Assistant Director, Budget Policy Branch

October 8, 2024

Department of Finance

Canberra

FULL TIME

Budget Group / Budget Policy & Data Division / Budget Policy Branch
Executive Level 1 ($122,240 - $148,030) | Ongoing | Full-time
Canberra, ACT

ABOUT THE BRANCH

The Budget Policy Branch provides advice to the Government (and to other agencies) on the overarching budget strategy, fiscal drivers and public sector resourcing decisions. Working closely with other central agencies, the Branch plays a pivotal role advising the Government on setting and achieving its fiscal and economic priorities, including working closely with colleagues in Budget Policy and Data Division to deliver the annual Federal Budget, Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) and Final Budget Outcome (FBO). We do this by bringing together information from across Finance’s budget divisions and other central agencies to provide advice to Government.

The Branch designs and implements policies that impact the business of whole of government, including the Budget Process Operational Rules (BPORs), Average Staffing Levels collection and analysis, and external labour policy. We also provide advice on the Budget outlook, program estimates and other expenditure trends, such as trends in demand and cost-price changes. We undertake analysis on economic conditions and forecasts to monitor the effect on payments growth and the overall budget position. And we coordinate processes across Finance and other central agencies to provide influential whole-of-government policy advice to the Cabinet, Ministers, and our Senior Executive on budget priorities and issues.

The work of Budget Policy Branch is dynamic, rewarding and empowers our people to gain a birds eye view of the Government’s priorities and deep understanding of core Government processes, which can be leveraged in many roles across the public service. Our people are friendly, resilient and support each other to deliver high-quality work.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES

We have a range of current and anticipated EL1 opportunities across the three sections in the Budget Policy Branch and we will align successful candidates with the vacancy that best suits their experience, skills and interests.

You will influence the development of public policy and the future of Australia. To deliver effectively, you will leverage your strong analytical and clear communication skills, as well as strong people management, resilience and leadership capabilities, expanding your career pathways and networks as a result.

The roles involve leading APS staff and working collaboratively with other areas of the Department of Finance, the Treasury and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to deliver on tangible products, including key elements of the 2025-26 Budget and other economic updates, as well as problem solving to address specific issues that are raised from across government on the budget and fiscal policies, rules and processes.

If you are successful, your core responsibilities will include:

Strategic briefing to support the Finance Minister’s role in Cabinet and its Committees on the Government’s fiscal and economic priorities;
Working closely with colleagues in Finance’s Agency Advice Units, the Treasury and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, as well as other portfolio departments and entities, to develop and implement whole-of-government policies, including Budget Process Operational Rules (BPORs) and public sector resourcing policy (includes ASL allocations and external labour use);
advising on the design and management of the Government’s decision-making processes for the finalisation of the annual Budget and MYEFO;
Supporting the Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet and our senior executive on policy and financial issues;
Advising on public sector resourcing issues, including delivering the latest Audit of Employment Report and ensuring policy alignment on external labour with APSC’s Strategic Commissioning Framework;
Advising on Office for Women’s Gender Responsive Budgeting; and
Drafting briefing and other correspondence for the Minister for Finance’s consideration on Budget and other economic and financial update matters.

DETAILED VACANCY INFORMATION

For detailed information about these roles, including the job specific capabilities, please refer to the downloadable vacancy pack, which can be accessed by clicking the hyperlink at the bottom of this page.

ELIGIBILITY ADVICE & CANDIDATE NOTES

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing.
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 in the downloadable job pack. All Finance staff are required to have a minimum baseline security clearance prior to commencement.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions relating to the online lodgement of your application, please email the Recruitment team via recruitment@finance.gov.au or call (02) 6215 1717 between 8:30am - 5:00pm AEDT Monday to Friday.
For specific questions relating to this job vacancy, please refer to the details on the contact officer located in the downloadable job pack.