Policy Manager (EL1) and Policy Officer (APS6) - Multiple Positions

Join the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) and contribute to shaping policy that influences the funding and pricing of Australia's hospital and aged care systems.

We are seeking motivated and high-performing professionals to work across our Hospital Policy and Classification Branch and Aged Care Policy Branch. These roles offer the opportunity to lead or support strategic policy development, pricing frameworks, major projects, stakeholder engagement, and high-quality advice to decision-makers.

If you are a strong communicator with sound judgement, analytical skills and a collaborative approach, we encourage you to apply.

There are many interesting and challenging roles within Hospital Policy and Classification Branch and Aged Care Policy Branch. 

Roles available at each of the following classification levels:

• EL1 Level - Policy Manager
• APS6 Level - Policy Officer

This is an indicative list of roles at these levels. Similar roles may also be available.

As a Policy Manager (EL1), your responsibilities may include:

• Leading the agency’s key planning and reporting processes, including the development, implementation and review of the 5-year Strategic Plan, Corporate Plan, Work Program, 3-year Data Plan, and the Annual Report. 

• Developing the annual pricing framework for public hospital services in consultation with key stakeholders.

• Managing the delivery of key aged care policy frameworks and projects, including but not limited to: 

o the annual public consultation paper 

o the annual pricing framework and accompanying consultation report 

o the annual pricing advice to the Minister 

o pricing model refinement projects 

o funding model review projects. 

• Leading the preparation of papers, briefings and technical advice for the Pricing Authority (IHACPA’s governing board) and statutory advisory committees.

• Providing specialist advice to IHACPA working groups and engaging with stakeholders on technical policy and pricing issues.

• Supporting IHACPA’s Executive to communicate complex technical policy and pricing matters to external stakeholders.

• Providing leadership by guiding team members, managing competing priorities, overseeing project delivery and providing strategic advice on complex issues.

As a Policy Officer (APS6), your responsibilities may include:

• Contributing to the agency’s key planning and reporting processes, including the development, implementation and review of the 5-year Strategic Plan, Corporate Plan, Work Program, 3-year Data Plan, and the Annual Report. 

• Supporting the development of the annual pricing framework for public hospital services in consultation with key stakeholders.

• Supporting the delivery of key aged care policy frameworks and projects, including but not limited to: 

o the annual public consultation paper 

o the annual pricing framework and accompanying consultation report 

o the annual pricing advice to the Minister 

o pricing model refinement projects 

o funding model review projects. 

• Contributing to the preparation of papers, briefings and technical advice for the Pricing Authority (IHACPA’s governing board) and statutory advisory committees.

• Providing specialist advice to IHACPA working groups and engaging with stakeholders on technical policy and pricing issues.

• Supporting IHACPA’s Executive to communicate complex technical policy and pricing matters to external stakeholders.

To be eligible for employment with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, applicants must be an Australian citizen at the time an offer of employment is made.  

An applicant’s suitability for employment with Health will also be assessed through a variety of pre-employment check processes, such as:  

• Satisfactory completion of a criminal history check, and where relevant, a Working with Children and Vulnerable People Check,  
• Completion of a medical declaration and pre-employment medical (where required),  
• Providing evidence of qualifications (where required), and  

To be eligible for these roles, applicants must possess the following qualifications and experience:

• tertiary qualifications in health, public policy, social sciences, communications or similar discipline (or equivalent professional experience),
• experience in policy development at a national or state level, preferably within an aged care or health care context.
• For Policy Manager roles, relevant leadership experience is also required.

Applications close 11:30pm AEST.   

Applicants are asked to quote reference number 26-IHACPADIV-31737 to assist when making an enquiry.   

This recruitment process is being used to fill both ongoing and non-ongoing positions. Non-ongoing positions will be offered on a specified term basis for an initial period of up to 12 months with the possibility of being extended (this will not exceed a total of 24 months in the same or similar role). 

The Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA) was established under the National Health Reform Act 2011 (NHR Act) (Cwlth) to improve health outcomes for all Australians. Its primary responsibility has been to enable the implementation of national activity based funding of public hospital services through the annual determination of the national efficient price and national efficient cost. These determinations play a crucial role in calculating the Commonwealth funding contribution to Australian public hospital services, and offer a benchmark for the efficient cost of providing those services as outlined in the National Health Reform Agreement. On 12 August 2022 amendments to the NHR Act came into effect changing IHPA’s name to the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) and expanding its role to include the provision of costing and pricing advice on aged care to the Commonwealth Government.