Electorate Officer - Policy and Strategy

Parliament of Australia; Canberra; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Electorate Staff Allowance up to $38,4

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Parliament of Australia in Canberra seeks an Electorate Officer – Policy and Strategy to provide high-quality policy analysis, research and strategic advice to Senator Richard Dowling across national economic, social and environmental issues.

Based in Canberra with occasional interstate travel, you will support policy priorities, committee work and stakeholder engagement, coordinating with the office and preparing briefs, speeches and submissions.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated public policy and analytical capability.
• Strong research skills and ability to rapidly understand unfamiliar subjects.
• Understanding of national political environment and parliamentary processes, incl. Senate and committees.
• Understanding of Australian Labor Party and broader labour movement.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement with Ministers’ offices and government departments.
• Ability to work independently in a small team with competing priorities in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities

• Research and analyse complex policy issues and provide evidence-based advice.
• Identify and develop policy ideas and parliamentary opportunities.
• Support Senate committee work and inquiries, including research and analysis.
• Lead and contribute to priority policy work and strategic projects.
• Prepare briefs, policy papers, submissions and speeches.
• Meet with policy stakeholders and represent the Senator at forums and briefings.
• Coordinate policy and parliamentary priorities with the Adviser and wider team.
• Travel as required and support office priorities.

Skills

Policy analysis

Public policy research

National political environment

Parliamentary processes

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Independent working

Education

Tertiary qualifications or equivalent

Job description

Electorate Officer – Policy and Strategy (Electorate Officer B)

Senator Richard Dowling

Senator for Tasmania

Position Description

Title: Electorate Officer – Policy and Strategy

Classification: Electorate Officer B ($79,525 – $92,846 + up to $38,416 allowance)

Employment Conditions: Ongoing

Hours of Work: Full-time

Location: Canberra, ACT. Occasional interstate travel, including to Hobart, will be required.

Immediate Supervisor: Senior Electorate Officer – Office Manager

Position Overview

The role provides high-quality policy analysis, research and strategic advice to Senator Richard Dowling across a broad range of national economic, social and environmental policy issues, connecting national policy and parliamentary work with the Senator’s priorities and their implications for Tasmania.

Based in Canberra, the role will support the Senator’s policy priorities, Senate committee work, stakeholder engagement and parliamentary activities, working closely with the Parliamentary and Policy Adviser and wider office. It will provide an on-the-ground presence in Parliament House during sitting and non-sitting periods and build relationships across government, Parliament and relevant stakeholder networks.

During non-sitting periods, the successful candidate will often be the only member of the Senator’s staff based in Canberra and must be comfortable working independently and exercising sound judgement. This is a hands-on role in a small, collaborative office requiring flexibility, initiative and intellectual curiosity.

Key Duties

• Research and analyse complex economic, social and environmental policy issues, monitor national policy and political developments, and provide clear, evidence-based advice on emerging issues, risks and opportunities relevant to the Senator’s priorities.
• Identify and develop policy ideas and parliamentary opportunities that support the Senator’s priorities.
• Support Senate committee and inquiry work, including research, hearing preparation, questions, analysis of evidence and follow-up. Analyse Bills, proposed amendments, explanatory memoranda and other legislative developments, and provide advice on their policy and political implications.
• Lead and contribute to priority policy work and strategic projects, including financial capability and financial literacy.
• Prepare high-quality briefs, policy papers, research, correspondence, submissions, speeches, parliamentary statements, opinion pieces, talking points and other material, including content that can be adapted for traditional and social media.
• Meet with policy, industry, community and other stakeholders, including representing the Senator at forums, briefings and events where appropriate, and ensure issues raised are appropriately followed up.
• Liaise with Ministers’ offices, government departments and other parliamentary offices to progress policy and stakeholder matters.
• Work closely with the Parliamentary and Policy Adviser and wider team to coordinate policy, parliamentary, stakeholder and communications priorities.
• Contribute flexibly to campaign, community, constituent and broader office priorities, undertake travel as required, and perform other duties necessary to support the Senator and the effective operation of the office.
• Promote, support and maintain a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace culture
• Other duties as required to support the Parliamentarian and the effective operation of the Electorate Office.

Selection Criteria

The ideal applicant should possess the following skills, qualifications and experience:

• Demonstrated public policy and analytical capability, with an ability to engage deeply with complex economic, social and environmental issues.
• Strong research skills and an ability to rapidly understand unfamiliar subject matter, assess evidence and produce clear, practical and well‑reasoned advice.
• A strong understanding of the national political environment, Australian government and parliamentary processes, including the Senate and parliamentary committee system.
• A sound understanding of the Australian Labor Party and broader labour movement, and the political context in which policy and parliamentary work occurs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distil complex information into clear briefs, speeches, policy material and practical verbal advice.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills and an ability to work effectively with Ministers’ offices, government departments, parliamentary offices and external organisations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with sound judgement and initiative, while collaborating effectively as part of a small team and managing competing priorities in a fast‑moving political environment.

Requirements

Essential

• Tertiary qualifications or equivalent skills, knowledge and professional experience relevant to the role.
• High levels of professional integrity, discretion and confidentiality.
• Capacity to work reasonable additional hours when required.

Desirable

• Previous experience in public policy, government, Parliament, a parliamentary or Ministerial office, a policy organisation, think tank, industry association, union or comparable environment.
• Experience supporting parliamentary committees or inquiries.
• Experience in speechwriting or preparing substantive material for public communication.

Values

The values of Accountability, Integrity, Curiosity, Respect and Service are fundamental to all roles within the Senator’s office.

Employment conditions

The position is offered under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 and conditions are outlined in the Commonwealth Members of Parliament Staff Enterprise Agreement 2024-27 which include:

• A commencing salary between $79,525 and $92,846 will be negotiated depending on experience and relevant skills.
• An additional Electorate Staff Allowance (ESA) of up to $38,416 may be considered in recognition of, and as compensation for, reasonable additional hours of work and any travel requirements.
• Relocation assistance, studies assistance and paid study leave may also be available (subject to eligibility requirements).
• An employer superannuation contribution of 15.4% will be payable.

Applicants should note the following

• An initial probationary period of three months may apply and may be subject to extension.
• The successful applicant may be required to undergo a National Police History Check.
• Staff may be subject to automatic cessation triggers in accordance with Section 14 of the MOP(S) Act.
• The successful applicant will be required to comply with their obligations under the Behaviour Codes and Standards.
• As a condition of employment, the successful applicant will be required to disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest, and any material matter relevant to their suitability for the role, including publicly available statements, publications or online activity that could reasonably give rise to a significant integrity, security, operational or reputational risk for the office.

Applications close: 5:00PM Wednesday, 4 November 2026.