Assistant Secretary, National Skills System

Role overview

This SES Band 1 position sits within the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and is based in one of several Australian capital cities, including Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, or Darwin. It is an identified position.

About the department

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations works to improve employment outcomes, strengthen rights, and support people into safe, secure, and well-paid work. It also helps build a future-focused skills system by supporting training, workforce entry, and reskilling, while aiming to model good employment practices itself. Its work shapes policy, program delivery, and support services that influence job seekers, workers, employers, and the broader economy.

Position summary

As Assistant Secretary of the National Skills System Branch, you will guide Jobs and Skills Australia’s analysis and advice on how effectively Australia’s skills system is meeting present, emerging, and future workforce needs. Your work will be grounded in evidence and informed by strong engagement with stakeholders.

You will oversee delivery of the skills stream in the agreed Jobs and Skills Australia workplan. The role focuses on evaluating the contribution of skills to productivity and inclusive participation, tracking the performance of the national skills system, and advising on how well the VET system is meeting labour market needs and improving student outcomes. This includes using linked datasets such as the VET National Data Asset and connected tertiary and pathway data to better understand links between education, training, and employment outcomes.

The role also includes project work such as supporting better connection across the tertiary education system, maintaining the National Skills Taxonomy, and contributing to surveys and research on adult foundation skills, including participation in the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), with results expected in 2030.

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

Responsibilities and duties

• Lead analysis and advice on how well Australia’s skills system is responding to current and future skills and workforce demand.
• Direct the branch’s contribution to the Jobs and Skills Australia workplan, especially the skills stream.
• Examine the national skills system and provide advice on its effectiveness, with particular attention to productivity and inclusive participation.
• Assess how the VET system is performing against economic skills needs and student outcome expectations.
• Use linked data assets to connect education and training pathways with labour market outcomes.
• Support projects that improve coordination across tertiary education, maintain the National Skills Taxonomy, and advance adult foundation skills research.
• Work across government, industry, and research stakeholders to build evidence-based understanding and influence outcomes.
• Report to senior leadership and contribute closely with the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners.

Skills and experience required

• Strong and current knowledge of the Australian VET system, including funding, regulation, the National Skills Agreement, qualification and training product reform, apprenticeships, and the VET and higher education interface.
• Ability to turn system knowledge into practical advice that improves how the skills system meets economic needs.
• Sound strategic judgement and the ability to use analysis, research, and linked data to generate useful, decision-ready insights.
• Broad understanding of the Australian skills and tertiary education landscape, as well as labour market dynamics.
• Capacity to apply multiple analytical approaches to complex issues, risks, and high volumes of work.
• Highly developed communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with political awareness and the ability to influence senior and diverse stakeholders.
• Capability to build a supportive environment that empowers teams, sets clear expectations, develops talent, and strengthens capability.
• Excellent organisational skills, including prioritisation and time management.

Leadership capabilities

• Exemplary integrity and professionalism.
• Strong technical legal judgement.
• Well-developed leadership and people management capability that supports a positive workplace culture.
• Strong risk management skills, including identifying and addressing emerging issues early.
• Excellent relationship management with the ability to provide persuasive and trusted advice to senior stakeholders.
• Commitment to excellence, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Solid understanding of core APS frameworks.
• Ability to build and leverage relationships across the APS.

Eligibility

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

How to apply

Applicants must submit a summary of up to two pages and no more than 1,000 words, outlining their skills, knowledge, and experience, and explaining why they should be considered for the role. Responses should be aligned to the position overview and any role-specific requirements, and should include relevant examples where possible.

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

The APS work level standards explain the expectations and distinctions between classification levels across the APS.

Please refer to the Job Information Pack for additional role details.