Senior Policy Adviser Tourism, Office of Tourism and the Visitor Economy

• Classification: Executive Level 1
• Location: Canberra – ACT
• Salary: $121,755 - $136,267

THE ROLE:

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 350,000 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 person to fill Senior Policy Advisor roles at the EL1 level. There is one confirmed vacancy in the International and Diversification Section of the Office of Tourism and the Visitor Economy. A merit list will be developed to fill future vacancies.
Successful candidates will work on a diverse range of issues, which could include growing international tourism, workforce and skills, transport and border services, First Nations, sustainability, and regional tourism.

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.

Duties Include:

• Lead development of strategic policy advice and policy proposals, informed by data, stakeholder views and high-level research and analysis.
• DevElop and deliver effective research and analysis, including on opportunities and challenges to grow international visitation and spend in Australia.
• Lead the preparation of high-quality, innovative and data-driven advice, briefings and correspondence for the Minister, Assistant Minister and Senior Executive to inform and influence government deliberations on tourism and visitor economy issues.
• Engage with Cabinet processes, participate in committees, and use networks across the APS, state and territory governments, and industry, to develop policy and provide advice to Ministers and senior management.
• Build and leverage relationships with stakeholders in industry, state, territory and Commonwealth governments, to influence a range of policy and programs that impact tourism and the visitor economy.
• Lead and build the capability of junior team members and act for section manager as required.
• Contribute to other divisional priorities as needed.

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 at 11.30PM, Sunday, 13 September 2026, (AEST).

ELIGIBILITY:

• Australian citizenship – our successful candidate must be an Australian citizen.
• Security clearance – our successful candidate is required to hold, or have the ability to obtain, and maintain a Baseline security clearance.
• Pre-employment checks - your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process.·