Manager, Program Accreditation

AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency); City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 121,527 - 148,534; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging arrangements

Discounted private health insurance

Inclusive and supportive workplace

Job summary

AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) is seeking a Manager, Program Accreditation in Melbourne to lead high-quality accreditation services. This full-time role includes guiding a team, providing regulatory advice, and managing stakeholder relationships. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership skills and experience in regulated environments. The position offers a competitive salary starting at $135,031 per annum plus superannuation, inclusive team environment, and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience influencing and managing stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation and accreditation standards.
• Experience leading teams within complex, regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Program Accreditation team for high-quality outcomes.
• Provide authoritative advice to Accreditation Committees.
• Manage stakeholder relationships to achieve effective outcomes.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Written and verbal communication

Team leadership

Problem-solving

Judgment and decision-making

Education

Higher education understanding

Job description

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) works in partnership with 15 National Boards to implement the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for health professionals. We work to protect the public by ensuring that only health practitioners who have the skills, qualifications, and knowledge to provide safe care are registered.

As Manager, Program Accreditation, you will lead nationally consistent, high‑quality accreditation services and guide your team to deliver timely, risk‑based outcomes supporting Accreditation Committees under the National Law.

This is a full time, fixed term opportunity to cover leave, with a preferred location of Ahpra’s Melbourne office.

This role provides expert regulatory and operational leadership across program accreditation activities, applying the National Law, accreditation standards, policy and risk frameworks within complex education and regulatory environments. The role plays a critical part in protecting public safety by ensuring accreditation decisions are robust, defensible and consistently applied.

With a strong focus on people leadership, stakeholder management and customer experience, the Manager contributes to the strategic oversight within the Accreditation Unit and leads the Program Accreditation team through ongoing change, managing complexity and competing priorities.

In this role you will:

In this role, you will lead the Program Accreditation team to deliver high‑quality, risk‑based accreditation outcomes, provide expert regulatory advice, and influence key stakeholders in a complex national environment. You will:

• Guide the team to deliver nationally consistent accreditation advice and operational and secretariat services to five Accreditation Committees
• Provide authoritative, accurate and timely advice to the Accreditation Committees and their assessment teams, including attendance at committee meetings as required
• Apply legislation, accreditation standards, policy and procedures within education and regulatory contexts to support sound decision‑making
• Influence, negotiate and manage relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders to achieve effective outcomes
• Oversee work planning, prioritisation and risk management to maintain service quality, timeliness and customer satisfaction
• Lead and embed change impacting accreditation standards, policy, processes and team capability

As the ideal candidate, you will demonstrate:

• Strong stakeholder management capability, with demonstrated experience influencing, negotiating and managing competing interests
• Highly developed written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to distil complex information and tailor messages to different audiences
• Proven experience leading and developing teams within complex, regulated or policy‑driven environments
• A solution‑focused, risk‑based mindset with sound judgment and the ability to effectively manage upwards
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply legislation, policy and accreditation standards in practice
• An understanding of higher education, vocational or postgraduate learning contexts, and the ability to apply regulatory frameworks within these environments

You will bring strong prioritisation, time management and problem‑solving skills, and lead the team through change while supporting performance, wellbeing and a positive culture in a complex and evolving environment.

See more in the attached role description: Manager, Program Accreditation (CL7)

What we offer:

• Interesting and challenging work with a strong public safety purpose.
• Inclusive and supportive colleagues, enjoy coming to work and collaborating with your team.
• Salary packaging arrangements, including novated leasing and education expenses.
• Discounted private health insurance.
• Attractive base salary starting at $135,031 per annum plus superannuation.

To apply:

• Click ‘Apply for this job’ to submit your application.
• Your application must include a current resume and cover letter of no more than 2 pages addressing the Qualifications/Experience section of the role description
• Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process
• For any queries or a confidential discussion regarding this position, please email [e-mail]
• Closing Date: 11.30pm AEST on Sunday 24 May 2026

Please note applications will be screened and shortlisted during the advertising period. Should we receive suitable candidates during this time, the advertising period will cease.

Offer of employment is subject to successful background (pre‑employment screening) and Criminal History checks.

Ahpra requires all employees to comply with Ahpra policies, including the Flexible working policy

Ahpra is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We strongly encourage people of all abilities to apply, particularly people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and those who may experience diversity or disability related barriers in securing employment. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application.