Senior Policy Advisor

About this role

The Victorian Registration & Qual Authority (VRQA) is the Victorian schools, apprenticeships and traineeships regulator, a statutory entity with independent functions that is part of the Department of Education, also reporting to an independent board. The Schools Division of the VRQA is responsible for registering all Victorian schools, and in the process ensuring they meet child safety and other obligations. It is also responsible for undertaking reviews of schools and other related providers to ensure they are continuing to meet their obligations. It works closely with a range of external stakeholders to deliver this function, including applicants wishing to become school proprietors, existing schools, various areas of the Department of Education, the Victorian Catholic Education Authority, Independent Schools Victoria, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, other national and state regulators and independent reviewers the VRQA engages. About the Role The Senior Policy Advisor will support the functions of a new team which include: • Education functions, to drive voluntary compliance with the minimum standards • Trend and risk identification, including through data analysis, to help identify where to direct our focus • The development and implementation of a new program of short notice inspections/visits to monitor ongoing compliance • Responding to and working with co-regulators on child safety incidents • Project management to support the new and enhanced functions delivered by the team. You will be involved in the policy and education function of the team, helping schools and other providers understand and meet their obligations by designing and developing suitable accessible materials and engagement strategies. You will also provide input into other policy development processes and have close engagement with the education and policy functions in other child-safety-related regulators and parts of government, aiming to maximise collective impact through effective collaboration. The role may also be involved in other functions of the team, including analysing materials to determine child safety risks. You may manage a policy advisor. You will play a key role in ensuring that students receive a quality education in safe and well governed environments. Attributes You are a collaborative team player with excellent analytical, communication (including written) and policy development skills. Desirable Qualifications and Experience You have experience in policy and/or communications in a government setting. Experience in regulation, compliance, assurance, legal or child-safety settings will also be highly regarded, as will management experience. It is a condition of ongoing employment that successful candidates hold a valid Victorian Working with Children Check. Further Information For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application. The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person. Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au . For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Annie Tinney via email at [email protected] . Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence. Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements. Applications close 11:59pm on Monday 10 August 2026.