About the branch The Workplace Relations Branch and the Bargaining Taskforce work collaboratively to deliver the Australian Government’s workplace relations policies and support agencies in their workplace responsibilities. The Workplace Relations Branch undertakes policy development, implementation and advice on workplace relations matters related to Commonwealth public sector employment, including enterprise bargaining, remuneration and conditions of employment. The Bargaining Taskforce supports the central negotiations of over 100 APS enterprise agreements. This is a high-profile activity working to address fragmentation in pay and conditions across the APS. The key duties of the position include: We are looking for workplace relations, human resources, legal, policy, governance or data professionals who can apply their skills to fast-paced workplace relations projects, including APS service-wide bargaining. You will have excellent written and oral communication skills, high-level analytical skills, sound judgement, the ability to work in a team under pressure and a keen willingness to continuously learn. As a Senior Policy Adviser, you will liaise directly with stakeholders and be responsible for ensuring the development of positive and collaborative relationships. You will work closely with Commonwealth departments and agencies, to develop policies and guidance materials to support improved workplace relations in Commonwealth employment. Key duties of a Senior Policy Adviser include: Providing high quality workplace relations policy advice to the Commission’s Executive, Government and Commonwealth departments/agencies. Undertaking policy development and reviewing the effectiveness of legislation, policy guidance and workplace relations advice. Assessing agency bargaining positions and workplace arrangements, including draft determinations and enterprise agreements, for compliance with the Government’s workplace relations policies. Conducting research and presenting findings on workplace relations issues, such as conditions of employment, bargaining, disputes and remuneration. Contributing to briefs for the Commission’s Executive and the Minister, including Question Time briefs, Senate Estimates packs and Ministerial Correspondence. Monitoring developments and decisions in the Fair Work Commission for any impact on Commonwealth employment. Eligibility Further Information Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) or, in limited circumstances, in the process of obtaining citizenship. Successful applicants will be required to undergo the process to obtain and maintain, or continue to hold the required security clearance level for the role as indicated. All Commission staff are required to have a minimum Baseline security clearance prior to commencement. Successful applicants will be required to undergo a mandatory National Criminal History check as part of the pre-employment eligibility checks. The Australian Public Service Commission is committed to building an inclusive and culturally diverse workforce. We welcome applications from across our community including, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTIQ, mature aged employees and carers. Getting to know the Australian Public Service Commission The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is a central agency within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio. The Commission supports two statutory office holders: the Australian Public Service Commissioner—who is also agency head—and the Merit Protection Commissioner. Their functions are set out in sections 41(1) and 50(1), respectively, of the Public Service Act 1999. About the Commission The Australian Public Service Commission is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio. Our Statutory responsibilities are detailed in the Public Service Act 1999. The APSC also provides resources to support the Merit Protection Commissioner. We operate under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. We employ around 350 staff, and have offices in Canberra and Sydney.
