Senior Assessment & Risk Officer

Who we are

The NSW Early Learning Commission (Commission) established as the independent regulator for early childhood education and care (ECEC) in New South Wales on 1 December 2025 is responsible for regulating more than 6000 ECEC services across the state.

Our role is to ensure services meet high standards of safety quality and compliance through ongoing assessment monitoring and enforcement.

The Commission places children at the centre of all decision-making working to ensure they are safe respected and supported to thrive in high-quality early learning environments that promote their development wellbeing and lifelong learning. It also drives continuous improvement across the sector through evidence-informed regulation and reform to strengthen community confidence in ECEC services.

The Commission respects and values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia.

• Temporary Full-Time opportunity until 30 June 2029
• Located in Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available
• Salary ranges from $113574 to $125720 p.a. plus employers contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.

About the role

As a Senior Assessment and Risk Officer your role is critical in safeguarding childrens safety and support service quality in early childhood education and care sector (ECEC). You will lead the assessments of ECEC service applications ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks

In this role you will:

• Review and approve assessments providing guidance and coaching to team members to ensure accurate consistent and compliance to regulatory requirements
• Make informed decisions on complex or ambiguous matter by analysing information and applying risk-based approach
• Identify emerging risk review processes and recommend policy or operational improvements
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with various stakeholders.
• Undertake compliance field visit to assess application such as new services waiver and capacity changes

For further information please click here to view the role description

About you

You are an experienced regulatory professional with strong analytical skills. You bring critical thinking and risk-based mindset with the ability to operate effectively in a high-pressure high-volume environment.

The successful candidate will:

• Demonstrate ability to analyse complex information and make clear risk-based decisions
• Exceptional communication skills to interpret complex legislation and provide high-quality advice and solutions
• Strong ability to interpret and apply legislation and regulatory frameworks in a practical manner
• High attention to detail with ability to manage competing priorities in a high-risk environment
• Experience contributing to process improvements identifying emerging risk or trends
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a focus on building positive relationships

Essential requirements of the role

• Current and valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance for paid employment.
• Demonstrated understanding of and committed to the value of early childhood education and care.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive remunerations salary sacrificing employers contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements generous holidays & leave conditions
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Early Learning Commission to support your career growth

How to apply

If excited by the information above we look forward to receiving your application including a copy of yourresume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role as well as your response to the two pre-screening questions below:

Question 1

Select a piece of work or a project and describe how you organised your work or work area to ensure maximum efficiency.

Question 2

Give an example of where you have had to involve and work with employees from other divisions in order to improve a customer service process. Please describe what happened and the result.

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their application materials independently. The selection panel values authentic and personally written responses that reflect your own experience insights and alignment with the Departments values and priorities.

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 or NSW Early Learning Commission 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 website for more information.

Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens permanent residents New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa.

Closing date: Thursday 14 May 2026 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Joanne Sykes at and for recruitment process enquiries please contact Jenny Nguyen at

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people people of any age or gender people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and/or from the LGBTQIA community veterans refugees people with disability people with sensory differences and neurodiverse people. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine please reach out to the contact person for this recruitment details listed above. For more information visit the NSW Department of Educations Diversity equity and inclusion webpage.

A recruitment pool may be created through this process for ongoing and temporary opportunities in the same or similar roles. The pool will consist of applicants assessed as suitable who may be considered for temporary term or ongoing positions over the next 18 months.