Policy Advisor

THE ROLE:
The Office of Tourism and the Visitor Economy in the Australian Trade and Investment Commission—the Commission—is the Australian Government lead for tourism and the visitor economy. We also promote Australian trade, investment and education to the world.

This is an exciting time to be working on the visitor economy and tourism policy for the Australian Government. The tourism industry directly employs more than 700,000 people across over 360,000 businesses in Australia.
The visitor economy covers:

• domestic and international tourism
• international student, business, employment-related and leisure travellers
• visiting friends and relatives
• associated industries such as hospitality, aviation, attractions, travel agents and tour operators, transport, retail, arts and culture, sport and accommodation.

The Office of Tourism and the Visitor Economy in Austrade leads the development and implementation of tourism and visitor economy policy for the Australian Government and provides the Australian Government’s official tourism statistics.

We work with a range of Commonwealth agencies, States and Territories, industry and researchers to develop and deliver innovative and effective policy outcomes for tourism. We use insights from this engagement, along with tourism data, to support the Minister for Trade and Tourism and Assistant Minister for Tourism in our collective work to deliver THRIVE 2030, the national visitor economy strategy.

We are seeking experienced and enthusiastic people to fill Policy Advisor roles at the APS5 and APS6 levels for both ongoing and non-ongoing roles. The Policy Advisors will support portfolio ministers and the Commission’s engagement by drafting and developing policy; researching and analyzing policy options and developing potential solutions; providing advice on complex policy matters; and supporting Ministers’ and Executive briefings, correspondence and engagement with a range of stakeholders (Federal Government, state and territory and industry). Successful candidates will work on a diverse range of issues, which could include workforce and skills, transport and border services, First Nations, sustainability, regional tourism, accessibility and growing international visitation, including as part of the tour guide (Approved Destination Scheme) with China.

DUTIES INCLUDE:
APS5 Policy Adviser

• Support research of policy issues
• Contribute to policy analysis and development
• Provide advice on moderately complex policy matters.
• Preparing evidence-based policy advice, briefings and correspondence for the Minister, Assistant Minister and Senior Executive to achieve tourism outcomes.
• Coordinate stakeholder consultation with industry, state, territory and Commonwealth governments.
• Support policy implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Being agile, a team player and contributing to other divisional priorities as needed.

APS 6 Policy adviser

• High quality policy research and analysis, drawing on information from multiple sources.
• Analysis of policy options and development of high-quality, innovative and data-driven policy advice, briefings and correspondence for the Minister, Assistant Minister and Senior Executive to inform and influence government deliberations on complex issues.
• Engage and collaborate with a range of policy stakeholders, including state, territory and Commonwealth governments, to influence policy and program settings that impact tourism.
• Support policy implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Being agile, a team player and contributing to other divisional priorities as needed.

Given our commitment to diversity and inclusion, Austrade actively encourages applications from people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ people, women, and people with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds for all of our roles.

While we are aware people will utilise AI tools to assist with job applications, we need to see the candidate’s authentic responses to help us make a true assessment of the applicants applying.

CLOSING DATE:
Applications close Wednesday 2 September 2026, 11:30PM (AEST)

ELIGIBILITY:
Australian Citizenship - Our successful candidate must be an Australian citizen.
Security Clearance - Our successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance.
Pre-employment checks- your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening