Policy and Planning Manager

Policy and Planning Managers sit at the intersection of research, strategy, and governance. They study how an organisation or government body currently operates, identify gaps or risks, and then design policies or plans to address them. This could mean drafting a new workplace safety policy for a large employer, developing a land-use plan for a local council, or building a strategic framework for a government department. The role involves reading legislation and research, consulting with stakeholders, writing clear documents, and presenting recommendations to senior leaders. It is a desk-heavy role with a strong writing and analytical focus.

A typical day might start with reviewing feedback on a draft policy document, then attending a meeting with legal or finance colleagues to check that a proposed plan is workable. The afternoon could involve researching how similar organisations have handled a policy problem, writing a briefing note for an executive, or presenting options to a steering committee. Stakeholder consultation is common, which may include running workshops or responding to written submissions. Deadlines tied to budget cycles, legislative reviews, or government reporting periods shape the pace of the work.

Most people in this role hold a bachelor degree or a master's degree, often in public policy, public administration, planning, law, economics, or a related social science field (JSA Occupation Profile). A master's degree may improve competitiveness for senior roles or positions in specialised policy areas. Relevant work experience in research, project management, or a related professional field is commonly expected alongside formal qualifications. Course options can be explored at yourcareer.gov.au or dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe.

The real challenge in this role is that good policy work takes time, but organisations often want quick answers. You may spend months consulting, researching, and drafting, only to have a recommendation shelved due to a change in government, a budget cut, or shifting priorities. The work can feel abstract, and it is not always easy to see a direct link between a policy document and a real-world outcome. People moving into this role from operational or technical backgrounds sometimes find the shift to advisory work frustrating, particularly when they have no direct authority to implement what they recommend. Strong written communication is non-negotiable, and people who struggle to write clearly for non-specialist audiences may find the role harder than expected.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 1324, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Negotiationcore
• Policy Interpretationcore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Process Documentationcore
• Process Improvement Identificationcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Reporting and Analyticscore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Attention to Detail
• Community Development
• Correspondence Drafting
• Electronic Document Management
• Group Facilitation
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Power BI Reporting and Dashboards
• Time Management and Prioritisation

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

What Policy and Planning Manager workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026