Are you ready to make a significant impact on the future of infrastructure in New South Wales? The Senior Policy Officer role at Infrastructure NSW offers a chance to contribute to major initiatives that shape the state’s infrastructure landscape. With a competitive salary and the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, this role is perfect for strategic thinkers with a passion for policy development.
Joining Infrastructure NSW means you’ll be part of a team that provides independent, evidence-based advice on infrastructure priorities. You’ll have the chance to work on the State Infrastructure Strategy and address social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Plus, with flexible working arrangements and a prime location in Sydney City, this role is as rewarding as it is challenging. For more insights on navigating NSW government recruitment, check out the Unofficial Guide to NSW Government Recruitment and our free NSW cover-letter template.
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Senior Policy Officer Salary and Overview
| Position Title | Senior Policy Officer |
| Organisation / Entity | Infrastructure NSW |
| Location | Sydney Region / Sydney City |
| Work Type | Full-Time |
| Base Pay | AUD $129,464 – $142,665 per year |
| Closing Date | 03/09/2025 – 10:00 AM |
About the Senior Policy Officer at Infrastructure NSW
The Senior Policy Officer, Infrastructure Coordination and Sustainability plays a key role in shaping NSW’s long-term infrastructure strategy. Working within Infrastructure NSW, this role supports the development of major policy products such as the State Infrastructure Strategy (SIS) and contributes to the functions of the Coordinator General. It involves deep research and data analysis to inform policy advice on critical infrastructure challenges with social, economic, and environmental impacts. From preparing public-facing reports to providing clear, actionable recommendations, the role is central to delivering infrastructure solutions that benefit the people of NSW.
This is a high-impact role suited to professionals who thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments. It demands strong analytical skills, the ability to translate complex data into accessible insights, and the confidence to engage with stakeholders across government and industry. Balancing multiple priorities while supporting evidence-based policy outcomes, the Senior Policy Officer helps drive strategic infrastructure planning that is responsive, sustainable, and aligned with state objectives.
Why You Might Apply For Senior Policy Office
This role is a fantastic opportunity for professionals looking to transition from the private sector to the public sector, offering competitive pay and the chance to influence state-wide infrastructure policies. Here are some compelling reasons to consider this role:
- Competitive salary range: $129,464 – $142,665 plus superannuation.
- Temporary position until 7 September 2027 with full-time hours.
- Ideal for candidates with no government experience but a strong background in policy development or infrastructure coordination.
This role is ideal for professionals with a background in infrastructure strategy, policy advisory, or sustainability planning. If you’ve worked in consulting, utilities, or large-scale project environments and enjoy turning complex data into practical insights, this is a strong fit. It suits someone who thrives in fast-paced, multi-stakeholder settings and wants to shape the future of NSW infrastructure.
Application Requirements for Senior Policy Officer
Infrastructure NSW Application Process
To give yourself the best chance of success, it’s essential to follow the application instructions carefully. Applications that are missing documents, exceed page limits, or don’t meet formatting requirements may be screened out early—regardless of how strong the content is.
Here’s what you’ll need to submit:
- Resume – A clear and concise summary of your relevant experience, qualifications, and achievements, ideally tailored to the key accountabilities of the role.
- Cover Letter – A maximum of 2 pages that directly addresses how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the role requirements. Be sure to align your examples to the capabilities listed below.
To get started on your own application, you can download and use the free NSW Government cover letter template, which is designed to help you structure your responses clearly and effectively.
What to Include in Your Senior Policy Officer Cover Letter
To apply for the Senior Policy Officer, Infrastructure Coordination and Sustainability position, use your cover letter to introduce yourself to the Hiring Manager and clearly explain how your experience aligns with the role requirements. Your cover letter should be no more than two pages and use language that closely reflects the job advertisement—this helps demonstrate your understanding of the role and shows that you meet the specific criteria.
For this role, you must address all of the following capabilities:
- Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field such as public policy, law, economics, planning, sustainability, engineering, or data science—or equivalent professional experience.
- Strong attention to detail and the ability to interpret and integrate complex qualitative and quantitative data.
- Experience in infrastructure coordination, strategic planning, or project delivery.
- Sound understanding of government processes, public policy, and implementation pathways.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes under tight timeframes.
- Demonstrated flexibility and resilience in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
- Proven capacity to adapt quickly to change and contribute proactively to team goals.
Addressing these capabilities with specific examples will help your application stand out and clearly show how you are prepared to contribute to Infrastructure NSW’s strategic priorities.
Senior Policy Officer Application Checklist
| ✅ | Read the full job ad — Open the listing on I Work for NSW and make sure it’s a role you’re genuinely interested in. |
| ✅ | Want to apply? — Just copy the job ad URL and submit it via the Write It For Me form to get started right away. |
| ✅ | Let me do the hard part — I’ll prepare your complete application pack, tailored specifically to the role |
| ✅ | Fill in your story — You’ll receive pre-filled, easy-to-use documents with prompts to help you add your personal experience and examples. |
| ✅ | Get expert review — Send it back for a final polish from someone who’s worked on real government hiring panels. |
| ✅ | Apply with confidence — Submit a professional application that meets all the criteria—and positions you as a standout candidate. |
Candidate Profile — Senior Policy Officer
Maria is a Senior Strategy Analyst at a national engineering and infrastructure consultancy, where she has spent the past five years advising government and private clients on long-term infrastructure planning, risk management, and sustainability integration. Her work has included major transport and energy projects across NSW, where she has led research, policy analysis, and cross-sector engagement to support evidence-based decision-making. Maria’s ability to interpret complex data and translate it into actionable insights has made her a trusted advisor in projects that shape strategic investment and planning.
