Senior Policy Officer

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Flexible hours

Job sharing

Job summary

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action is seeking a Senior Policy Officer to lead key projects in the food regulatory system across meat, seafood, dairy and broader agriculture sectors. You will advise the Minister for Agriculture and senior executives, shaping policy, governance, and potential legislative reform.

The role requires strong writing, project management, and stakeholder relationship skills to deliver concise, strategic guidance grounded in risk and cost-benefit

Qualifications

• Excellent writing skills
• Strong project management experience
• Ability to build productive stakeholder relationships

Responsibilities

• Lead several projects concerning the food regulatory system and advise on policy and governance matters.
• Contribute to proposals to change the Food Standards Code and address food safety policy issues.
• Provide succinct, clear, strategic advice informed by risks, costs and benefits.

Skills

Understanding of agriculture and food

Education

Relevant tertiary degree in public policy, law, economics, nutrition, or food/agricultural sciences

Job description

Reporting to Manager Food Regulatory Policy, the Senior Policy Officer is part of a multidisciplinary team that provides advice to the Minister for Agriculture and senior executive about food safety policy and regulation that applies to meat, seafood, dairy and broader agriculture sectors. This position is responsible for leading several projects concerning the food regulatory system, including projects relevant to Victorian regulators (Safe Food Victoria and Agriculture Victoria) and the bi-national food regulatory system. The position will also contribute to proposals to change the Food Standards Code; food safety policy issues; legislative reform; and governance matters.

The successful applicant will be excited about opportunities to grow the agriculture and food industries and the role of best-practice regulation to achieve this. The ideal candidate will have excellent writing skills, strong project management experience and the skills to build productive stakeholder relationships. Most importantly, the Senior Policy Officer will have the ability to provide succinct, clear, strategic advice informed by an understanding of risks, costs and benefit.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary degree in public policy, law, economics, nutrition, or food or agricultural sciences would be well regarded.
• Anunderstanding of agricultureand foodindustriesis desirable .

This is an ongoing position. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

Applications close 11.59pm on Thursday, 29 October 2026.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace. If you need support to participate, please contact [e-mail] .

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing. For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us.