Senior Policy Officer

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action VIC; Victoria; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action VIC seeks a Senior Policy Officer, Energy Consumer Policy, to lead policy research and deliver advice on transparency, protections and affordability in Victoria’s energy retail market.

The successful candidate will develop and implement policy, identify emerging issues, and deliver clear policy guidance. A background in energy policy, law or economics is highly desirable, with hybrid work within Victoria on offer.

Qualifications

• Excellent written communication and organisational skills; ability to prioritise and deliver within tight timeframes; strong critical thinking ability.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy research and provide advice on energy consumer protections and affordability.
• Translate market challenges into practical reforms benefiting Victorian households.
• Collaborate across reforms including Midday Power Saver and Victorian Default Offer.

Skills

Policy development

Written communication

Critical thinking

Policy implementation

Education

Tertiary qualification in economics, law or energy-related field

Job description

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action VIC – Victoria

The Senior Policy Officer, Energy Consumer Policy, is responsible for leading the delivery of high-quality policy research and advice on issues to support transparency, consumer protections and affordability in Victoria’s energy retail market. The successful candidate will have strong policy development and implementation skills. The candidate will have the capacity to identify and respond to current and emerging issues in a planned and strategic manner, independently undertake complex research and analysis, and deliver clear policy advice.

The Energy Consumer Policy team works at the centre of Victoria’s energy transition, developing and delivering reforms that make the energy retail market fairer, more affordable and better able to protect consumers. The team’s current work spans major reforms including the Midday Power Saver, a new regulated offer giving eligible Victorian households access to three hours of no-cost electricity each day; consumer protection reforms to strengthen Victoria’s energy retail framework and help consumers access better offers; and policy relating to the Victorian Default Offer, which provides an important safeguard for consumers who are unable or choose not to engage in the retail market. The team works across complex policy, regulatory and implementation issues, translating emerging challenges in the energy market into practical reforms that deliver tangible benefits for Victorian households.

Excellent written communication and organisational skills, proven ability to prioritise and deliver within tight timeframes, demonstrated experience with government processes and strong critical thinking ability are also required. A background in energy policy, law or economics is highly desirable.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification/s in economics, law or an energy-related field is highly desirable.
• Experience with government processes and operations in policy development and delivery is desirable.
• Knowledge of, and experience with electricity and gas retail markets and energy retail pricing is highly desirable OR consumer energy frameworks and protections.

This is a fixed term position available for a period of 36 Months. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria with hybrid work arrangements available.

Applications close 11.59pm on Wednesday, 14 October 2026.

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 ***************@deeca.vic.gov.au.

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.

• We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing.