Policy Adviser

About Us

Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) serves the government by providing leadership in economic, financial and resource management. We influence outcomes that can have a real impact on people’s lives. We strive for excellence in financial and economic management to improve the lives of all Victorians. We value our people and motivate them to lead, influence, collaborate and innovate.  

DTF upholds and demonstrates the values of the VPS and is the embodiment of VPS leadership. DTF’s values are adopted from the Public Administration Act 2004:   

• Leadership                                                                                           

• Integrity  

• Responsiveness  

• Impartiality 

• Accountability  

• Respect  

• Commitment to Human Rights

About the Branch/Group

Industrial Relations Victoria (IRV) provides strategic industrial relations legislative, policy and technical advice to Government and departments.

IRV develops and reviews regulatory frameworks to support a positive industrial relations environment and fair and productive workplaces, secure work and gender pay equity.  

IRV also oversees industrial relations matters and enterprise bargaining policy and processes across the Victorian public sector. It works towards achieving a positive working environment through engagement with public sector employers, public sector workers and their representatives. 

The Private Sector Industrial Relations group provides expert and strategic advice to the Government on private sector industrial relations matters and legislation, workplace relations reforms, emerging issues and risks.  

It leads development and presentation of whole of government submissions to significant Commonwealth and State reviews and inquiries and advocates to the Commonwealth for improvements to the national industrial relations system.  

The group develops policy and legislation proposals in wide‑ranging workplace matters including on labour hire, portable long service, transport owner drivers, protections for insecure or vulnerable workers, integrity in public construction, and the future of work impacts such as workplace surveillance and AI. 

About the Role

This position is responsible for contributing to a range of policy and project support activities within the private sector team of Industrial Relations Victoria.

As a Policy Adviser, you will assist with policy analysis and co-ordination processes to inform the development of policy and legislation on key industrial relations issues impacting the private sector in Victoria. This may include provision of advice and support of major inquiries and reviews, including in relation to reforms to Fair Work laws, long service and portable long service legislation, and policy related to worker protections, gender equity, and new ways of working and emerging issues such as workplace surveillance.

In this role, you will be part of a high performing and supportive team providing support on project and policy advice to the Minister for Industrial Relations and senior executives.

This position requires you to work effectively as a member of a team, enjoy flexible working arrangements and undertake a wide variety of work across the division.

Key Accountabilities

• Conduct research and analysis on policy issues to develop solutions, proposals and recommendations on key industrial relations issues.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, Ministerial briefings, complex correspondence and submissions on industrial relations policy issues for the Minister for Industrial Relations, Secretary and senior officers.
• Assist in the development and implementation of policy and legislative proposals on a range of industrial relations matters affecting the private sector and the national workplace relations system, including Fair Work laws, worker protections.
• Build and maintain close relationships with other DTF Branches, Government departments and agencies and external stakeholders.
• Contribute and provide support to high level councils, inter-agency committees, and taskforces working on specific programs and projects.

About You

• We are seeking applicants who have demonstrated experience from the following criteria: Knowledge of and experience in the development of policy and a sound understanding of government processes.
• Experience preparing high-quality briefings and advice both verbally and in writing; including the ability to convey complex issues persuasively and effectively in plain language.
•  Sound research, conceptual and analytical skills.
• Ability to build and maintain productive and respectful networks and relationships with key stakeholders to support achievement of outcomes.
• Ability to manage simultaneous tasks and competing priorities to achieve team objectives with a strong attention to detail.

Mandatory requirements

• Tertiary qualifications in law, industrial relations or economics is highly desirable.
• Current knowledge and experience in workplace and industrial relations would be highly regarded.

This role is a fixed term position. This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

You must be an Australian citizen, as this role requires a security clearance.

For more information, please see the Position Description

How to apply 

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on 19 October 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. DTF 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 DTF can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.