Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in public health policy as a NSW Health Senior Policy Officer? If you’re passionate about improving healthcare systems and ensuring equity-focused policies, this role may be perfect for you. Alongside a competitive salary and flexible work arrangements, this position offers you the chance to influence vital healthcare strategies.
The NSW Health Senior Policy Officer position at the NSW Ministry of Health is a crucial role focused on managing the End-of-Life Palliative Care strategy within one of Australia’s largest public health systems. This full-time position entails implementing, monitoring, and evaluating projects designed to enhance palliative care initiatives, ensuring compliance with quality standards and budgetary constraints. By coordinating various stakeholder groups and committees, the NSW Health Senior Policy Officer contributes significantly to the Ministry’s mission of promoting public health excellence across New South Wales.
This guide, complete with an example cover letter, will help you present your best self and stand out in the application process.
If you’re new to public sector recruitment, you might find this unofficial guide to NSW Government applications helpful for understanding how the process works and what to expect.
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NSW Health Senior Policy Officer Salary and Overview
| Position Title | Senior Policy Officer, Palliative Care, Health and Social Policy Branch |
| Organisation | NSW Ministry of Health |
| Location | Sydney Region / Sydney – North/North West |
| Work Type | Full-Time |
| Base Pay | Clerk Grade 9/10, $125,693 – $138,510 p.a. (plus Super and annual leave loading) |
| Closing Date | 15/06/2025 – 11:59 PM |
About the NSW Health Senior Policy Officer Role at NSW Health
The Senior Policy Officer position at the NSW Ministry of Health is an integral role that focuses on the comprehensive management of the End-of-Life Palliative Care strategy for the state. This full-time, temporary role based in the Sydney Region aims to implement, monitor, and evaluate projects that enhance palliative care initiatives, ensuring that they adhere to quality standards and budgetary requirements.
NSW Health, renowned as the largest public health system in Australia, prioritises equity-focused policies to advance the health and wellbeing of its citizens. The Senior Policy Officer will manage the project cycle and play a crucial role in coordinating stakeholder groups and committees, contributing to the larger mission of driving forward public health excellence in New South Wales.
Why the NSW Health Senior Policy Officer is a Great Opportunity
This is a fantastic opportunity to join the NSW Ministry of Health and make a meaningful impact in the field of public health policy.
- Flexible hybrid work arrangements with up to 5 office days per fortnight.
- Full-Time Temporary Role means you may have less competition
- Opportunity to work in a leading public health system, influencing vital healthcare strategies.
- Access to career development programs and employee assistance networks.
- Enjoy government sector benefits such as superannuation and generous leave options.
- Potential for future opportunities through a talent pool for similar roles over the next 18 months.
NSW Health Senior Policy Officer Application Requirements
To be considered for an interview for the NSW Health Senior Policy Officer, candidates must meet the following requirements.
NSW Ministry of Health Application Process
The application process requires submission of specific documents. NSW Health Senior Policy Officer applicants need to provide:
- Resume: Max 5 pages.
- Cover Letter: A concise document, max 2 pages long
What to Include in Your Senior Policy Officer Application
The cover letter is an essential part of your application and must address the key requirements the panel is looking for. Ensure that your NSW Health Senior Policy Officer cover letter highlights how you meet each of the following essential skills and experiences:
| Key Skills and Experience | Description |
| Professional Experience or Qualifications | Demonstrated relevant, professional experience in health and social policy and/or relevant tertiary qualifications. |
| Communication Skills | Excellent communication skills to provide high-quality timely advice. |
| Stakeholder Engagement and Interpersonal Skills | Strong stakeholder engagement, teamwork, and interpersonal skills to build relationships across the End-of-Life Palliative Care sector. |
| Organisational and Time Management Skills | Ability to work independently with strong organisational and time management skills to manage competing demands and make sound decisions to meet deadlines. |
| Government Experience | Experience working in NSW Health or government as an advantage. |
| Procurement Experience | Experience of government procurement processes also an advantage. |
By addressing these areas in your cover letter, you will adequately demonstrate your suitability for the position and increase your chances of being invited to an interview.
Candidate Profile for Senior Policy Officer
Sophia is an accomplished professional with over a decade of experience in the private health sector. Having held roles such as Health Policy Consultant and Senior Analyst at a reputable healthcare consulting firm, she has developed and implemented robust health and social policies to improve patient care and community health outcomes. Her extensive experience collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, from health practitioners to executive leaders, has equipped her with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
Driven by a passion for public service and community welfare, Sophia is eager to transition to a role within NSW Health where she can leverage her skills and experiences to make a meaningful impact on the end-of-life palliative care sector. She is motivated to join a government department to align her professional work with her personal values of promoting accessible and equitable healthcare services.
