Senior Data Analyst

State Government of Victoria, Australia; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

State Government of Victoria, Australia is seeking a Senior Data Analyst to join the Attendance Policy Reform Team in Melbourne (CBD and Inner Metro). The role focuses on shaping kindergarten attendance policy by building the Attendance Reporting Framework and translating policy questions into analytical projects.

You will work with colleagues to link data, update datasets for 2026 attendance, and contribute to governance papers for stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Desirable: Relevant tertiary qualifications and experience.

Responsibilities

• Identify and provide strategic leadership on attendance-related policy and program settings to support children's attendance and inclusion in kindergarten.
• Develop an Attendance Reporting Framework for kindergartens and translate policy questions into analytical projects.
• Collaborate with department colleagues to link data (ABS, Child Care Subsidy) and relevant service-level data.
• Support governance papers and guidance for stakeholders.
• Communicate findings clearly to decision-makers and inform policy initiatives.

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DE/ECE/1948077

Shape the future of kindergarten! Join our Attendance Policy Reform Team as a Senior Data Analyst, turning data and insights into policy that helps every child thrive.

An exciting opportunity exists for a passionate and driven Senior Data Analyst to join the Attendance Policy Reform Team on a fixed-term basis until 30 June 2027.

Use your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to shape the kindergarten attendance policy and develop the Attendance Reporting Framework. This work will ensure that children reap the benefits from a quality early childhood education.

About the Role

The Senior Data Analyst will identify and provide strategic leadership on attendance-related policy and program settings that support children's attendance and inclusion in kindergarten. Ensuring these initiatives are aligned with Early Childhood Group priorities and broader departmental objectives.

Within the newly established Attendance Policy Reform Unit, the Senior Data Analyst will lead the development of an Attendance Reporting Framework for kindergartens.

In addition to designing and developing the inaugural Attendance Reporting Framework, the role requires an experienced Senior Data Analyst that will:

• Work collaboratively with department colleagues in supporting ABS data linkage of Child Care Subsidy Long Day Care attendance data.
• Update data linkage with 2026 attendance data and with relevant service-level data (e.g. School Readiness Funding, quality rating), child-level cohort data (e.g. children with additional needs, Out-of-Home-Care, Children Known to Child Protection), child-level supports (Kindergarten Inclusion Support, Preschool Field Officer Program, Flexible Support Package) and Foundation attendance rates.
• Support the Senior Policy Officers by inputting into governance papers and guidance for stakeholders.
• Ability to translate policy questions into analytical projects, and communicate findings clearly to decision-makers.

The role entails working closely with other colleagues in the department to develop insights from attendance data and research to inform policy initiatives.

Employment type: Full time -Fixed-term (until 30 June 2027)

Attributes

Refer to the Position Description

Qualifications and Experience

• Desirable: Relevant tertiary qualifications and experience

About the Division

The Early Learning Practice and Participation (ELPAP)Division guides, supports, and inspires high quality educational practice that improves the learning and development outcomes of Victoria's young children in government funded early learning programs. The Division's work is underpinned by a commitment to ensuring that all children are able to access, be included in, and engage with early learning. ELPAP leads operational policy and program development to deliver high quality, inclusive kindergarten programs and to support participation for children experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, those who stand to benefit most from early learning.

The Division is also responsible for the delivery of professional practice supports and quality initiatives for kindergarten and Pre-Prep aligned to the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and National Quality Framework (NQF).

To carry out this work, the Division is organised into two branches: the Early Learning Participation Branch and the Professional Practice Branch. Together, these branches lead work across several key focus areas:

• Delivering practice q uality enablers that improve workforce retention and recognition
• Developing and implementing participation and inclusion supports for all children
• Implementing needs-based funding for kindergartens
• Working with system partners to proactively identify and connect children who might otherwise miss out on kindergarten, ensuring their enrolment and attendance

This role sits within the Early Learning Participation Branch.

About the Department

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.

The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The department 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 the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au .

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Christina Costa, Manager, Attendance Policy Reform Unit via [phone] or [e-mail]

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

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g. large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Tuesday, 06 October 2026

Applications close Tuesday 6 October 2026 at 11.59pm