With a background in economics and environmental management, Maria brings a unique combination of analytical rigour and systems thinking to infrastructure challenges. She has worked closely with government agencies, industry regulators, and community stakeholders to develop integrated policy responses and project recommendations. Now, she is seeking to move into the public sector to contribute more directly to long-term planning and policy reform that delivers social, economic, and environmental outcomes for the people of NSW.
Senior Policy Officer Example Cover Letter
Dear Hiring Manager,
With over five years of experience as a Senior Strategy Analyst in the private sector, I have developed deep expertise in infrastructure planning, sustainability integration, and strategic delivery across major projects in NSW. I am now seeking to contribute these capabilities in a public sector context, where I can help shape long-term infrastructure decisions that deliver positive outcomes for communities across the state.
I hold tertiary qualifications in economics and environmental management, which provide a strong foundation for infrastructure policy and planning. My studies focused on economic evaluation and sustainability systems, equipping me with the analytical and policy frameworks I now apply daily in my consulting work. For example, I recently used this training to develop a value-for-money assessment tool for an energy client, helping them assess the social and environmental return on future grid investments.
I bring a well-developed ability to interpret and integrate complex data into clear, actionable insights. On a recent engagement for a state transport authority, I was responsible for consolidating several data sources—ranging from community travel behaviour surveys to regional growth forecasts—to inform a corridor prioritisation study. Many of these datasets used different metrics and definitions, which created inconsistencies. I led a data reconciliation process, designed a set of common indicators, and developed interactive dashboards for stakeholder briefings. This allowed decision-makers to visualise gaps and overlaps in the network, and ultimately led to the reprioritisation of two major infrastructure upgrades in line with actual usage trends.
I have direct experience with infrastructure coordination and strategic planning, developed through leading complex, cross-disciplinary projects. One example is my work on a long-term logistics hub strategy for a national freight operator. The project aimed to identify infrastructure requirements across multiple states, involving engineers, land planners, and policy advisors. I facilitated early alignment between parties by mapping interdependencies, risks, and regulatory timelines. I developed the scenario models that guided investment decisions and presented the final strategy to the client’s executive. This work was later used to engage both state and federal stakeholders as part of funding and planning negotiations, demonstrating the importance of joined-up infrastructure planning.
Over the years, I’ve built a strong understanding of government processes and policy implementation pathways, particularly through direct collaboration with public sector clients. One notable project involved supporting a local council to align its strategic community plan with the objectives outlined in the NSW State Infrastructure Strategy. I conducted a review of relevant state policies, led consultations with planning and policy teams, and co-authored a framework that linked local initiatives to broader state priorities. I also advised on how to structure implementation milestones to meet funding and reporting obligations. The work strengthened the council’s strategic positioning and helped it secure additional state funding for local infrastructure projects.
I have consistently managed competing priorities and delivered high-quality outputs under pressure. A prime example was a complex three-month project for a utilities provider, which involved preparing a regulatory strategy alongside detailed technical documentation, stakeholder communication materials, and a board-level investment paper—all with overlapping deadlines. I led the core workstream, coordinated input from five contributors, and maintained a detailed project plan to keep us on track. When our timeline was compressed due to an unexpected board date change, I restructured deliverables and worked late nights to ensure we delivered without compromising quality. The submission was approved, and our firm was commended for its professionalism and attention to detail.
I remain flexible and resilient in fast-changing environments. This has been tested repeatedly, particularly during large-scale projects with unexpected disruptions. During the pandemic, I was leading an engagement that relied heavily on in-person site visits and community consultation for a regional infrastructure upgrade. When lockdowns halted these plans, I redesigned our engagement strategy within days—introducing virtual workshops, asynchronous input tools, and local partner facilitation. Despite the disruption, we completed all deliverables on time, and our client praised the accessibility and inclusivity of our modified approach.
Lastly, I bring a proactive and adaptable mindset, particularly when working within multidisciplinary teams under pressure. On a national benchmarking project, I joined midway through to replace a team member who had suddenly departed. The project involved compiling performance data from over 40 local governments and synthesising it into policy recommendations. I quickly reviewed previous work, identified gaps, and restructured our reporting approach to ensure coherence. I worked closely with team members across three offices, ensuring alignment and a smooth delivery process. My efforts helped turn around a challenging situation and deliver a final product that exceeded client expectations.
I am excited about the opportunity to apply my skills in a public sector role that combines strategic insight, infrastructure knowledge, and policy development. I am confident that my experience and values align closely with the priorities of Infrastructure NSW, and I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to your important work.
Kind regards,
Maria
How to Use the STAR Method for Senior Policy Officer Applications
The STAR method is a simple yet powerful way to structure your responses in government job applications. It stands for:
- S – Situation: Describe the context.
- T – Task: Explain your responsibility or objective.
- A – Action: Detail the steps you took.
- R – Result: Share the outcome and impact.
Using STAR helps you clearly demonstrate that you have the exact experience relevant to the role.
Example: Managing Competing Priorities
In her cover letter, Maria describes leading a high-pressure engagement for a utilities provider with multiple overlapping deadlines. (Situation) She was responsible for coordinating technical and strategic deliverables, including regulatory submissions and board materials. (Task) Maria developed a project plan, managed a diverse team, and adjusted the workflow when timelines unexpectedly changed. (Action) As a result, her team delivered a high-quality submission on time, and the board approved the strategy with commendation. (Result)
This concise, structured format makes your examples easier to follow—and more convincing to selection panels.
Get Your Senior Policy Officer Application Ready Now
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