11.59pm AEST, Wednesday 16 September 2026
We actively seek to reflect the diversity of the Australian community in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and/or who are neurodivergent, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including people of all genders and gender identities. We uphold gender equality as a core organisational value. If you’re interested in the role but feel uncertain, we still encourage you to apply if you feel your passions, transferable skills and valuable experience align with this position.
The opportunity we have available
The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) aims to reduce passenger vehicle emissions by encouraging companies to supply more zero- and low-emissions vehicles to Australia. The Standard works by setting fleet-wide emissions targets for each supplier. Companies that beat their target in a given year can receive units to trade with other suppliers that have exceeded their target. The target becomes more stringent over time.
The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) Regulator sits within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, and is responsible for administering the NVES. Our vision is for a regulator that is informative, trusted and credible, and engaged. Currently, we consist of 4 sections:
- Regulatory Operations: monitoring regulated entity emissions performance against their target, managing the NVES Unit Registry, and coordinating compliance and enforcement action as appropriate.
- Business Systems Design: building the IT systems that underpin our regulatory operations and support industry to comply with their legislative obligations.
- Governance and Communications: producing communications products and engagement activities to support regulated entity compliance and broader stakeholder understanding of the NVES.
- Program Management Office (PMO): serves as a centralized hub for overseeing and coordinating program management activities within an the NVES Implementation Program.
By joining the NVES Regulator, you will be doing meaningful work that supports economic, health and environmental outcomes for Australians.
What you will do
We have a position available for a Data Scientist (APS6) to join the NVES Regulator. The Data Scientist provides specialist advice and support to the regulatory operations team, directly contributing to the delivery of intelligence and assurance functions. In this role you will apply data-driven methods and insights to inform and manage risk, support evidence-based decision making, and continuously improve processes and systems that underpin day-to-day monitoring, reporting and compliance activities. The successful candidate will demonstrate a proactive attitude, a curious mind and a commitment to ongoing development of domain knowledge and data skills.
Specific duties and responsibilities:
- Contribute to data quality assurance: Support the development, implementation and continuous improvement of processes to maintain data integrity across NVES regulatory operations. Perform data validation and quality checks to ensure accuracy, consistency and completeness.
- Support IT design and testing: Assist in defining business and data requirements for NVES IT systems, and participate in user testing, to ensure data and systems are fit for purpose for regulatory staff and regulated entities.
- Data collection and analysis: Collect, clean, curate and analyse structured and unstructured datasets using tools such as Power BI, Excel, Python/R, and SQL to generate insights for regulatory decision-making.
- Modelling and anomaly detection: Develop and maintain statistical and machine learning models and processes to identify anomalies and trigger correction workflows.
- Data products and reporting: Develop and maintain interactive dashboards and other data products to support routine monitoring and reporting.
- Process improvement: Collaborate with business areas to design, implement and refine processes for investigating and resolving data issues.
- Stakeholder insights: Present data-driven insights to team, leadership and broader stakeholders to inform engagement, compliance and enforcement strategies, and policy development.
- Domain knowledge and advice: Acquire and apply domain knowledge relevant to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard to ensure accurate data interpretation and analysis.
- Communications and engagement: Contribute to communication and engagement activities that build trust and confidence in the NVES regulatory framework.
- Specialist advice and professional development: Maintain awareness of and provide advice relating to emerging trends, technologies and practices in business intelligence and data science.
Inherent requirements for the role
We are looking for people who have:
- Prior experience in a data science or analytics role, with a practical understanding of the full data science lifecycle.
- Demonstrated technical proficiency in Azure Databricks, Power BI and Python programming, with the ability to develop, maintain and optimise data processing, analytics and reporting solutions.
- Experience applying government data standards and secure data handling practices within a data governance framework.
- Strong communication skills with ability to translate complex data insights into clear narratives and actionable outcomes.
- Ability to work effectively in a hybrid team, and engage with a range of stakeholders including operations staff, executive leadership, IT teams, and external partners.
RecruitAbility
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is committed to supporting the employment and career development of people with disability. Our participation in APS RecruitAbility means we will progress an applicant with disability to a further stage in the recruitment process, where they opt into RecruitAbility and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy.
The RecruitAbility minimum requirements are listed above under ‘inherent requirements for the role’.
You will be asked to indicate if you wish to opt into RecruitAbility in the application form. You must tick the 'opt in' box to participate in RecruitAbility. Simply declaring that you have a disability will not automatically include you.
We provide reasonable adjustments such as access, equipment or other practical support at relevant stages of the recruitment process. Please advise in the application form or get in touch with the contact officer if you need any adjustments made.
More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.
Desirable requirements
- Data science qualifications are highly desirable however candidates with 3+ years experience aligned to the above requirements are welcome to apply.
- An understanding of, or experience in an automotive or environmental sector will be advantageous.
Cultural capability requirement
The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.
As an APS6 you will be expected to:
- Consider the cultural context and implications of work area outcomes.
- Engage respectfully with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, building trusted relationships.
- Communicate respectfully and seeks appropriate cultural input to inform decisions.
We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering individuals to set goals, acquire new skills, and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the benefits we offer include:
- Access to our study Assistance Program that provides paid leave and financial support for you to undertake courses of study that contribute to the improvements of your professional skills and knowledge relevant to our work and broader Australian Public Service.
- Through our investment in learning and development opportunities, and a positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
- Improve your leadership skills, through the department’s Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
- Flexible working opportunities, including part time hours and home-based work.
- We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month’s accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.
Join our department and embark on a journey of growth, fulfillment, and well-being. Experience personal and professional development, prioritise your health, and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.
Eligibility requirements
Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:
- Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
- Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
- Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
- Police check: The successful candidate must complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
- Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.
How to apply
Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEST, Wednesday 16 September 2026.
Prior to preparing your application for the department, please read our Artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment at the department principles. The principles aim to help you use AI in a way that supports your application and maintains fairness and transparency while maintaining your integrity as a candidate. They outline what is and isn’t acceptable use of AI in APS recruitment.
In applying for this position, you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather, you should provide in a PDF document a statement of no more than 2 pages outlining your background, capabilities and experiences and how these align with the advertised role.
You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF, no more than 2 pages. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the ‘inherent requirements for the role’ section.
Your application should be received through the department’s online recruitment system prior to the closing date and time to be considered.
If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team on 02 6136 8989 or via email at [email protected] to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.
Please advise the contact officer if you require adjustments during the recruitment process. We recognise and value diversity as our strength and promote a culture of inclusion to enhance our work performance and the wellbeing of our employees. We are committed to systems that are accessible, inclusive and safe for all. If you need any further information about accessibility and inclusion at our department, please contact [email protected].
Timeline and assessment
A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.
If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.
Applications open: 3 September 2026
Applications close: 16 September 2026
Application shortlisting: 23 September 2026
Further assessments: 30 September 2026
Selection report finalised: Week starting 19 October 2026
Offers and announcements: Week starting 26 October 2026
The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.
Your application will be assessed against the inherent requirements of the role, the Work level standards and in comparison to other candidates who applied. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews and reference checks.
Work with us. Apply now!
