The department supports workplace diversity and values the contribution of people from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, and LGBTQIA+ people. The department is committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women’s progression into senior leadership.

A little bit about us

Are you interested in working with all levels of government on complex priority reform and innovation, or building industry resilience and productivity? Are you interested in how freight moves around the country? Have you ever wondered how the supermarket shelves remain stocked during a crisis? Then these roles are for you!
We are looking for people who can think strategically, who like to solve wicked problems and work with a wide range of stakeholders and who want to make a difference. There are current and anticipated opportunities in the Land Transport Policy branch.
The positions provide the opportunity to build policy development skills in collaborative and supportive teams.
The branch is supportive of flexible work arrangements.

The opportunity we have available

The Land Transport Policy Branch is a dedicated, energetic and forward-thinking team with current and anticipated vacancies for Assistant Directors at the EL1 level. The Land Transport Policy Branch contributes to the broad range of reforms and work to improve the safety, productivity and resilience of Australia’s rail, heavy vehicle and freight system.
The current vacancies are strategic policy roles, with potential upcoming roles with a program management focus.

Some things our team say about working in Land Transport Policy:

“The branch has been really supportive about my move interstate. The leadership team did everything they could to make the transition as easy as possible.”

“I felt super welcomed when joining the branch. My colleagues are super helpful and I enjoy being able to chat to people across different streams of work.”

“The Branch allowed me to explore a diverse breadth of work and refine my skill sets. I have had the opportunity to lead work in critical programs and Australian Government priorities.”

We are looking for enthusiastic policy and program experts with an interest in working with key stakeholders to progress important reforms and improve the safety, productivity and resilience of Australia’s national supply chain for Australian communities, and national and local economies.

What will you do?

The roles are varied and dynamic. In these roles, you will have the opportunity to:

• Influence the strategic direction of national policies.

• Develop and implement policies critical to Australia’s ongoing economic prosperity in the land transport sectors.

• Develop accurate and well-presented briefings and policy advice for the Minister and senior officials.

• Develop formal advice to the Executive and Government, such as Cabinet submissions and proposals for new policies, programs and legislation.

• Analyse and provide research-based evidence on important issues to support the Government in progressing national priorities in land transport.

• Engage in Commonwealth-State relations and delivery of policy outcomes through the Infrastructure and Transport Ministers’ Meeting and Infrastructure and Transport Senior Officials’ Committee.

• Engage with a range of internal and external stakeholders to drive outcomes and support collaborative relationships within the Department, state and territory governments, transport bodies, industry and community groups.

• Manage contracts and procurements to support projects.

• Supervise and mentor junior members of the team and contribute to a positive culture across the branch.

  
  

Who are we looking for?

The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the Executive level 1 Work level standards.

To be successful in the role, you will need to demonstrate your ability to:

• Deliver strategic policy advice and shape and influence policy development.

• Ability to develop and manage productive relationships with stakeholders to achieve goals and anticipate and respond to stakeholder needs and expectations.

• Demonstrated experience in navigating complexity and uncertainty with personal drive, sound judgement and integrity.

• A high standard of written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyse policy issues and brief concisely and persuasively.

• Experience and leadership skills to inspire team members to strive for the best outcomes.

  
  

RecruitAbility minimum requirements

Minimum requirements for this role include:

• Demonstrated ability to deliver strategic policy advice and shape and influence policy development

• Ability to develop and manage productive relationships with stakeholders to achieve goals and anticipate and respond to stakeholder needs and expectations.

• Demonstrated experience in navigating complexity and uncertainty with personal drive, sound judgement and integrity.

• A high standard of communication skills, with the ability to analyse policy issues and brief concisely and persuasively.

• Skills to inspire team members to strive for the best outcomes.

  
  

RecruitAbility is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.

Job applicants with disability who met the requirements are advanced to the next stage of the selection process:

• Opt into the scheme

• Declare they have a disability, and

• Meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised in the scheme

More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.

What else can we offer?

The roles offer the successful applicant:

• the opportunity to develop policy in areas of national importance.

• the opportunity to work with a range of stakeholders across industry, other Commonwealth Departments and also other jurisdictions.

• the opportunity to influence a range of whole-of-government, forward looking policy agendas which have a direct impact on the Australian public and industry.

• Flexible working arrangements, including part time hours, home based work and job sharing.

• Generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month’s accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.

  
  

We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering you to set goals and acquire new skills. Some of the benefits we offer are:

• Access to our Studies Assistance Program, which provides paid leave and financial support for you to further your professional skills and knowledge.

• Mentoring through the department’s Professional Coaching Scheme.

  
  

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.

• Health Assessment: The preferred applicant may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.

• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.

  
  

Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.

If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.

Applications open: 10 March 2025

Applications close: 31 March 2025

Application shortlisting: 3 April 2025

Further assessments: 14 April 2025

Selection report finalised: 30 April 2025

Offers and announcements: 5 May 2025

The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.

Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job and the Work level standards. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants.

How to apply

Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEDT, Monday 31 March 2025

In applying for this position, you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather, you should provide in a PDF document a statement of no more than 1 (one) page outlining your background, capabilities and experiences, and how these align with the advertised role. You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF, no more than 4 (four) pages. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the ‘Who are we looking for’ section.

Your application should be received through the department’s online recruitment system. Applications via Indeed will not be accepted.

If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team on 02 6136 8989 or via email at recruitment@infrastructure.gov.au to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.

Please advise the contact officer if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The department is committed to the accessibility of our systems. If you identify as someone with disability and you require accessibility assistance or more information, please email DiversityandInclusion@infrastructure.gov.au

Work with us. Apply now!