Regulatory Officer

Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) in Melbourne is seeking a Regulatory Officer to lead risk-based assessments of worker suitability and to prepare regulatory recommendations, including suspensions and prohibitions. You will support compliance and assurance programs for the Early Childhood Workforce Register and collaborate with regulators and internal teams.

The role requires strong writing and communication skills, discretion, and the ability to tailor briefing materials to

Qualifications

• Experience working within a regulatory environment.
• Ability to prepare clear, defensible decision documentation.
• Strong writing and communication skills tailored to different audiences.

Responsibilities

• Conduct risk-based assessments of worker suitability matters and prepare high-quality recommendations and supporting documentation for regulatory actions (e.g., suspensions, prohibitions).
• Contribute to compliance and assurance programs that improve the accuracy and integrity of the Early Childhood Workforce Register.
• Build and sustain effective relationships with internal teams and external co-regulators to facilitate collaboration and information sharing.
• Contribute to briefs, decision documentation, correspondence and reports tailored to different audiences.
• Support initiatives that build sector awareness of worker suitability obligations under the National Law and Child Safe Standards.
• Contribute to an inclusive, high-performing team culture.

Skills

Regulatory assessment

Stakeholder management

Written communication

Risk-based judgement

Job description

Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority – Melbourne VIC

The Worker Suitability Team leads the delivery of VECRA's worker suitability regulatory functions, including the identification, assessment and actioning of regulatory responses where individuals pose a risk to children. The team also oversees the integrity of the Early Childhood Workforce Register through compliance and assurance programs and works to build sector awareness and understanding of worker suitability obligations under the National Law and related child safety obligations.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity is available for a highly motivated regulatory professional with strong attention to detail and a passion for meaningful and impactful work. The Regulatory Officer position sits within the Worker Suitability Team and supports the delivery of worker suitability regulatory functions, including the assessment of matters where individuals may pose a risk to children.

Working within a dynamic, fast-paced team environment, the role requires sound judgement and expertise in risk-based assessment, with the ability to prepare timely, high-quality recommendations relating to suspensions, prohibitions and other regulatory actions, and to collaborate with investigators, regulatory operations, legal, intelligence and policy teams to ensure worker-related matters are identified, assessed and actioned in a risk-based, child-centred manner.

The Regulatory Officer will:

• Conduct risk-based assessments of worker suitability matters and prepare high-quality recommendations and supporting documentation for regulatory actions, including suspensions and prohibitions


• Contribute to compliance and assurance programs that improve the accuracy, completeness and operational integrity of the Early Childhood Workforce Register


• Build and sustain effective relationships with internal teams and external co-regulators, including the Victorian Institute of Teaching and the Social Services Regulator, to facilitate collaboration and information sharing


• Contribute to briefs, decision documentation, correspondence and reports tailored to different audiences


• Support initiatives that build sector awareness of worker suitability obligations under the National Law and Child Safe Standard 6, including child-safe recruitment, induction, training and ongoing oversight of workers and volunteers


• Contribute to an inclusive, high-performing team culture

Experience

The incumbent in this role will ideally have experience in a regulatory environment and in applying legal and regulatory frameworks, bringing a strong understanding of the unique challenges for regulation in sensitive contexts. Given the nature of worker suitability matters, the incumbent will maintain a high level of discretion, integrity and judgement, and will be confident making timely, risk-based assessments and recommendations. The incumbent will also bring excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, defensible decision documentation and tailor writing to specific audiences, including delegates and the executive.

Attributes

• Decision Making: Interprets and applies business plans and policies to own area of responsibility. Advice and analysis contribute to policy formulation. Defines the appropriate methodology in the analysis of policy or research options.


• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Resolves issues through deep understanding or interpretation of existing guidelines. Where guidelines are not available, analyzes ideas available and takes action through self, or in consultation with others to resolve problems. If required, determines additional information needed to make informed decisions. Applies critical thinking and problem-solving concepts in the right context.


• Stakeholder Management: Takes steps to add value for the client or stakeholder. Links people with other areas as appropriate. Constructively deals with stakeholder issues.

Qualifications

Essential: Experience working within a regulatory environment and in applying legal and regulatory frameworks

Essential: A valid Working with Children Check is required

Further Information

VECRA values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for VECRA, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the VECRA website and our Diversity and Inclusion page.

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about VECRA's operations and employment conditions can be located on the VECRA website.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Amy Rudolph, A/Manager Worker Suitability via ************@education.vic.gov.au.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to VECRA will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Applications close 11:59pm on 24 November 2026.