Example Cover Letter for Senior Policy Officer
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the Senior Policy Officer position at the NSW Ministry of Health. With over ten years of experience in the private health sector—particularly in health policy development and stakeholder engagement—I am eager to contribute my skills to public sector initiatives that improve end-of-life and palliative care outcomes.
I bring demonstrated professional experience in health and social policy, having worked as a Health Policy Consultant leading large-scale service redesigns across the mental health and aged care sectors. In one such project, I restructured a regional mental health service model, which improved care coordination and reduced waiting times by 25%, while maintaining high patient satisfaction. I also hold a Master of Public Health, which has further strengthened my policy analysis and research capabilities.
Communication has been a key strength throughout my career. I regularly provide high-quality, timely advice to executives and boards, drawing on detailed evidence reviews, stakeholder insights, and regulatory frameworks. My ability to distil complex policy issues into clear recommendations has supported well-informed decision-making across diverse health environments.
My stakeholder engagement and interpersonal skills have enabled me to build trusted relationships across a wide range of partners—from clinicians and hospital executives to patient advocacy groups. I have worked closely with palliative care providers to embed new models of care and understand their frontline challenges. These relationships have been crucial in shaping practical, sustainable policy changes.
I work independently with strong organisational and time management skills, and I am comfortable managing competing priorities in fast-paced environments. I have successfully led multiple policy projects simultaneously, balancing strategic planning with the need to respond quickly to urgent issues. My decision-making approach is grounded in consultation, evidence, and alignment with broader service goals.
While I have not yet worked directly within NSW Health, I have consulted on projects that interface with government agencies, and I have a strong understanding of public sector processes. In addition, I have experience managing procurement activities aligned with government expectations, including vendor selection, contract negotiations, and performance reporting for health service providers.
I am motivated by the opportunity to use my private sector experience to contribute to high-quality public health policy. I would welcome the chance to support the Ministry’s important work in end-of-life and palliative care, and bring a collaborative, outcomes-focused approach to the Senior Policy Officer role.
Thank you for considering my application.
Kind regards,
Sophia
How to Use the STAR Method When Applying for a Senior Policy Officer Role
The STAR Method is a powerful tool that helps job applicants showcase their skills and experiences effectively.
The acronym STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result, providing a structured way to demonstrate competencies that are crucial for any role, including a Senior Policy Officer within the NSW Government. In this context, the method is particularly important for crafting impactful cover letters where candidates are often required to provide clear, concise, and relevant examples of past achievements.
For instance, in Sophia’s cover letter for the NSW Health Senior Policy Officer position, she employed the STAR Method to highlight her experience as a Health Policy Consultant.
- The Situation she described was leading a project to restructure the mental health service delivery model.
- Her Task was to enhance service efficiency while maintaining high patient satisfaction.
- To achieve this, she took decisive Action by assembling a cross-functional team, formulating a comprehensive project plan, engaging with stakeholders, and implementing process improvements.
- The Result was a significant 25% increase in service efficiency while satisfaction levels remained high.
This example not only underscores her project management skills but also illustrates her ability to communicate and collaborate with stakeholders, addressing multiple capabilities often sought after in government roles.
By using the STAR Method, applicants like Sophia can clearly connect their experiences with the required capabilities, making them strong contenders for the role.
How to Prepare for a Government Interview for a Senior Policy Officer Role
NSW Government interviews are known for being structured and capability-based, focusing on assessing a candidate’s ability to meet specific job requirements. To prepare effectively, it’s essential to develop STAR-based responses that correspond to the role’s capability framework.
Consider the following example interview questions for a Senior Policy Officer role:
- Describe a situation where you had to influence a stakeholder to adopt a policy change. What actions did you take, and what was the outcome?
- Provide an example of a challenging policy development project you managed. How did you ensure successful completion?
- Tell us about a time when you had to communicate complex information to a non-expert audience. What strategies did you use to ensure understanding?
To further improve your interview preparation, consider downloading a Government Interview Workbook or ordering custom interview questions tailored to the Senior Policy Officer role. This can provide additional guidance and enhance your readiness, helping you make a strong impression during the actual interview.
Start Your NSW Health Career In Policy
Are you prepared to take the next step and submit your application? If so, head to I Work for NSW to get started.
- Read the role description carefully.
- Tailor your examples using the STAR method to highlight relevant experience.
- Start your application early, and ensure you proofread your work.
Make use of the free cover letter template available to help get started on your application.
Additionally, for expert feedback on your draft cover letter, I offer unlimited revisions to ensure you don’t miss any key points. Getting insights from a hiring manager can make all the difference in presenting your best self, as many applicants overlook this essential step. Don’t let that be you!
