Looking to build a rewarding NSW Department of Education career?
This Executive Support Officer vacancy is ideal for highly organised professionals who want to support senior leadership in a meaningful way. The role is based in Parramatta CBD and offers a salary of $99,938–$110,271 per year plus superannuation and leave loading.
In this guide we explain what the role involves, how to apply and why the Department of Education is an exciting place to work. We also link to free templates, STAR method guides, interview tips and the Write It For Me service from Team 3Thirty.
Table of Contents
| Role | Executive Support Officer |
|---|---|
| Agency | NSW Department of Education |
| Location | Parramatta CBD, Sydney – Greater West |
| Pay | AUD $99,938 – $110,271 per year (plus super and leave loading) |
| Closing date | 05/11/2025 – 11:59 PM |
About the NSW Department of Education
The Department educates and inspires learners from early childhood through school to vocational education. It also invests in safer, more inclusive learning environments. Recent initiatives illustrate this commitment:
- Faster infrastructure delivery: In October 2025 the NSW Government reported that reforms to cut red tape in school infrastructure projects saved more than $29 million and avoided 19 years’ worth of delays. The streamlined processes meant 90 proposals progressed without the usual preliminary business cases, allowing critical infrastructure to be delivered up to a year and a half sooner.
- Nation‑leading child safety reforms: Also in October 2025, the government passed legislation strengthening child safety in early childhood education. The reforms introduce over 30 measures—mandating child‑safe recruitment practices, banning mobile phones in early learning settings and giving regulators new powers—to ensure children’s rights and wellbeing come first.
These initiatives highlight the Department’s focus on building modern facilities and putting children at the centre of education. Working here means contributing to a system that constantly evolves to deliver better outcomes for students and communities.
Why this NSW Department of Education role matters
The Executive Support Officer will provide high‑level administrative support to the Executive Director, Health, Safety and Staff Wellbeing. Your work will help manage diary commitments, prepare documents and ensure smooth operations within the directorate. You’ll play a vital part in keeping staff healthy and engaged—key to sustaining quality education.
What you will do in this Department of Education career
According to the job description, your responsibilities will include:
- Managing diaries and schedules: Coordinate the executive’s calendar, arrange travel and support meetings.
- Preparing business documents: Draft correspondence, agendas, minutes, presentations and briefing notes.
- Gathering and synthesising information: Collate background research to enable informed decision‑making.
- Improving systems and procedures: Maintain and enhance administrative practices and office processes.
What you’ll bring to your NSW Department of Education career
The Department is seeking someone who can operate with minimal guidance and handle sensitive information. The successful candidate will have strong time‑management and prioritisation skills, excellent organisation, proficiency in drafting documents, experience synthesising information and a focus on improving administrative systems. You must also demonstrate a commitment to public education and understand the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy.
When crafting your application, align your examples with these capabilities. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to demonstrate how you’ve managed diaries, improved processes or prepared documents. Team 3Thirty’s STAR method guide explains how to structure these stories clearly.
Salary and benefits in your NSW Department of Education career
The role offers a salary package of $99,938–$110,271 plus superannuation and leave loading, along with:
- 35‑hour work week and generous leave, providing work–life balance.
- Career development opportunities across one of the state’s largest employers.
- Inclusive workplace, with adjustments available during recruitment.
How to apply for NSW Department of Education career opportunities
The application process for this Executive Support Officer role focuses on two key documents:
- Resume (maximum 5 pages) – Tailor your CV to highlight your achievements in executive support, diary management, process improvement and document preparation. Quantify your impact where possible.
- Cover letter (maximum 2 pages) – Explain how you meet the “About you” criteria using the STAR method. Each paragraph should align with one of the capabilities listed above (organisation, communication, research and improvement). To structure your letter effectively, download Team 3Thirty’s free NSW Government cover letter template.
Make sure your cover letter demonstrates your commitment to public education and your understanding of the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy. Applications close 11:59 pm on Wednesday 5 November 2025.
