Senior Policy Officer, Planned Care Access & Accountability

Department of Health; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Health in Victoria is seeking a Senior Policy Officer, Planned Care Accountability to lead policy initiatives within the Planned Care Accountability team. You will analyse waitlists, assess service impacts and inform performance decisions to improve system accountability.

You will work with public health services to implement programs, build strong stakeholder relationships and manage cross‑disciplinary projects, with a focus on specialist clinic accountability during 2026–27.

Qualifications

• Experience in developing and delivering complex policy projects.
• Ability to provide policy options and recommendations to senior management.
• Knowledge of government and health sector delivery is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Leading and contributing to complex policy development and projects to ensure outputs are delivered within timeframes and budget.
• Provide high quality policy advice, options and recommendations to senior management and government based on research and analysis.
• Proactively build and maintain effective working relationships and facilitate information flow across the department and with external stakeholders.
• Work across multiple projects, engaging stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams to meet emerging demands.

Skills

Policy development

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Education

Tertiary qualification in health/public policy/management

Job description

Senior Policy Officer, Planned Care Access & Accountability

The Department of Health plays a critical role in the Victorian health system and is responsible for shaping it to meet the health needs of all Victorians. We’re focused on
supporting Victorians to be as healthy as they can; whether through alerting them to seasonal risks like thunderstorm asthma, notifying them of contact with
communicable diseases, safeguarding their drinking water, developing the best health, wellbeing and care facilities in the world, being at the forefront of mental health and
wellbeing treatment or accelerating medical research. It’s all part of the way we partner with the community to help every individual lead a healthy life.

About the role:

The Senior Policy Officer, Planned Care Accountability, will support and lead key responsibilities within the Planned Care Accountability team working with a growing number ESIS reporting health services to improve overall system accountability through partnership, support and intervention aligned with the planned care accountability frameworks, policies and guidelines. This is supported by data analysis to better understand waitlist composition, service impacts and inform performance decisions.

Demonstrating relevant experience and expertise in health system accountability, robust project management and monitoring, and stakeholder engagement, this role will have the opportunity to lead work with public health services to implement programs that support planned care activity. This role has a strong focus towards developing and improving specialist clinic accountability in 2026-27.

About you:

Develops practical solutions to complex problems

• Leading and contributing to complex policy development and projects to ensure high-quality outputs are delivered within agreed timeframes and budget, and results can inform policy development.
• Provide high quality policy advice, options and recommendations to senior management and government based on comprehensive research and analysis.

Develops strong working relationships with government and health sector bodies

• Proactively build andmaintaineffective working relationships and facilitate the flow of information across the department and with key external stakeholders.
• Workacross multiple projects, including engaging with stakeholders, and working in multidisciplinary teams to meet emerging pressures and demands, asrequired.

Qualification(s)

A tertiary qualification in fields related to health, public policy, business and/or management, or health administration would be desirable.

Specialist Expertise

Knowledge and experience in government, health sector and/or health service delivery would be desirable, with skills and experience in policy/project management and implementation.

What we offer:

• The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enablingVictorians to be the healthiest people in the world.
• A wide range of growth and development opportunities within the department and wider Victorian Public Service.
• A strong commitment to work-life balance, including a diverse array of flexible working arrangements.

About us:

At the Victorian Department of Health we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive, our workplaces are productive and safe, and our communities are more connected.

We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe. And to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access safe, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all.

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated to provide responsive and quality services to all Victorians. We continue to build an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differe nces to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of all Victorians.

All roles can be worked flexibly and we encourage applications from Aboriginal people, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Please contact us if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process at*********@health.vic.gov.au. For more information on our commitment to inclusion and diversity seeinclusion and diversity at the Department of Health.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and other pre-employment checks. Information provided will be treated in line with our Privacy Policy.

If you have any queries in relation to participation in recruitment processes at Health, or experience any issues in applying, please feel free to email ***************@health.vic.gov.au. Please note that unsolicited applications from third parties cannot be accepted. If you have questions regarding the role, please message the contact person listed on the advertisement directly.