Government Relations Specialist

Western Power; Perth; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Up to four weeks additional leave per年

Salary packaging options

Discounted health insurance and gym

Job summary

Western Power is seeking a Government Relations Specialist for a 12-month secondment in Perth CBD. The role focuses on engaging with government and external stakeholders to protect and enhance the organisation's reputation and strategic interests.

You will advise on external stakeholder issues, prepare ministerial briefings, and monitor energy policy developments while ensuring regulatory compliance. A strong writing and relationship-building capability is essential for success.

Qualifications

• Experience in a political setting, a government department, or advocacy/non-profit organisation.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to navigate government processes.
• Ability to provide strategic advice in politically sensitive environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate strategic stakeholder engagement activities.
• Prepare ministerial briefings, issue notes, parliamentary question responses, and government communications.
• Build and maintain relationships with Ministers, MPs, agencies, regulators and advocacy groups.
• Support advocacy agenda through stakeholder engagement and policy advice.
• Advise internal teams on external stakeholder issues and reputational considerations.
• Monitor energy policy, regulatory developments and their impact on Western Power.
• Provide strategic advice to executives on government and reputational considerations.
• Ensure compliance with legislative and reporting obligations applicable to a Government Trading Enterprise.

Skills

Public policy

Stakeholder engagement

Government relations

Strategic advisory

Written communications

Education

Tertiary qualification in public/social policy, politics, management, or business-related discipline

Job description

Government Relations Specialist – 12 Month Secondment – Perth CBD

The Government Relations Specialist supports Western Power's engagement with government and key external stakeholders, helping to protect and enhance the organisation's reputation and strategic interests. The role works closely with the Government Relations and Ministerial Liaison teams, providing advice, stakeholder management, advocacy support, and issues management across government, parliamentary, regulatory, and community matters.

Your Role in Action

• Leading and coordinating strategic stakeholder engagement activities.
• Preparing ministerial briefings, contentious issue notes, parliamentary question responses, and other government-facing communications.
• Building and maintaining relationships with Ministers, Members of Parliament, government agencies, regulators, community leaders, and advocacy groups.
• Supporting Western Power's advocacy agenda through effective stakeholder engagement and policy advice.
• Advising internal teams on external stakeholder issues and reputation management.
• Monitoring and analysing energy policy, regulatory, and industry developments and assessing their impact on Western Power.
• Preparing strategic advice for executives on government, stakeholder, and reputational considerations.
• Ensuring compliance with legislative and reporting obligations applicable to Western Power as a Government Trading Enterprise.
• This role aligns closely with government relations, public policy, ministerial services, stakeholder engagement, issues management, and strategic communications.

What Makes You a Great Fit

• Tertiary Qualification in public/social policy, politics, management, or business-related discipline
• Solid experience in a political setting, a government Department or an advocacy/not for profit organisation or similar business
• A strong communicator with excellent writing and stakeholder engagement skills, capable of navigating government processes, managing complex issues, and providing strategic advice in a politically and reputationally sensitive environment.
• Strong understanding of state or federal parliamentary, political systems and processes.
• Understanding of the state and national electricity industry, market, and regulatory framework.

By joining Western Power, you will contribute to powering a cleaner energy future. We are dedicated to fostering career development and promoting a healthy work-life balance, empowering you to drive innovation as we develop a network that will serve the Western Australian community for generations. Y ou will also benefit from a range of perks and opportunities, including:

• Over 50% of our employment opportunities are driven by career progression.
• Flexible work arrangements to support part time work, working hours and working from home arrangements.
• The opportunity to purchase up to four weeks of additional leave per year.
• Access to salary packaging, social club activities, and discounted health insurance and gym membership.
• An award- winning employee recognition and benefits programme.
• An innovative team culture that’s enabling the transition to renewable energy and decarbonisation.
• In addition to standard leave, enjoy three wellness leave days each year.
• Access to end-of-trip facilities at our Perth office and South Metro Depot, perfect for cyclists.
• On-site café available for convenient meals and refreshments throughout the day.
• 22 weeks paid parental leaveand 5 days of First Nations cultural leaveto support family and cultural connections.

Applications close on 26 October 2026

We value diversity and inclusivity, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and LGBTQIA+ communities.As a WORK180 -endorsed employer for women, we are proud of our commitment to inclusion. You can learn more about this through our Reconciliation Action Plan and Disability Access and Inclusion Plan.