Field Officer

The NSW Early Learning Commission is the new independent regulator of early childhood education and care services in NSW. We are dedicated to driving quality safety compliance and community confidence across the NSW ECEC sector by placing the safety wellbeing rights and best interests of children at the very centre of every decision and action.

• Multiple ongoing and temporary opportunities are available in supportive and high performing teams across the state who work hard to ensure the high quality and safety of early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across NSW.
• Current vacancies exist throughout NSW regional locations including Grafton Armidale Lismore Port Macquarie Coffs Harbour Tamworth Dubbo Central West Wagga Wagga and Albury
• A talent pool may be created through this recruitment process to fill anticipated vacancies in NSW regional locations over the next 18 months

• Competitive remuneration ranging from $99938 to $110271 plus super & annual leaveloading.

About the NSW Early Learning Commission

The NSW Early Learning Commission began operation as the independent regulator for early childhood education and care (ECEC) in New South Wales on 1 December 2025. We are responsible for regulating over 6000 ECEC services across NSW to ensure they meet stringent standards of safety quality and compliance. We oversee these services to protect childrens health safety and development through rigorous ongoing assessments and compliance monitoring.

The NSW Early Learning Commission is dedicated to driving quality safety compliance and community confidence across the NSW ECEC sector. We place the safety wellbeing rights and best interests of children at the very centre of every decision and action.

We respect and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Peoples of Australia.

For more information about the Early Learning Commission please visit NSW Early Learning Commission

About the role

Field Officers draw on their expertise gained from working in ECE to work collaboratively with ECEC services to ensure the paramount safety of children drive continuous improvement and deliver the best outcomes for children. Working as a Field Officer is rewarding challenging and impactful you can make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and their families.

The responsibilities include:

• Undertake compliance and monitoring and quality assessment and rating audits of service providers to ensure continual performance uplift of the ECEC sector.
• Recommend a range of regulatory actions to ensure consistent adherence to policy and procedures and proportionate regulatory responses to non-complaint services.
• Undertake relevant regulatory activities including site visits to support investigations of complaints and incidents and where necessary escalate matters to the Hub Coordinator and the Compliance and Investigations team.
• Maintain effective relationships with sector stakeholders and teams across the directorate to contribute to the delivery of planned objectives.
• Participate in hub groups to seek and provide information to enhance the knowledge and performance of the sector and to inform policy and program development.
• Implement engagement communication and capability development strategies to support continuous improvement in the sector.
• Apply sound decision-making skills in the preparation of quality evidence-based written reports submissions and correspondence.

To learn more about the role of an Authorised Officer please visit the Authorised Officer webpage review the Authorised Officer fact sheet and download the role description. This role requires travel as part of core duties. Please do not apply for field based roles if you are unable to regularly travel.

About you

• ECEC sector experience in one or more ECEC service types including implementation of ECEC pedagogy and programs oversight of continuous improvement and Regulatory compliance

• Confident in interpreting and applying legislative requirements

• Knowledgeable in early childhood education learning frameworks and best practice

• Skilled in conducting quality assessments and preparing evidence-based reports

• Experienced in managing stakeholder relationships and communicating clearly

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to undertake regular short-term travel to meet business needs and flexibility to work at varied times within the bandwidth

• Self-motivated organised and able to workautonomously

Applicants will be required to declare and provide details of any investigation(s) that they have been subject to at any time personally as an employee of an Early Childhood Education and Care Service or as a Responsible Person.

Essential requirements of the role

• A valid Working with Children Check clearance for paid employment

• A valid driver license as driving is an essential requirement of this role

• Degree or diploma or in the process of attaining a degree or diploma (with evidence to support progression) in a relevant discipline and/or relevant experience. For example Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) or Diploma Early Education and Care

• Regular travel including overnights as needed to meet business needs; NSW Early Learning Commission is NSW wide.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements

• 35 hour working week

• Competitive pay/remuneration salary sacrificing employers contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

• Flex leave entitlements generous holidays & leave conditions

• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the NSW Government to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the essential requirements and focus capabilities of this role as well as providing answers to the pre-screening questions below.

Please attach a copy of your relevant diploma or degree along with an academic transcript if available.

Question 1:

Q1: Describe how you have set goals for your own performance or that of a team you are currently working with What have you done in the past six months to ensure all goals are met (300words)

Question 2:

Q2: Describe a time where you had to make a difficult decision in your current role. What decision making skills did you apply What was the outcome (300 words)

Please refer to the Applicants Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking Apply Now.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). Visit the Office of the Childrens Guardian website for more information.

Closing date: Sunday 18th January 2026 at 11:59pm.

Please note due to the NSW Government closedown period (Wednesday 24 December 2025 Sunday 11 January 2026) applications for this recruitment will be reviewed commencing mid-January 2026. Additionally enquiries will be responded to from Monday 12 January 2026.

For role enquiries please contact Kathy Dryden via and for recruitment process enquiries please contact

We welcome applications from all ages and genders Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples culturally and linguistically diverse groups the LGBTQIA community veterans refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team () or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role and who may be considered for a range of similar roles including temporary term or ongoing roles over the next 18 months.