and the thinking stretch based, but you will be well supported by an experienced, collaborative team with genuine access to senior Branch staff.

You will be a part of a team of professionals delivering accurate, timely and high-quality analysis and advice to project teams and senior leaders on capability submissions.

As an APS 6 Capability Costing Officer, you will employ a high degree of stakeholder engagement to achieve a range of tasks across capability proposals and support our Branch by undertaking analysis and shaping written and verbal advice for senior leaders and colleagues across Defence.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing accurate and timely costing analysis and advice on capability submissions (e.g. helicopters, ships, satellites and complex ICT systems), in compliance with relevant costing policies, manuals and regulations.
• Engaging with stakeholders to gather and validate costing related inputs and assumptions.
• Preparing high-quality written and verbal advice for senior leaders and committees.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives within costing processes and systems.

Defence is committed to supporting workplace flexibility. Due to operational requirements, our Branch often works on a classified network, which means there will be times when full-time presence in the office is necessary. Where it does not conflict with these requirements, some working-from-home arrangements can be negotiated.

About our Team

The Capability Costing Branch (CCB) provides end-to-end costing support across the Defence enterprise throughout the Government approvals process. The Branch’s primary responsibility is to conduct cost risk analysis of capability proposals and deliver informed advice to the Chief Finance Officer. CCB also plays a key role in connecting and supporting the professional costing community by:

• Developing policy and technical solutions.
• Providing strategic and technical costing support and advice.
• Building a sustainable and skilled costing workforce.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will have the following skills and attributes:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to influence across a range of stakeholders.
• Problem-solving abilities based on a questioning mind and an ability to think laterally.
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex information and provide advice.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with a network of internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a service mentality to assist our business colleagues in their role, responding to queries and assisting them as required.
• Improvement focus, strong results orientation, and seeks to add value through improving processes and systems.
• A background in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Project Management or STEM is highly valued.

Application Closing Date: Monday 28 September 2026