Olivia Hawksworth

As an APS5 Policy Officer in the Workforce Policy team, my role encompasses a range of tasks to assist in building a more responsive National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) workforce. To undertake this role, I have been involved in the following tasks:

• Preparation of documents including Ministerial Briefs, Ministerial Submissions, Executive Correspondences, