Policy Officer, Early Childhood Education

ACT; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 103,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

ACT Public Service in Canberra seeks a Policy Officer, Early Childhood Education to support policy design and implementation for young children. The role is full-time, temporary with the possibility of permanency, based in Canberra with ABW arrangements and hybrid work.

The successful candidate will write briefings and policy advice, manage priorities, and engage with internal and external stakeholders. Strong strategic thinking, written communication, and public service experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated strategic thinking and problem-solving in government policy or project work.
• Excellent written communication and ability to prepare briefs and policy advice.
• Strong organisational skills with ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
• Experience building relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to strategic policy development on complex early childhood issues.
• Prepare high-quality written products including briefs, policy advice and stakeholder correspondence.
• Manage competing priorities and deadlines in a dynamic policy environment.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including acting as secretariat for an external group.
• Collaborate in a small, high-performing team and support continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Written communication

Stakeholder management

Organisation skills

Job description

Policy Officer, Early Childhood Education
Full-time Temporary with a Possibility of Permanency

Closes: 02 November 2026

Classification: Administrative Services Officer Class 6
Salary: $102,657 - $116,592 plus superannuation
Position No: 48494
Directorate: Education
Advertised (Gazettal date): 19 October 2026
Contact Officer: Emmalene Sculthorpe on [e-mail] or [phone]

Details: Are you a strategic thinker and excellent communicator? Do you enjoy writing? Do people marvel at your organisation skills?

We are looking for a motivated and professional officer who is excited by the opportunity to support policy work that ensures the best outcomes for young children. Our new team member will work in a very interesting and varied role supporting the design and implementation of important government policy positions for early childhood initiatives in the ACT.

In this role, you will:

• Contribute to strategic policy development and problem-solving on complex issues affecting the early childhood sector.
• Prepare high-quality written products, including briefs, policy advice and stakeholder correspondence.
• Manage competing priorities and deadlines in a dynamic policy environment.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders across government and the community, including acting as secretariat for an external stakeholder group.
• Work collaboratively as part of a small, high‑performing team, contributing to continuous improvement and new ways of working.

The ideal candidate will have experience working in a state or territory public service, or the Australian Government public service. They will have a sound understanding of government processes, strategic and critical thinking skills, exceptional written and organisational abilities, and strong interpersonal skills.

Eligibility/Other Requirements:

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated strategic thinking and problem-solving skills in the context of Government policy and/or project work, and the ability to transfer this into high-quality written advice for executives and Ministers.
• Highly developed organisational skills, ability to work under pressure in a small team and manage competing priorities.
• Well-developed interpersonal and representational skills, with experience in building quality relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to and record of contributing to improving business outcomes through innovative approaches and within the context of the ACTPS values and signature behaviours.

Notes: This is a temporary position available immediately until 1 November 2027 with the possibility of permanency.

A Merit Pool may be established from this selection process and used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months.

This role requires the successful candidate to be based in Canberra due to the nature of the work and the need for regular collaboration with ACT-based stakeholders. Remote working arrangements outside of the ACT and local surrounds will not be considered.

This position is based within a workplace designed for activity-based working (ABW). Under ABW arrangements, officers do not have a designated workstation/desk. We work in a mixed-mode of at home and at the ACT Whole‑Of‑Government building at 220 London Circuit. The successful candidate will be expected to work flexibly across sites.

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

Where an offer of employment is for a fixed‑term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal .

Note

This is a temporary position available immediately until 1 November 2027, with the possibility of permanency.