APS6 - Senior Policy Officer, Digital Inclusion and Deployment Branch

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.

The opportunity we have available

About the Communications Infrastructure Division (CID)

The telecommunications sector is critical to Australia’s economy and society. Communications infrastructure such as the National Broadband Network helps Australians use digital technology to work remotely, learn online, and connect with services such as telehealth.

The Division is at the center of telecommunications policy development, and leads on advice to the Australian Government to enable all Australians to realise the benefits of digital technologies. Our policy leadership on digital inclusion helps support access to education, employment and other essential services, providing opportunities for improving social cohesion and economic growth.

The Division is a dynamic workplace, and supports flexible working arrangements. Managers work with staff to structure a work week that suits both the employee and their team to achieve common objectives. It has an inclusive and enjoyable workplace culture, and leads on government engagement with industry and other stakeholders, including telecommunications companies, regulators and ombudsmen, both in Australia and overseas.

What will you do? 

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Are you looking for a role where you can help close the digital divide for First Nations Australians? If so, the Digital Inclusion and Deployment Branch has the perfect role for you!

The Digital Inclusion Team is committed to improving access to connectivity and digital technologies for all Australians. We provide policy leadership and advice on First Nations digital inclusion, including supporting the work of the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group and delivering the First Nations digital inclusion programs.

We work closely with stakeholders across industry, government and First Nations communities to achieve Target 17 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which aims for equal levels of digital inclusion by 2026. A key focus of our work is advocacy for the recommendations in the First Nations Digital Inclusion Roadmap, and using this as a foundation to inform government policy and processes more broadly.

We also analyse data, research and evidence to make sure our understanding and advice on digital inclusion is robust and accurate, and we help shape public messaging on why digital inclusion is important and how it can be achieved. Our work covers the telecommunications sector, as well as the First Nations media and broadcasting sector.

The team has a great variety of work to deliver, including policy development, stakeholder engagement, media and communications, and data analysis and research. There is the opportunity for regional and remote travel to hear firsthand from First Nations communities about their stories and priorities for digital inclusion, as well as to attend meetings with senior representatives of the public service and industry. There are lots of opportunities to stretch your skills and develop new ones, and to connect your work to key government priorities.

We welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people. Worried you haven’t got the qualifications or technical experience for the role? We’ve got lots to share and draw upon, so please apply, or reach out to the contact officer to discuss further.

The merit list generated by this process may be used to fill other vacancies in the branch. Please let us know if you’d like us to reach out to you should other opportunities arise.

Who are we looking for? 

To be a successful applicant you should demonstrate knowledge and/or experience in the following areas:

• Your good judgement and ability to identify and resolve issues through research and analysis. 
• How you can communicate clearly and with influence amongst your peers, and with executive and stakeholders. 
• Developing project plans, tapping into expertise and resources, and being creative in your thinking to get good outcomes. 
• Well-developed organisational skills and initiative.
• A collaborative and positive team member, with a ‘can do attitude’ in the face of challenges, especially when dealing with more complex policy issues.
• The ability to develop good relationships within government, industry and key stakeholders. 
• Being responsive to priority work while considering longer-term impacts and outcomes. 

We look forward to hearing from you and are excited to help you further develop and expand your skills, and progress your future career goals.

RecruitAbility minimum requirements

Minimum requirements for this role include:

• Strategic and program management skills including an ability to develop, interpret and apply policies and processes.
• Effective people skills and collaborative approach/ability.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders in a professional and effective manner
• No specific qualifications required.

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?

• Exposure to high profile and exciting projects
• Networking opportunities across government and industry
• Capability development opportunities focused on your individual career goals
• Flexible working arrangements, including home-based work and job sharing
• Support for women’s progression into senior leadership

Eligibility requirements 

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport 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 candidate 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 minimum 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.
• Police check: The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.
• Qualifications: No qualifications necessary.

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:  21 November 2025

Applications close:  19 December 2025

Application shortlisting:  12 December 2025

Further assessments: 17 December 2025

Selection report finalised: 19 December 2025

Offers and announcements:  22 December 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. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews, and reference checks.

How to apply

Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEDT, Friday 19 December 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 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 2 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 

Work with us. Apply now!