Assistant Secretary, National Skills System

Overview

This position sits at SES Band 1 level with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. It is a senior leadership role focused on strengthening Australia’s skills system and its connection to workforce needs, productivity, and inclusive participation. The role is based in Adelaide, South Australia, and is listed as an identified position. Other listed work locations include Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart, and Darwin.

About the Department

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations works to support safe, secure and fairly paid work, alongside a skills system that prepares people for future employment. The department develops policy, supports program delivery, and contributes to shaping labour market outcomes across Australia.

Role summary

As Assistant Secretary of the National Skills System Branch, you will lead Jobs and Skills Australia’s analysis and advice on whether Australia’s skills system is meeting current, emerging, and future workforce needs. Your work will be grounded in evidence, stakeholder engagement, and strong strategic judgement.

You will oversee delivery of the skills stream in the agreed JSA work plan. This includes monitoring the performance of the national skills system, assessing how effectively the VET system is meeting economic skills demand and student outcomes, and using linked data sources such as the VET National Data Asset and tertiary/pathway datasets to connect education and training outcomes with labour market results. The role also includes project work related to tertiary system alignment, the National Skills Taxonomy, and research into adult foundation skills, including participation in PIAAC results due in 2030.

You will report to the Executive Director and work closely with the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners. Collaboration will be required across DEWR, the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, other Commonwealth agencies, State and Territory governments, industry participants, and research partners such as NCVER.

Responsibilities

• Lead analysis and advice on how effectively Australia’s skills system is meeting present and future workforce requirements.
• Drive delivery of the skills program of work within the agreed JSA workplan.
• Assess the national skills system, including VET performance, student outcomes, and its contribution to productivity and participation.
• Use linked datasets to derive practical insights on skills supply, pathways, and labour market outcomes.
• Contribute to work on tertiary education system coordination, the National Skills Taxonomy, and adult foundation skills research.
• Work across government and with external stakeholders to build alignment and influence outcomes.

Requirements

• Strong, current knowledge of the Australian VET system, including funding, regulation, the National Skills Agreement, qualification and training product reform, apprenticeships, and the VET–higher education interface.
• Ability to turn system knowledge and analysis into advice that improves national skills policy and outcomes.
• Strategic judgement to use research and linked data as a basis for influential recommendations.
• Broad understanding of the Australian skills and tertiary education landscape, together with labour market dynamics.
• Ability to apply multiple analytical approaches to complex issues, competing priorities, and high workloads.
• Highly developed interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with sound political judgement for managing diverse stakeholders.
• Capacity to build an empowering environment that develops people, capability, and team performance.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Capability aligned to SES Band 1 Work Level Standards.
• Exemplary integrity and professionalism.
• Strong technical legal judgement.
• People leadership capability that supports a positive workplace culture.
• Well-developed risk management capability.
• Ability to provide persuasive, trusted advice to senior stakeholders.
• Commitment to excellence, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Strong understanding of core APS frameworks.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships across the APS.
• Valid Negative Vetting 1 security clearance is required.
• Applicants must provide a response of up to 2 pages and no more than 1000 words, addressing relevant skills, knowledge, experience, and examples.
• A CV and contact details for 2 referees must also be uploaded.

Application information

Candidates should read the job information pack for further details before applying. The position requires the use of the department’s online recruitment system for submission of the written summary, CV, and referee details.

Additional information

The role is classified at SES Band 1. It is identified as a position and may be based in one of several Australian capital cities: Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, or Darwin.