The Authorised Officer's main role is to conduct assessment and rating visits, compliance visits and investigations as part of the core functions of the Regulatory Authority, performed in adherence with the Education and Care Services National Law 2010, the Victorian Children's Services Act 1996 and the Child Safe Standards. This includes managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders and providing regulatory advice and guidance.
About the Role
Multiple opportunities are available for highly motivated individuals with strong attention to detail and a passion for meaningful work to support VECRA with the compliance and quality assessment of ECEC services.
As an Authorised Officer, you will play a key role in promoting quality improvement and child safety in ECEC services by visiting centres and services to actively monitor compliance, undertake investigations and conduct assessment and rating visits in adherence with the National Law, Children's Services Act and Child Safe Standards. This dynamic and rewarding role will give you the opportunity to promote quality improvement and support practice outcomes, while working in a supportive environment that provides training and upskilling opportunities.
Key accountabilities will include:
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supporting and undertaking investigations following notifications of incidents or complaints and, where necessary, preparing evidence to determine the action to be taken based on the nature of the non-compliance
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applying a full range of regulatory tools to promote continuous improvement
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monitoring and reporting on approved education and care services' compliance with the NQFand the Child Safe Standards
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undertaking the assessment and rating process for approved education and care services against the NQS
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managing systems and processes for the collection and reporting of information relating to service quality and regulatory issues
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preparing detailed letters, briefings and reports relating to policy and operational issues
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communicating legislative and regulatory requirements across licensed and approved education and care services
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implementing quality assurance frameworks, systems and processes to give effect to legislative and regulatory requirements.
This advertisement is for multiple ongoing VPS4 positions reporting to the Operations Manager.
Authorised Officers are required to travel across the region and to metropolitan areas. This occasionally includes planned overnight stays. There may also be some flexible start and finish times to accommodate service visits.
We work flexibly at VECRA, and typical work arrangements involve a balance of working offsite independently while visiting ECEC services, with time in an office environment working as part of a bigger inclusive team.
This role has a requirement to work from a VECRA office 3-days per week, usually the Coburg or Bendigo offices.
In applying for these roles, you are signalling your understanding of and adherence to these travel and office-based work requirements.
Attributes
To be successful in this role, you will:
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be able to implement quality assurance frameworks, systems and processes to give effect to legislative and regulatory frameworks
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have strong planning and organising skills and attention to detail
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have strong critical thinking and problem solving skills, including the ability to analyse complex information
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demonstrate initiative and accountability in your work and decision making
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be confident in engaging with and providing advice to stakeholders, including services and parents
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be able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a wide range of groups
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have strong IT skills, be able to navigate a range of computer systems and follow business rules and guidelines
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have a willingness to learn.
While you will ideally have experience in compliance, investigations or working in an early learning environment with a deep understanding of the legislations and NQF, this is not essential. Candidates with suitably transferrable skills will be considered and are encouraged to apply.
Qualifications and Experience
Desirable: Re levant qualifications in early childhood education, teaching, or other human welfare studies, behavioural studies or similar.
Essential: Successful applicants will be required to hold a valid Victorian Working with Children Check and Victorian driver's licence.
Further Information
Please note that this advertisement is for a rolling bulk recruitment round that will be filling multiple ongoing roles. This job ad will remain live for 6 weeks, with candidates able to submit their application at any point while the ad is open. Multiple rounds of shortlisting and interviews will occur during and post the advertising window. Applicants who have not been shortlisted will be advised as soon as possible and are not encouraged to reapply to this recruitment process.
Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role.
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
VECRA values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for VECRA, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the VECRA website and our Diversity and Inclusion page.
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.
Information about VECRA's operations and employment conditions can be located on the VECRA website.
For further information pertaining to the role, please contact
Karen Cullen, Regional Manager, North West Victoria Region via phone on
(03) 7005 1929 or
email [email protected]
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to VECRA will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g. large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.
Applications close 11:59pm on 10-June-2026
