Careers at TAFE NSW

TAFE NSW Life-Changing Careers

Senior Policy Officer

Full-time temporary opportunity until October 2026

Location negotiable across NSW (subject to campus availability)

$198,784 annual package includes base salary of $176,043 plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading | TAFE Manager Level 2

At TAFE NSW, we are dedicated to life-changing impact.

That’s why we offer world-class training and education that delivers the skills needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

Life-changing impact starts with an incredible team that sees their career as an opportunity to transform someone’s world. Whether that’s inspiring students, supporting each other, or helping our communities and industries flourish. 

We live by TAFE NSW values: Customer Focus, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence. They define who we are, how we work and inspire our performance.   

We invest in our people

At TAFE NSW, you will discover a diverse, dynamic, and collaborative environment, where you can innovate, create value, and do meaningful work.

We provide you with tools and ongoing training and professional development, health and wellbeing programs, and a 35-hour working week with a variety of flexible working options.

About the role

The Senior Policy Officer is part of a collaborative, high-performing team driving the coordination, development and implementation of strategic policy and advice that enables key reform initiatives across the VET sector. Your work will contribute to decision-making across TAFE NSW and government stakeholders, helping shape thinking around some of the most significant changes in the sector.

In this role, you’ll lead key policy project activities, conduct research and analysis, and interpret complex legislation and VET sector developments to develop clear, actionable insights that inform policy direction. You will monitor the implementation and effectiveness of policy initiatives, identify risks and barriers, and formulate expert advice and practical recommendations to support outcomes.

You will manage complex policy enquiries and support engagement with stakeholders including NSW Treasury, the NSW Department of Education, and Ministerial offices. You'll deliver high-quality, evidence-based policy outputs, such as briefings, submissions and correspondence, that contribute to large-scale reform and align with organisational priorities.

About You 

You’re a demonstrated, influential leader who thrives in dynamic and complex environments and takes ownership and accountability of your work. You’re analytical and a broad-context thinker who can confidently navigate complex and evolving policy landscapes.

You bring experience working within the NSW Government or a similar public sector environment and are a strong collaborator across departments and agencies to support strategic plans and outcomes.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment where their insights and expertise contribute to meaningful, lasting change.

To find out more about the role, click to view the Position Description.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a culturally safe and accessible workplace where dignity, trust, respect, and the promotion of diversity and inclusion are valued, so you can safely bring your whole self to work and connect with your community through our many diverse employee networks. If you require an adjustment in the recruitment process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Lead listed below.

A career of life-changing impact awaits you. Apply now!

To apply for this role, click on 'apply now' and provide:

• Your current resume; and
• Responses to the two targeted questions when prompted in the application form (max 300 words per question).

Targeted Question 1: Using a relevant work-related example, how do you influence a range of stakeholders on a new area or topic, despite not having prior engagement or existing connections in place?

Targeted Question 2: Using a recent work-related example, how do you ensure you are able to meet deadlines and provide high-quality outputs in a high-pressure environment?

Applications close Sunday 14 September 2025 (11:55pm AEST)

Role-specific enquiries: contact Ross Manford, A/Director Policy at ross.manford1@tafensw.edu.au or 0472 863 477

General recruitment or adjustment enquiries: contact Kristie Taig, Talent Acquisition Lead, at kristie.taig2@tafensw.edu.au or 02 7921 3984.

For helpful insights into preparing your application, TAFE NSW’s recruitment process, and getting interview ready, read through our Application Process and the interactive Capability Application Tool.  

This is a child-related position. A Working with Children Check is a prerequisite for anyone in child-related work. It involves a national criminal history check and review of findings of workplace misconduct. 

To be eligible for positions at TAFE NSW, you need to be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Australia or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand passport.

An eligibility list, valid for 18 months, may be created for this position, and position(s) of the same classification that subsequently becomes vacant, may be filled via this recruitment. 

Location is negotiable across our TAFE NSW campuses. Please note your preferred campus location is not guaranteed and is subject to campus availability at the time of offer. 

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