Assistant Secretary, National Skills System

Role overview

This SES Band 1 position is based in Canberra, with availability listed for Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin. It is an identified role within the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

About the department

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations works to improve working lives by supporting safe, secure and fairly paid employment, and by helping build a skills base for the future. The department also sets the policy and delivery framework for productive employer-employee relationships and advances training and skills initiatives for people entering work or retraining for new opportunities.

In this role, your contribution will have a direct impact on how employment, skills and training systems support job seekers, workers and the wider economy.

Role purpose

As Assistant Secretary of the National Skills System Branch, you will guide Jobs and Skills Australia’s evidence-based advice on how effectively Australia’s skills system is meeting present, emerging and future workforce needs. The role requires strong stakeholder engagement and a focus on analysis that can inform government decision-making.

You will also oversee delivery of the skills stream in the agreed Jobs and Skills Australia workplan, with responsibility for examining the role of skills in productivity and inclusive participation. This includes monitoring and assessing the national skills system, with particular attention to how well vocational education and training is meeting labour market needs and supporting student outcomes.

The work draws on linked branch datasets such as the VET National Data Asset and connected tertiary and pathway data to show the relationship between education, training and employment outcomes. The branch’s broader portfolio also includes work on tertiary education alignment, maintaining the National Skills Taxonomy, and research and surveys focused on adult foundation skills, including participation in PIAAC, with results expected in 2030.

You will report to the Executive Director and work closely with the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners.

You will also collaborate across the department and with the Australian Tertiary Education Commission, other Commonwealth agencies, state and territory governments, industry participants and research organisations such as NCVER.

Key responsibilities

• Lead analysis and advice on how well the national skills system is meeting Australia’s current and future skills needs.
• Direct delivery of the branch’s contribution to the Jobs and Skills Australia workplan.
• Assess the effectiveness of the VET system, including its ability to meet economic demand and deliver strong student outcomes.
• Use linked data sources and research to produce high-value insights for government and the broader skills ecosystem.
• Contribute to work on tertiary system integration, the National Skills Taxonomy, and adult foundation skills research.
• Work across agencies and with external stakeholders to influence skills policy and system improvement.
• Support executive leadership through informed advice, strategic direction and oversight of complex work.

Skills and capabilities

The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of the Australian VET system, including funding, regulation, the National Skills Agreement, qualifications and training product reform, apprenticeships, and the relationship between vocational and higher education. You should be able to turn that expertise into practical advice that improves system performance.

The role calls for strategic judgement, the ability to use branch analysis and linked data effectively, and a strong understanding of the wider tertiary education and labour market landscape. You will need to apply different analytical approaches, manage complex risk and workload pressures, and communicate with influence across a broad range of stakeholders.

You should also be able to create an environment where teams can perform at their best, set clear expectations, develop capability and manage competing priorities effectively.

Capabilities

Applicants must demonstrate capability at SES Band 1 Work Level Standard, along with the following qualities:

• high integrity and professionalism
• strong legal technical judgement
• effective leadership and people management skills
• sound risk identification and management ability
• excellent stakeholder relationship and advisory skills
• a focus on excellence, innovation and ongoing learning
• solid understanding of key APS frameworks
• ability to build and leverage relationships across the APS

Eligibility

The successful applicant must hold a valid Negative Vetting 1 security clearance.

Application requirements

Applicants must submit a summary of up to two pages and no more than 1,000 words explaining their skills, knowledge, experience and suitability for the role. The response should address the position overview and any role-specific requirements, and should include relevant examples where possible.

Applicants must also upload a CV and provide contact details for two referees in the department’s online recruitment system.

Additional information

The APS work level standards are designed to reflect the range of work across the public service and clearly distinguish the responsibilities and expectations of each classification level.

Refer to the Job Information Pack for further details about the role.