Principal Policy Officer

About Us

The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone’s experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government.  We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses.  We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.  

You can find out more about our Ministers, leadership and entities here: Department of Government Services. 

About the Branch/Group

The purpose of this group is to make it easier for customers and businesses to engage with government. It is accountable for strategy and policy development, regulatory design, sector support, program design and the delivery of regulatory services to – and in the best interests of – Victorians. It aims to provide consistently great customer experiences in the delivery of scalable, efficient and effective services. It manages the delivery of services with a balance of expertise and speed, while driving the digital transformation of those services.

About the Role

The Principal Policy Officer is accountable for the timely development and implementation of high-quality legislative and regulatory reform proposals, legal policy advice on a range of complex matters, drafting Cabinet submissions, guidance, strategies and other policy documents.

The role will direct major legislation, regulation and statutory review projects, ensuring alignment with the department's objectives, and guaranteeing successful delivery within specified timelines, budgetary constraints, and quality requirements. The role will collaborate closely with other staff, coordinating their activities, and supervising their output to ensure maximum productivity and goal realisation.

Utilising your leadership and adept communication skills, you will deliver appropriate and timely advice in a dynamic environment. By applying sound knowledge of relevant statutory frameworks, your role includes leading in complex policy areas, quickly understanding new subjects and developing a broad range of portfolio expertise. Strong team leadership, interpersonal skills and a commitment to collaboration are essential for success in this role.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide high quality, authoritative and comprehensive advice to departmental senior executives and the government on policy issues and delivery of government priorities.
• Effectively lead a project and direct policy officers to contribute to the preparation of policy products, including Cabinet submissions, Parliamentary documents, reports, briefing and options papers, drafting instructions, regulations, Executive Council documentation, Legislative Impact Assessments and/or Regulatory Impact Statements for a variety of audiences.
• Apply advanced legislation/policy expertise in a regulatory environment to manage policy agenda and program initiatives. Roles include program management, risk mitigation, progress tracking, and coordination of interdependent projects with DGS and with key stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with other staff to build and maintain a positive team culture that promotes the VPS values, is supportive of innovation and respects diversity.
• Contribute advanced expertise and knowledge to strategic planning and decision-making processes.
• Initiate and manage internal and external stakeholder consultations and negotiations to gain commitment to the policy agenda and program initiatives, and delivery of activities to meet timelines.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Regulatory Policy and undertake allocated tasks in line with flexible working model.

About You

We are seeking applicants who have demonstrated experience from the following criteria:

• Knowledge and proficiency: Highly developed knowledge and experience of public policy, law and procedure, especially regarding consumer affairs, renters and local government issues.
• Policy and Projects: Demonstrated experience leading successful delivery of complex projects in a government, policy, or legislative environment and in drafting legislative products (e.g. regulations and/or legislative instruments)
• Communicate with Impact: Identifies key messages and information required for decision-making; provides high level advice on influencing and the needs of target audiences; provides advice on the content and style appropriate to the audience.
• Working Collaboratively: Build a culture of collaboration across the organisation; looks for and facilitates opportunities to collaborate with external stakeholders; identifies and overcomes barriers to communication with internal and external stakeholders.

This role is an ongoing position. This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

For more information, please see the Position Description

How to apply 

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on Sunday, 15 November 2026. All applications should include:  

·       a resume; and  

·       a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages).

Other relevant information

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing role is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.  Preferred applicants will be required to undertake pre-employment screening. DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.