Field 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 6,000 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.

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

• 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 Southern NSW locations including Sutherland, Wollongong, Queanbeyan, Albury, Wagga Wagga and Griffith  

• 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 $99,938 to $110,271 plus super & annual leave loading.   

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 is a field based role and requires travel as part of core duties.  

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 work autonomously  

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  


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• A valid driver license and ability to undertake short-term travel, 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 overnight as needed to meet business needs - NSW Early Learning Commission is statewide. 


• Demonstrated understanding of and committed to the value of early childhood education and care.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements


• 35 hour working week


• Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer’s 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

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the essential requirements and the roles focus capabilities (outlined in the Role Description), as well as providing answers to the two pre-screening questions below.

Please attach a copy of your relevant qualifications, along with an academic transcript if available.

Question 1: 

Describe a time, using an example from an early childhood education and care setting, when you had to adjust your communication style in order to effectively deliver a key message.  What techniques did you utilise and what was the outcome? (300 words maximum)

Question 2:

Describe a time where you had to assist others to adhere to legislation or a code of conduct? What happened and how was this resolved?  (300 words maximum)

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 Department’s values and priorities.

Please refer to the Applicant’s 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: Tuesday 9th June 2026 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Belinda Wakeford at [email protected] or on 0476 830 804 and for recruitment process enquiries please contact Jenny Nguyen at [email protected]

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 Education’s 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.