Job Description
Contact Officer:
Lou McCaig on Lou.MCCAIG@infrastructure.gov.au, (02) 6136 8447
Closing Date:
11.59pm AEST, Friday 24 April 2026
We actively seek to reflect the diversity of the Australian community in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and/or who are neurodivergent, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including people of all genders and gender identities. We uphold gender equality as a core organisational value. If you’re interested in the role but feel uncertain, we still encourage you to apply if you feel your passions, transferable skills and valuable experience align with this position.
The opportunity we have available
The People Branch is responsible for a range of human resource practice within the department. We ensure managers and employees are equipped to meet immediate and emerging people challenges. We provide day-to-day services such as payroll, leave and timesheets, work health and safety, and performance management, while building a workforce for the future through workforce planning and analysis, engagement and retention, and support for our diverse workforce and SES leadership.
The Workplace Relations and Payroll section provides advice and guidance to employees, including our executives and employee representatives, on workplace relations matters such as conditions, working arrangements and the interpretation of the department’s enterprise agreement. The team also provides payroll services including entry of leave and timesheet support.
What will you do?
You will contribute to the section by undertaking duties related to the department’s workplace relations functions and in particular preparations for enterprise bargaining.
Typical duties for an APS6 Senior Adviser would include:
managing a team mailbox, preparation for meetings, development of papers and other formal documents and reporting as required
managing the maintenance and updating of records in accordance with departmental policy and convention
liaising with staff and other stakeholders across People Branch and the department
assisting in the preparation of briefs, minutes and other relevant internal documentation
researching and producing high quality and timely advice on employment matters in compliance with relevant public sector workplace relations legislation, APS policy and departmental practice relating to:
terms and conditions of employment
enterprise bargaining
employment procedures
workplace practice, and
project management support for critical team functions, including enterprise bargaining
undertaking administrative functions including the management and update of correspondence trackers and other duties as directed.
Who are we looking for?
The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the APS6 Work Level standards.
A successful candidate for this position will be able to work under limited supervision to deliver key outcomes and initiatives. Relevant human resources/industrial relations experience or broader experience in generally interpreting and applying legislation and policy is highly desirable. They will also be able to demonstrate accountability, responsiveness and an understanding of how their role contributes to the department achieving its objectives.
To be successful in this role as an APS6 Senior Adviser, you will need to demonstrate your ability to:
work under limited supervision and direction, while managing your time
work effectively in a high-volume dynamic team environment and demonstrate resilience
establish and maintain strong working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders
provide legislation and policy interpretation and guidance on workplace relations matters
undertake research and perform analysis of workplace relations matters, and
draft general guidance and updating stakeholders on key developments.
Cultural capability requirement
The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.
As an APS 6 you will be expected to:
Consider the cultural context and implications of work area outcomes.
Engage respectfully with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, building trusted relationships.
Communicate respectfully and seeks appropriate cultural input to inform decisions.
RecruitAbility minimum requirements
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is committed to supporting the employment and career development of people with disability. Our participation in APS RecruitAbility means we will progress an applicant with disability to a further stage in the recruitment process, where they opt into RecruitAbility and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy.
You will be asked to indicate if you wish to opt into RecruitAbility in the application form. You must tick the 'opt in' box to participate in RecruitAbility. Simply declaring that you have a disability will not automatically include you.
We provide reasonable adjustments such as access, equipment or other practical support at relevant stages of the recruitment process. Please advise in the application form or the contact officer if you need any adjustments made.
Minimum requirements for this role include:
prior experience in workplace relations or human resource management or interpreting and applying legislation and policy
well-developed written and interpersonal communication skills, including strong attention to detail
ability to provide timely and concise advice, and
ability to establish and maintain key strategic relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.
More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.
What else can we offer?
A positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt.
Flexible working opportunities, including part time hours, home based work and job sharing.
We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month’s accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.
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 a security clearance at the 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.
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: 2 April 2026
Applications close: 24 April 2026
Application shortlisting: Week starting 27 April 2026
Further assessments: Week starting 4 May 2026
Selection report finalised: Week starting 18 May 2026
Offers and announcements: Week starting 25 May 2026
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 AEST, Friday 24 April 2026.
In applying for this position, you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather, you should provide in a statement in PDF format of no more than 2 pages outlining your background, capabilities and experiences, and how these align with the advertised role.
You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF format, 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 recruitment@infrastructure.gov.au to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.
Please advise the contact officer if you require adjustments during the recruitment process. We recognise and value diversity as our strength and promote a culture of inclusion to enhance our work performance and the wellbeing of our employees. We are committed to systems that are accessible, inclusive and safe for all. If you need any further information about accessibility and inclusion at our department, please contact DiversityandInclusion@infrastructure.gov.au.
Work with us. Apply now!
