Policy Officer - PBS Pricing

FIRST PEOPLE Recruitment Solutions; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

First People Recruitment Solutions is seeking a Policy Officer for the Pricing Changes Section in Canberra to support PBS pricing applications with detailed clinical, financial and market analysis.

The role combines numbers and policy writing, with responsibilities including drafting policy papers and briefs, researching data sources, and delivering monthly PBS pricing updates. Pharmacist background or health sector experience is highly regarded.

Qualifications

• Assess PBS pricing applications using clinical, financial and market analysis.
• Draft policy papers, briefs and correspondence.
• Research diverse data sources and synthesize information for decision makers.
• Support monthly PBS pricing updates and implementation activities.
• Pharmacist background or health sector experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess and finalise PBS pricing applications within agreed timeframes and quality standards.
• Draft high-quality written materials, including policy papers, reports, briefs, agenda papers, committee minutes, correspondence and responses to enquiries.
• Research and analyse diverse data sources, and synthesize critical information for decision makers.
• Support the delivery of monthly PBS pricing updates, including legislative, policy and administrative implementation activities.
• Communicate and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver legislative and policy outcomes.
• Manage competing priorities and deadlines while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and attention to detail.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Written communication

Excel data skills

Time management

Stakeholder engagement

Team collaboration

Policy understanding

Education

Pharmacist qualification

Tools

Excel

Job description

First People Recruitment Solutions – Canberra ACT

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing develops and delivers policies and programs that support better health, disability and ageing outcomes for all Australians. Its work spans the health system, aged care, disability support and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, as well as access to affordable medicines.

The Pricing Changes Section sits within the department's work on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The PBS gives Australians timely, reliable and affordable access to necessary medicines. The section manages pricing applications for PBS-listed pharmaceutical items and supports the monthly PBS pricing updates. That work helps keep the Scheme sustainable and value for money for taxpayers.

About the Role

As a Policy Officer in the Pricing Changes Section, you'll provide technical and administrative support across PBS pricing applications. You'll assess applications using clinical, financial and market analysis, so that pricing decisions rest on solid evidence. You'll also draft the briefs, committee papers and correspondence that keep the process moving.

This role suits someone who enjoys detailed analytical work, is comfortable with both numbers and words, and likes seeing their work feed directly into national health outcomes. You'll work in a multidisciplinary team, liaise with internal and external stakeholders, and help deliver the monthly PBS pricing updates.

A background as a pharmacist with recent community or hospital practice experience is highly regarded, but candidates with strong policy, analytical or health sector experience are encouraged to apply.

Key Duties

• Assess and finalise PBS pricing applications within agreed timeframes and quality standards, using detailed clinical, financial and market analysis
• Draft high-quality written materials, including policy papers, reports, briefs, agenda papers, committee minutes, correspondence and responses to enquiries
• Research and analyse diverse data sources, and synthesise critical information for decision makers
• Support the delivery of monthly PBS pricing updates, including legislative, policy and administrative implementation activities
• Communicate and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver legislative and policy outcomes
• Manage competing priorities and deadlines while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and attention to detail

Key Skills and Capabilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail in both numerical and written contexts
• Well-developed written communication skills, ideally in a policy context
• Competency with data-related tasks, including common Excel functions
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver work on time
• Ability to work with minimal supervision within a multidisciplinary team
• High-level interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with a diverse stakeholder group
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a team environment
• Pharmacist with recent community or hospital pharmacy practice experience

Please submit applications in Word format only by 10am, 30th October 2026.

FIRST PEOPLE Recruitment Solutions is a majority Aboriginal owned agency providing contingent contracts, fixed term contracts and permanent recruitment solutions to Government and Corporate Australia.

Our Head Office is based in Canberra with a national reach to all the states and territories, regional and remote areas of Australia.

FIRST PEOPLE Recruitment Solutions acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures; and to elders past, present and emerging.