Board Governance Adviser

• Play a key role in supporting the RBA's boards and senior leadership to make decisions that affect the nation.

• Provide expert advice on governance and statutory obligations in one of Australia's most significant public institutions.

• Join a high-performing team at the heart of Australia’s central bank.

About the Team

Secretary's Department sits at the centre of the Reserve Bank's unique governance arrangements. The team supports the RBA’s three boards (Governance Board, including its Audit and Risk Committee, Monetary Policy Board and Payments System Board), the Governors and Executive Committee, helping ensure the RBA meets high standards of governance, accountability and transparency.

The department provides advice, secretariat services and coordination on a broad range of matters. In addition to its role in coordinating board and Executive Committee meetings, this includes parliamentary engagement, government relations, corporate disclosures, internal governance and freedom of information requests. Secretary’s Department works closely with senior leaders across the RBA to support strategic decision-making and maintain public trust in the institution.

About the Role

This newly created role will support the RBA’s Deputy Secretaries to provide expert advice on board governance, legislation and decision-making frameworks across the RBA.

This is not a traditional company secretariat role. It will require you to understand the RBA's policy and operational responsibilities and apply governance principles in a way that supports effective decision-making and accountability. You will help the RBA navigate emerging governance challenges, provide advice on statutory obligations and accountability requirements, and contribute to governance arrangements that are effective, contemporary and fit for purpose.

Your responsibilities will include:

• advising on governance, statutory obligations and decision-making frameworks to support the RBA’s three boards, Audit and Risk Committee and Executive Committee

• interpreting and applying legislative and policy frameworks, including the Reserve Bank Act 1959, Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and Freedom of Information Act 1982

• developing and maintaining governance frameworks, board charters, board delegations, policies and other related documents

• advising on conflicts of interest, accountability arrangements and compliance obligations

• monitoring legislative, regulatory and governance developments and advising on their implications for the RBA

• providing additional capability for freedom of information matters, as required

• contributing to key public disclosures, including the Annual Report, Annual Performance Statement and Corporate Plan

• supporting continuous improvement across the RBA’s governance framework.

You will work closely with the Board Secretariat team, Legal Department and senior stakeholders across the Bank, contributing to significant organisational initiatives.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• experience providing advice on legislative, governance, regulatory and/or public policy issues, ideally in a public sector or regulated environment

• the ability to quickly understand complex issues, identify what matters most, and apply governance and legislative frameworks in a way that is proportionate, practical and fit for purpose (in the context of the RBA’s policy and operational responsibilities)

• advanced drafting skills, including experience preparing advice, board papers, governance frameworks or similar materials for senior decision-makers

• the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and consistently deliver outcomes to budget and plan

• strong attention to detail, sound judgement and discretion when handling sensitive matters

• strong stakeholder management skills and the confidence to engage constructively with senior executives and other stakeholders

• intellectual curiosity, initiative and a commitment to continuous learning.

This role would suit a senior legal counsel or senior associate with 5+ years’ experience in a leading legal practice, government agency or regulator, or a policy professional with comparable analytical and advisory experience.

Success in this role requires the ability to understand how the RBA’s objectives shape its work and the legislative and governance frameworks within which it operates. It will particularly appeal to candidates who enjoy solving difficult problems, producing high-quality written work and working in a high-performing environment with a strong public purpose.

Be More

Working for an organisation that truly makes a difference to the people of Australia, we can offer development and career opportunities in a collaborative environment that supports your growth, wellbeing and promotes flexibility. Your individual growth and success drive the RBA forward as an organisation. Be more means you can do more, for yourself and for Australia.

Why RBA?

The RBA makes an important contribution to the Australian economy through the pursuit of national economic policy objectives and associated activities in financial markets and banking. We also issue Australia's banknotes and operate infrastructure critical to the payments system, all of which contribute to the welfare of the Australian people. Made up of specialists across a wide range of fields, our people, values, and culture play a critical role in achieving our objectives. Striving to be Open & Dynamic, we consider and incorporate different perspectives, work across teams and are transparent with each other, whilst delivering quality together effectively and focusing on outcomes by prioritising, testing, learning, and refining as we go. Our people conduct themselves with a high degree of integrity, while striving for excellence in the work they perform and the outcomes they achieve. We encourage intelligent inquiry and we treat one another with respect while promoting the public interest through our efforts. We know it is the growth and success of our people that drives the RBA forward. Come and make a bigger contribution while you build and develop your own skills too, because being more means you can do more, for yourself and for Australia.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion through key initiatives. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse background, those living with a disability and from the LGBTQ+ community. We are committed to making the recruitment process fair and equitable for all our candidates.

Application Close :

August 21, 2026

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