Senior Adviser, Policy and Advocacy

St Vincent's Health Australia Limited; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Learning & development

Employee Assistance Program

Fitness Passport

Supportive culture

Job summary

St Vincent's Health Australia is seeking a policy, government relations or public affairs professional to advance our advocacy agenda at a national level. Reporting to the National Director, Communications and Public Affairs, you will develop evidence-based positions, brief senior leaders and engage with government departments and parliamentarians to shape health and aged care policy.

You will lead policy analysis, prepare submissions and briefing papers, and coordinate with clinical leaders to

Qualifications

• Significant experience in public policy, government relations, public affairs, parliament, government, a peak body or a similarly complex environment.
• Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information and develop practical, evidence-based recommendations.
• Outstanding writing and communication skills, including experience preparing policy papers, submissions, executive briefings and advocacy materials.
• Strong understanding of government, parliamentary and policy processes and the factors that influence public policy outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders and work collaboratively across a complex organisation.
• Sound judgement, political awareness, initiative and a high level of attention to detail.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in public policy, political science, law, communications, health, public administration or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in the health, aged care, hospital, community services or broader social policy sectors will be highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive policy positions, submissions, briefing papers and advocacy materials that reflect St Vincent’s strategic priorities and are informed by frontline experience, evidence and research.
• Provide high-quality policy analysis, strategic advice and recommendations to support executive decision-making on health, aged care and related policy issues.
• Support the delivery of SVHA’s national advocacy and government relations agenda, including preparing briefs, key messages, talking points and engagement materials for senior leaders.
• Build and maintain constructive relationships with government departments, ministers’ offices, parliamentarians, peak bodies and other external stakeholders.
• Monitor and analyse legislative, parliamentary and policy developments, identifying emerging risks, opportunities and advocacy priorities for the organisation.
• Coordinate and support participation in parliamentary inquiries, consultations, roundtables, hearings and stakeholder forums.
• Collaborate with leaders, clinicians and subject matter experts across the organisation to develop evidence-based positions and ensure a coordinated organisational voice.
• Partner with communications and public affairs colleagues to align policy, advocacy and stakeholder engagement activities with broader organisational objectives.
• Working across some of the most important issues facing Australia\'s health and aged care sectors, you will help ensure St Vincent\'s frontline experience, expertise and values are reflected in public policy, funding reform and system-wide decision-making.

Skills

Public policy experience

Government relations

Policy analysis

Research skills

Written communication

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Strategic thinking

Education

Public policy/related degree

Job description

About St Vincent's Health Australia

At St Vincent's Health Australia (SVHA), we are shaping a future health and aged care system that supports people with life-changing care, wherever and whoever they are. Founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1857, St Vincent's is one of Australia's leading not-for-profit health and aged care organisations. Our 30,000 dedicated people provide compassionate care through public and private hospitals, aged care residences, virtual care and services delivered at home across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Our vision is for every person to receive excellent and compassionate care through a better and fairer health and aged care system. Together, we are focused on enhancing our impact, connecting care and transforming the system. Our work is grounded in our values of Compassion, Justice, Integrity and Excellence.

About The Opportunity

Reporting to the National Director, Communications and Public Affairs, you will play a pivotal role in advancing SVHA’s policy and advocacy agenda. You will provide strategic policy advice, develop evidence-based positions, support government engagement activities, and work closely with senior leaders to influence public policy and sector reform. This is an ideal opportunity for a policy, government relations or public affairs professional who is passionate about creating meaningful change and is looking to make a tangible impact through one of Australia's most respected healthcare organisations.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and drive policy positions, submissions, briefing papers and advocacy materials that reflect St Vincent’s strategic priorities and are informed by frontline experience, evidence and research.

Provide high-quality policy analysis, strategic advice and recommendations to support executive decision-making on health, aged care and related policy issues.

Support the delivery of SVHA’s national advocacy and government relations agenda, including preparing briefs, key messages, talking points and engagement materials for senior leaders.