Lou McCaig on Lou.MCCAIG@infrastructure.gov.au, (02) 6136 8447
Closing Date:
11.59pm AEST, Friday 24 April 2026
We actively seek to reflect the diversity of the Australian community in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and/or who are neurodivergent, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including people of all genders and gender identities. We uphold gender equality as a core organisational value. If you’re interested in the role but feel uncertain, we still encourage you to apply if you feel your passions, transferable skills and valuable experience align with this position.
The opportunity we have available
The People Branch is responsible for a range of human resource practice within the department. We ensure managers and employees are equipped to meet immediate and emerging people challenges. We provide day-to-day services such as payroll, leave and timesheets, work health and safety, and performance management, while building a workforce for the future through workforce planning and analysis, engagement and retention, and support for our diverse workforce and SES leadership.
The Workplace Relations and Payroll section provides advice and guidance to employees, including our executives and employee representatives, on workplace relations matters such as conditions, working arrangements and the interpretation of the department’s enterprise agreement. The team also provides payroll services including entry of leave and timesheet support.
What will you do?
You will contribute to the section by undertaking duties related to the department’s workplace relations functions and in particular preparations for enterprise bargaining.
Typical duties for an APS6 Senior Adviser would include:
managing a team mailbox, preparation for meetings, development of papers and other formal documents and reporting as required
managing the maintenance and updating of records in accordance with departmental policy and convention
liaising with staff and other stakeholders across People Branch and the department
assisting in the preparation of briefs, minutes and other relevant internal documentation
researching and producing high quality and timely advice on employment matters in compliance with relevant public sector workplace relations legislation, APS policy and departmental practice relating to:
terms and conditions of employment
enterprise bargaining
employment procedures
workplace practice, and
project management support for critical team functions, including enterprise bargaining
undertaking administrative functions including the management and update of correspondence trackers and other duties as directed.
Who are we looking for?
The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the APS6 Work Level standards.
A successful candidate for this position will be able to work under limited supervision to deliver key outcomes and initiatives. Relevant human resources/industrial relations experience or broader experience in generally interpreting and applying legislation and policy is highly desirable. They will also be able to demonstrate accountability, responsiveness and an understanding of how their role contributes to the department achieving its objectives.
To be successful in this role as an APS6 Senior Adviser, you will need to demonstrate your ability to:
work under limited supervision and direction, while managing your time
work effectively in a high-volume dynamic team environment and demonstrate resilience
establish and maintain strong working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders
provide legislation and policy interpretation and guidance on workplace relations matters
undertake research and perform analysis of workplace relations matters, and
draft general guidance and updating stakeholders on key developments.
Cultural capability requirement
The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.
As an APS 6 you will be expected to:
Consider the cultural context and implications of work area outcomes.
Engage respectfully with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, building trusted relationships.
Communicate respectfully and seeks appropriate cultural input to inform decisions.
RecruitAbility minimum requirements
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is committed to supporting the employment and career development of people with disability. Our participation in APS RecruitAbility means we will progress an applicant with disability to a further stage in the recruitment process, where they opt into RecruitAbility and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy.
You will be asked to indicate if you wish to opt into RecruitAbility in the application form. You must tick the 'opt in' box to participate in RecruitAbility. Simply declaring that you have a disability will not automatically include you.
We provide reasonable adjustments such as access, equipment or other practical support at relevant stages of the recruitment process. Please advise in the application form or the contact officer if you need any adjustments made.
Minimum requirements for this role include:
prior experience in workplace relations or human resource management or interpreting and applying legislation and policy
well-developed written and interpersonal communication skills, including strong attention to detail
ability to provide timely and concise advice, and
ability to establish and maintain key strategic relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.
More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.
What else can we offer?
A positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt.
Flexible working opportunities, including part time hours, home based work and job sharing.
We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month’s accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.
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 a security clearance at the 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.
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: 2 April 2026
Applications close: 24 April 2026
Application shortlisting: Week starting 27 April 2026
Further assessments: Week starting 4 May 2026
Selection report finalised: Week starting 18 May 2026
Offers and announcements: Week starting 25 May 2026
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 AEST, Friday 24 April 2026.
In applying for this position, you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather, you should provide in a statement in PDF format of no more than 2 pages outlining your background, capabilities and experiences, and how these align with the advertised role.
You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF format, 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 recruitment@infrastructure.gov.au to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.
Please advise the contact officer if you require adjustments during the recruitment process. We recognise and value diversity as our strength and promote a culture of inclusion to enhance our work performance and the wellbeing of our employees. We are committed to systems that are accessible, inclusive and safe for all. If you need any further information about accessibility and inclusion at our department, please contact DiversityandInclusion@infrastructure.gov.au.
Work with us. Apply now!
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The APS6 - Senior Adviser - Workplace Relations, People Branch position is now open for candidates interested in the Government Job Alert sector. This role in Canberra offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Government Job Alert is a plus.