Senior Policy Officer

Australian Energy Regulator; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Policy Officer role at Australian Energy Regulator focuses on analytical and reporting duties to support ring-fencing decisions and service classification alignment. The position collaborates with the Assistant Director or Director to apply the ring-fencing framework and contribute to waiver assessments.

The successful candidate will handle robust research, data collection, and the preparation of materials for internal and board discussions, while coordinating with stakeholders in a

Responsibilities

• Independently conduct research and reporting activities, exercising sound judgement to produce accurate advice based on evidence.
• Undertake analytical and investigative activities to inform ring-fencing matters and support waiver recommendations.
• Manage stakeholder consultation processes and assess submissions on ring-fencing issues.
• Contribute to written material for boards and committee papers and waiver decisions.
• Support delivery of projects across a dispersed work environment with clear direction.
• Oversee the collection, use and storage of information in the team’s iManage folders.

Job description

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.

Eligibility

• 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.

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.