Build and maintain constructive relationships with government departments, ministers’ offices, parliamentarians, peak bodies and other external stakeholders.

Monitor and analyse legislative, parliamentary and policy developments, identifying emerging risks, opportunities and advocacy priorities for the organisation.

Coordinate and support participation in parliamentary inquiries, consultations, roundtables, hearings and stakeholder forums.

Collaborate with leaders, clinicians and subject matter experts across the organisation to develop evidence-based positions and ensure a coordinated organisational voice.

Partner with communications and public affairs colleagues to align policy, advocacy and stakeholder engagement activities with broader organisational objectives.

Working across some of the most important issues facing Australia's health and aged care sectors, you will help ensure St Vincent's frontline experience, expertise and values are reflected in public policy, funding reform and system-wide decision-making.

About You

You're a critical thinker with a passion for shaping public policy that delivers meaningful outcomes for communities. You thrive in dynamic environments, can quickly navigate complex issues, and bring the credibility, communication skills and strategic mindset needed to influence decision makers, ultimately driving impactful advocacy outcomes. Accordingly, it is anticipated you will bring:

• Significant experience in public policy, government relations, public affairs, parliament, government, a peak body or a similarly complex environment.
• Excellent research, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information and develop practical, evidence-based recommendations.
• Outstanding writing and communication skills, including experience preparing policy papers, submissions, executive briefings and advocacy materials.
• Strong understanding of government, parliamentary and policy processes and the factors that influence public policy outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders and work collaboratively across a complex organisation.
• Sound judgement, political awareness, initiative and a high level of attention to detail.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in public policy, political science, law, communications, health, public administration or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in the health, aged care, hospital, community services or broader social policy sectors will be highly regarded.

Why Join St Vincent's?

Because like us, you believe in our vision that every person, whoever and wherever they are, is served with excellent and compassionate care, by a better and fairer health and aged care system. Better for all our employees and volunteers, who work tirelessly to provide the highest levels of care and quality of life for our patients and clients. And better support for the local communities we play an important role in and continue to support.

Join a purpose-driven organisation. Support healthcare services that improve the lives of patients, residents and communities across Australia. Make a direct impact on healthcare operations. Contribute to the financial sustainability and effectiveness of one of Australia's largest not-for-profit healthcare providers. Develop your healthcare revenue expertise. Gain exposure to Health Fund billing, Medicare requirements, revenue optimisation and private hospital funding models. Work with experienced healthcare professionals. Collaborate with revenue specialists, Health Information Services, clinical teams and Health Fund representatives. Flexible and values-driven culture. Join a supportive and inclusive environment committed to continuous improvement and professional growth.

Excellent benefits

Access a range of benefits designed to support your financial wellbeing, professional growth and work-life balance,

• salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
• ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support
• Fitness Passport access
• a supportive, values-driven workplace culture.

Important Information

Employment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including identification, right-to-work, reference and nationally coordinated criminal history checks. The successful applicant must also comply with applicable St Vincent's Health Australia screening and immunisation requirements. St Vincent's Health Australia welcomes people from all backgrounds and beliefs. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and empowered to contribute their unique experiences.

Closing Date: 24 November 2026 11:59pm

Reconciliation Action Plan

At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. For further information, visit https://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at [e-mail]

St Vincent’s Health Australia has been serving Australians with compassionate health and aged care since our first hospital was established in Sydney in 1857. Founded by the Sisters of Charity more than 180 years ago, St Vincent’s is a clinical, research and education leader delivering private hospital, public hospital and aged care services across NSW, VIC and QLD. Our founder, Mary Aikenhead’s vision, commitment and inspiration lives on in us and the work we do. From modest beginnings, St Vincent’s Health Australia is today the nation’s largest not-for-profit health and aged care provider, offering services in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, including public and private hospitals and aged care facilities. The St Vincent’s family comprises 22,000 outstanding nurses, researchers, cooks, doctors, executives, administrators, cleaners, volunteers and more.