Policy Advisor – Melbourne or other Australian location

Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association

Are you a policy advisor with a passion for health policy? Join APNA as our Policy Advisor and play a key role in supporting nurses to improve the health of all Australians!

• Work with a strong, vibrant, growing team
• An exciting opportunity to do great work that has an impact
• Hybrid Melbourne or remote within Australia
• Substantial salary packaging benefits

About APNA
The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) is the peak and professional body for nurses working in primary health care. APNA champions the role of primary health care nurses; to advance professional recognition, ensure workforce sustainability, nurture leadership in health, and optimise the role of nurses in person-centred care.

About the role

• This contract role (July 2026 – June 2027) will provide high-level policy advice to advance APNA’s advocacy objectives. This includes developing policy positions, preparing evidence-based submissions, preparing executive briefings, and supporting advocacy strategies that influence political and government decision-makers. The Policy Advisor ensures APNA’s policy work is informed, strategic and impactful.
• The role can be hybrid based in Melbourne (APNA’s head office is in the CBD), or fully remote within Australia.
• FTE of up to 0.8 to be negotiated with the successful candidate, for a 1.0 FTE salary equivalent of $100,000 to $110,000 annually.

Responsibilities include

• Provide high-quality policy analysis and advice to the Chief Advocacy Officer and senior leadership.
• Develop policy products, including publications and thought leadership articles that advance APNA’s advocacy influence.
• Monitor, analyse and provide advice on government policies, legislative developments, and emerging issues relevant to APNA’s advocacy objectives.
• Work closely with the Chief Advocacy Officer to identify opportunities for influence and engagement in political, policy, and media spaces.
• Prepare compelling policy briefs, reports, position statements, and talking points for use by the Chief Advocacy Officer, senior leadership, and key spokespeople.
• Build and maintain strong, constructive relationships with government agencies, policymakers, industry bodies, and partner organisations.
• Conduct research that informs policy positions and advocacy initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with the communications, campaigns, and programs teams to ensure alignment between policy work and public messaging.

Essential skills, qualifications and experience

• Tertiary qualifications in public policy or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in policy development, analysis and advocacy in a not-for-profit, government, or related sector.
• Excellent written communication skills, with a proven ability to draft high-quality policy documents, submissions, and briefing papers.
• Understanding of the policy process and decision-making in Australian governments.
• Ability to read and understand legislation and regulations at the state and federal level.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including political and government representatives.
• Ability to analyse complex issues, synthesise information and present it in a clear and persuasive manner for diverse audiences.
• Sound organisational skills and the capacity to use initiative and flexibility in balancing a range of tasks.

Desirable skills, qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from nurses: Current registration as a nurse and experience in a primary health care nursing role are highly regarded;

• Understanding of parliamentary procedures and the broader political landscape.
• Demonstrated understanding of primary health care in the Australian health system.
• Experience working in collaborative coalitions or cross-sector partnerships.
• APNA's mission is to improve the health of Australians through the delivery of quality evidence-based care by a bold and vibrant primary health care nursing workforce. This role is vital to helping APNA succeed in its mission.

APNA’s Values

• Better Together – We are passionate and collaborative, fostering an environment where diversity is valued, and all voices are heard. Positive Disruptor – We are community-minded champions of change, innately curious and always open to innovation and ideas of the future.
• Pursue Excellence – We are evidence-based in our approach and hold our stakeholders and each other accountable as we strive for the highest standards of excellence.

If you have questions, please contact Tarek Dale at  tarek.dale@apna.asn.au using the subject line: Policy Advisor - Melbourne or other Australian location enquiry via EthicalJobs for a confidential discussion.

Please apply via SEEK, including a cover letter and CV / resume. If you have available copies of policy submissions (to Parliamentary inquiries, government consultations or other processes), please attach them to your application.