Assistant Secretary, National Skills System

Position Summary

This SES Band 1 role sits within the National Skills System Branch and is based in Melbourne, Victoria. The position is identified, and the department also indicates the vacancy may be considered across several Australian capital cities, including Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin.

About the Department

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is focused on helping people access safe, secure and fairly paid work, while supporting the development of skills needed for the future. It works to build productive workplace relationships and to strengthen training and skills initiatives for people entering the workforce or retraining for emerging opportunities. The department’s work contributes directly to Australia’s employment landscape through policy, program delivery and support services that affect job seekers, workers and the broader economy.

The Role

As Assistant Secretary, National Skills System Branch, you will guide Jobs and Skills Australia’s analysis and advice on how effectively the national skills system is responding to present, emerging and future workforce needs. This work must be grounded in evidence and informed by active stakeholder engagement.

You will be responsible for leading the skills stream under the agreed Jobs and Skills Australia workplan. The role includes examining how skills contribute to productivity and inclusive participation, while monitoring and advising on the performance of the national skills system. A major focus will be assessing the extent to which the VET system is meeting labour market needs and supporting student outcomes. This will draw on linked data assets such as the VET National Data Asset and tertiary/pathways data to connect education and training with employment outcomes.

The portfolio also includes work on tertiary system coordination, development and maintenance of the National Skills Taxonomy, and adult foundation skills research, including participation in the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, with results expected in 2030.

You will report to the Executive Director and work closely with the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners. The position also requires strong collaboration across the department, with the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, other Commonwealth agencies, state and territory governments, industry stakeholders and research partners such as NCVER.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Lead analysis and policy advice on how the skills system is meeting current and future workforce needs.
• Direct delivery of the skills stream within the Jobs and Skills Australia workplan.
• Assess the effectiveness of the national skills system, including its contribution to productivity and participation.
• Evaluate VET performance in meeting economic skills demand and improving student outcomes.
• Use linked education, training and labour market data to generate evidence-based insights.
• Support work on tertiary education system alignment, the National Skills Taxonomy and adult foundation skills research.
• Engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders across governments, industry and research bodies.
• Provide advice to senior leadership and help shape system-wide decisions.

Skills and Capabilities

• Strong command of the Australian VET system, including funding, regulation, the National Skills Agreement, qualifications reform, apprenticeships and the VET-higher education interface.
• Ability to turn sector knowledge and data analysis into practical advice that improves system performance.
• Sound understanding of the wider skills, tertiary education and labour market environment.
• Capacity to apply multiple analytical approaches to complex problems, competing demands and significant risk.
• Advanced communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills, with sound political judgement and stakeholder influence.
• Capability to build supportive teams, set clear expectations and develop people’s skills.
• Excellent planning, organisation and prioritisation skills.
• High integrity, professionalism and commitment to strong public sector standards.
• Legal and technical judgement appropriate to an SES Band 1 leadership role.
• Leadership and people management capability that supports a constructive workplace culture.
• Strong risk awareness and the ability to identify and respond to emerging issues.
• Trusted advisory skills for dealing with senior stakeholders across the APS.
• Commitment to innovation, continuous learning and collaboration across the public service.

Eligibility

The selected candidate must hold a current Negative Vetting 1 security clearance.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a brief written summary of up to two pages, or no more than 1000 words, explaining their skills, knowledge and experience, and why they should be considered for the role. The response should reflect the position overview and any role-specific requirements, and should include relevant examples where possible. A curriculum vitae and the contact details of two referees are also required through the department’s recruitment system.

Additional Information

The department notes that the APS work level standards are designed to reflect the range of roles across the Australian Public Service and distinguish the work expected at each classification level. Applicants are advised to consult the job information pack for further details about the position.

Employment Details

This is a full-time, on-site position.

Location

Primary location is Melbourne, Victoria, with the role also identified for Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin.

Position Classification

SES Band 1.