Six Current Opportunities to Become a NSW Government Grade 9/10 Officer
I want to start by saying this: you can get a government job. You don’t have to have worked in government before. You don’t need special contacts. What you do need is a good story about your skills and the right way to show that story in your application.
I’ve seen so many people make the jump — from private businesses, from schools, from hospitals, from small charities. The jobs we’re looking at today are all at Grade 9/10. That’s a solid professional level where you can have a big impact and build a strong career. If you follow the instructions and put your best examples forward, you can absolutely land one of these.
If you’re not sure how to find roles like these, see our guide on finding NSW public sector jobs. For a full understanding of how recruitment works, read the complete NSW recruitment guide.
Below I’ve picked six live roles. For each, I’ll tell you why it’s worth a closer look, and how I’d think about writing the application. Read them and ask yourself, “Could this be me?” If you see a good fit, don’t wait — get your application started.
Jump to a Role
Here’s a quick list of the six jobs we’re covering. Click any link to skip ahead:
- Senior Release Manager – NSW Trustee and Guardian
- Senior Project Officer, Surgery – NSW Health
- Corporate Planning, Reporting and Assurance Officer – SafeWork NSW
- Enterprise Technology Consultant – Parliament of NSW
- Lead Projects, Curriculum – NESA
- Asset Strategy and Planning Coordinator – Office of Sport
1) Senior Release Manager — NSW Trustee and Guardian
I’m including this job because it’s a very practical way in for someone who’s been running software releases or project cutovers in the private sector. It’s a full-time temporary role for up to 12 months, with a chance to extend. You’ll be helping an agency that supports some of the most vulnerable people in NSW. The work you do will have a direct and real-world impact.
In your application, focus on two or three strong stories from your own work — for example, times when you planned and led a complex release, solved a production problem fast, or kept a project on track. Write a clear two-page cover letter (use our free NSW cover letter template) and use the STAR method. Start with your most powerful example and line it up with the points in the “About You” section of the job ad.
2) Senior Project Officer, Surgery — NSW Health
I’ve called out this role because it’s an ongoing job — not a short-term contract — and that’s a big plus for anyone who wants stability. It’s a great fit if you’ve worked in hospitals or health projects and you’re ready to step into a more strategic role that shapes how surgical services are delivered across the system.
The application asks for a two-page cover letter plus responses to two targeted questions. Use a structured approach: about half a page per question, drawing on the examples for targeted questions. Show how your work improved patient outcomes, wait times, or service delivery. Clear evidence always stands out.
3) Corporate Planning, Reporting and Assurance Officer — SafeWork NSW
I’ve chosen this one because it’s a permanent role with flexibility to work in Parramatta, Sydney CBD, or Gosford. If you like planning, reporting, and helping an organisation keep track of performance, this is worth a look. SafeWork plays a crucial role in keeping workplaces safe, and the planning team helps make sure the agency stays on track.
The ad lists what you’ll need “to be successful in the role.” Use that list as your guide. Write a two-page cover letter (see our cover letter template) and for each point, give a short STAR example that proves you’ve done similar work. This could include planning cycles, audits, or how your reports have helped leaders make better decisions.
4) Enterprise Technology Consultant (Digital Transformation) — Parliament of NSW
I’ve called out this job because it’s a great opportunity for someone who hasn’t worked in government before but has strong IT consulting or project delivery skills. Digital transformation teams often welcome experienced people from the private sector who can bring fresh ideas and know how to deliver results in complex organisations.
This application asks for two targeted questions. Include your answers inside your two-page cover letter rather than as separate files. Each answer should focus on a strong project you’ve led — talk about the challenge, how you handled risks and stakeholders, and what outcomes you delivered. If you’re unfamiliar with government capability frameworks, review the NSW Focus Capabilities guide.
5) Lead Projects, Curriculum — NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
I’m highlighting this one because it’s perfect for teachers or school leaders who want to step into policy and curriculum projects. It’s a six-month temporary contract with the possibility to extend — a good chance to build experience in government while still drawing on your education background.
The application requires a two-page cover letter plus two targeted questions (up to 500 words each). In the cover letter, show your overall fit for the role. In the targeted questions, focus on one or two specific achievements — for example, leading curriculum changes, improving student outcomes, or rolling out new learning approaches. Be concrete about what changed as a result of your work and use the STAR method to keep your responses clear and evidence-based.
6) Asset Strategy and Planning Coordinator — Office of Sport
I wanted to include this role because it’s an ongoing job in a smaller agency, which often means less competition. It’s a great doorway into government for project professionals who have worked in infrastructure, facilities, or asset planning outside of government.
The job ad emphasises the “About You” section and key knowledge areas. In your two-page cover letter (see our free template), lead with your most relevant project. Show how you planned, delivered, or improved the use of assets, and include tangible results such as budgets managed, time saved, or risks reduced.
How to Tackle Any Grade 9/10 Application
I help a lot of candidates apply for roles at this level. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that it’s not about writing the longest letter or using fancy language. It’s about making it easy for the panel to see you meet the role’s needs. Here’s how I coach people to approach their applications:
- Follow the rules. Stick to the page limits and submit the exact documents they ask for. If you miss this, it’s often an instant no.
- Start strong. Lead with your most relevant and impressive example so the panel sees straight away why you’re a good fit. Use our cover letter template to structure it simply.
- Use STAR. Structure your examples as Situation, Task, Action, Result — and include numbers or clear outcomes where you can.
- Match the language. Echo the wording of the selection criteria and understand the NSW Focus Capabilities so the panel can easily tick off each requirement as they read.
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