Example STAR stories for this NSW Department of Education application
Your application should address each of the key capabilities outlined in the job ad. Use clear examples that demonstrate your skills and experience. Here’s how you might approach each capability:
Time management and prioritisation: In my current role as an Executive Assistant, I manage the calendars of two senior directors. During a recent organisational restructure, I prioritised competing meetings and deadlines by implementing a colour-coded system in Outlook. This allowed me to anticipate bottlenecks and reschedule non‑urgent tasks. As a result, both directors maintained uninterrupted work time and met all critical project milestones without delay.
Diary and travel management: Supporting the CEO of a not‑for‑profit, I coordinated weekly executive meetings, booked interstate travel and arranged complex itineraries. For example, I recently organised a multi‑city trip that included site visits, stakeholder meetings and a board presentation. I negotiated group rates with suppliers and built a detailed itinerary that accounted for travel time and contingencies, ensuring the CEO arrived prepared and on schedule.
Document preparation and correspondence: In my role as a Senior Administration Officer, I prepared agendas, minutes, briefing notes and reports for a high‑level steering committee. For instance, I drafted a 10‑page briefing paper summarising research findings and outlining recommendations for a new wellbeing initiative. After presenting the paper to the committee, the recommendations were approved, leading to a successful pilot program.
Research and information synthesis: Recently, I was tasked with gathering background information for a departmental submission to the Minister. I sourced data from internal reports, external audits and stakeholder feedback, then distilled this information into a concise summary with key insights and risks. My synthesis enabled the executive team to make informed decisions, and the submission received positive feedback for its clarity.
Improving administrative practices: When I joined my current employer, document storage and retrieval were inconsistent. I developed a new digital filing system with standardised naming conventions and introduced workflow templates for common tasks. This reduced document retrieval time by 40% and improved team compliance with record‑keeping policies.
Commitment to public education: As a volunteer literacy mentor in my community, I have seen first‑hand how education transforms lives. In my previous role with a government agency, I championed initiatives aligned with the Aboriginal Education Policy by organising cultural awareness training and liaising with Aboriginal stakeholders. These initiatives helped embed respect for Aboriginal cultures within the organisation and improved engagement with local communities.
Helpful resources for Department of Education careers
- Free templates and examples – Access the NSW Government cover letter template and browse example applications for inspiration.
- STAR method guide – Learn to craft compelling STAR examples for your resume and cover letter using the STAR method guide.
- Interview coaching – Prepare for panel interviews with Team 3Thirty’s Government Practice Interview Session.
- Recruitment advice – Explore their public sector recruitment guides to understand how hiring panels assess applications.
Ready to start your NSW Department of Education career without the stress?
If writing government applications feels overwhelming, Team 3Thirty’s Write It For Me service offers a faster, stress‑free solution. Here’s why candidates love it:
- Simple and quick – Just send the job URL and your email. The team reviews the role and starts drafting immediately.
- Complete application pack – You’ll receive tailored selection criteria responses, a cover letter or statement of claims and answers to any written components—pre‑formatted and ready to personalise.
- Easy to personalise – Clear prompts help you add your examples; then the writer refines everything to ensure it aligns with the role.
- Confidence and on‑time guarantees – Unlimited revisions ensure you’re satisfied, and if the draft isn’t returned in time you’ll get a full refund.
By using Write It For Me, you can focus on preparing for interviews while experts craft your application. It’s the easiest way to submit a standout application without the late‑night stress.
Final thoughts on your NSW Department of Education career
The Executive Support Officer role is an excellent gateway into a NSW Department of Education career. You’ll support a critical executive, contribute to staff wellbeing and join an organisation driving significant reforms—from cutting red tape in school infrastructure to leading nation‑wide child safety initiatives.
Use the resources above to craft a compelling resume and cover letter, align your STAR examples with the role requirements and consider professional help if you need it.
Good luck!
