Senior Policy Officer

Australian Energy Regulator; Canberra; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is seeking a Senior Policy Officer to support the Assistant Director and Director of the Ring-fencing team. You will conduct rigorous research, apply ring-fencing frameworks to waiver applications, and analyze the interplay with the service classification framework.

This role requires clear judgment and strong analytical capability. You will contribute to written materials for board papers and stakeholder communications, manage information assets, and work

Responsibilities

• Independently conduct research and reporting activities, exercising sound judgement to identify and assess relevant information to produce accurate advice based on evidence.
• Undertake analytical and investigative activities to inform ring-fencing matters, including gathering relevant information and data to support the development of recommended positions for ring-fencing waiver applications.
• Undertake administrative processes for consultation with stakeholders and assist with assessments of stakeholder submissions on ring-fencing issues.
• Contribute to the development of written material as directed, for example: Board and Markets Committee papers, waiver assessment decisions, stakeholder correspondence.
• Contribute to the delivery of projects in a geographically dispersed work environment with clear direction and support.
• Lead on the management of the collection, use and storage of information associated with the ring-fencing team’s iManage folders.
• Australian Citizenship – our successful candidate must be an Australian Citizen
• Security clearance – our successful candidate is required to hold, or have the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the required level
• Employment check – your suitability for employment will be assessed through a screening process.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Policy research

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Employees are required to work in the office a minimum 2 days per week

Learn how a merit list or pool may be used

Applicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy, may be placed in a merit list or pool. If the applicant agrees, the results may be shared with other Australian Public Service (APS) agencies for filling similar roles. Applicants may be offered a future role, without the need to reapply. A merit list or pool may be used for up to 18 months.

This merit list or pool may be used to fill other vacancies anywhere in Australia.

For more information about Merit Lists or Merit Pools please go to APSC's website - The APS Merit Principle

The Senior Policy Officer supports the Assistant Director and/or Director of the Ring-fencing team in conducting analytical and reporting activities that contribute to AER’s purpose to make energy consumers better off, now and in the future. The successful candidate would be required to conduct robust research and analysis, apply the ring-fencing framework to assess waiver applications, and understand the inter-relationship between ring-fencing and the service classification framework.

The key duties of the position include:

The Senior Policy Officer will perform some or all the following duties with direction from the Assistant Director and/or Director:

• Independently conduct research and reporting activities, exercising sound judgement to identify and assess relevant information to produce accurate advice based on evidence.
• Undertake analytical and investigative activities to inform ring-fencing matters, including gathering relevant information and data to support the development of recommended positions for ring-fencing waiver applications.
• Undertake administrative processes for consultation with stakeholders and assist with assessments of stakeholder submissions on ring-fencing issues.
• Contribute to the development of written material as directed, for example: Board and Markets Committee papers, waiver assessment decisions, stakeholder correspondence.
• Contribute to the delivery of projects in a geographically dispersed work environment with clear direction and support.
• Lead on the management of the collection, use and storage of information associated with the ring-fencing team’s iManage folders.
• Australian Citizenship – our successful candidate must be an Australian Citizen
• Security clearance – our successful candidate is required to hold, or have the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the required level
• Employment check – your suitability for employment will be assessed through a screening process.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability . This initiative/program is only applicable where the successful applicant will be employed under the Public Service Act 1999. Similar conditions may apply when employed under other Acts. For clarification please contact the advertising agency.

Getting to know the Australian Energy Regulator

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) works to make energy consumers better off, now and in the future. We focus on ensuring a secure, reliable and affordable energy future for Australia as it transitions to net zero emissions.We regulate electricity networks and covered gas pipelines, in all jurisdictions except Western Australia. We set the amount of revenue that network businesses can recover from customers for using these networks.From 1 July 2026, the AER structurally separated from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and transitioned into a standalone non-corporate Commonwealth entity with its own accountable authority, staff and budgetary control.The separation of the AER from the ACCC is a significant regulatory reform aimed at improving the governance and operational autonomy of the AER.