Principal Policy Advisor (Cranes)

Randstad is searching for a skilled and accomplished Principal Policy Officers who possesses a keen eye for detail and excels in their field. This role requires the ability to build and sustain strong relationships. Our collaborative department is in need of an enthusiastic individual who embraces challenges and is committed to making a positive impact within transport for the state government sector.

About your new role

The Principal Policy Officer is responsible for driving the reform and modernisation of crane road access by transitioning movements from manual, permit-dependent processes into automated, network-based pathways within the National Automated Access System. Working within a matrix project environment, the role analyses historical permit data, notices and legislative frameworks to establish enduring policy settings and translate complex access requirements such as axle loadings, travel curfews, route restrictions and pilot or escort conditions into codified digital business rules for system implementation. Additionally, the officer leads critical cross-agency consultations with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, local councils, industry peak bodies and regional road managers to resolve onboarding barriers, whilst delivering authoritative Ministerial briefings, risk assessments and release-readiness advice to support automated decision-making across State and local government road networks.

What you will need to exceed

• Ensuring every digital rule maps directly back to a legislative power, regulatory instrument, or defensible engineering standard.
• Navigating and applying the Heavy Vehicle National Law, state-specific transport acts and local road management regulations.
• Formulating enforceable access notices, gazette notices, permit conditions, guidelines and formal road manager delegations.
• Assessing the legal risk of moving from manual assessment to automated consent, ensuring statutory road manager responsibilities remain defensible.
• Practical grasp of mass, dimension, swept path, axle spacing, bridge capacity formulas and Special Purpose Vehicle classifications.
• Reconciling industry demand for instant network access with local council reluctance regarding pavement wear, bridge health and public liability.
• Drafting audit-proof decision logs, Ministerial briefs and executive submissions that clearly communicate complex technical trade-offs.
• Direct exposure to oversize/overmass movement approvals, permit workflows, or network gazettals.
• Prior experience transitioning vehicles from single-trip/period permits to pre-approved network access, national notices, or automated pre-consents.
• Experience consulting directly with municipal engineers, asset managers, or regional joint organisations to resolve infrastructure or access concerns.

Next steps

If you are a policy expert with a commitment to inclusivity, collaboration and transformative change, we invite you to apply and be part of this inspiring journey.

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.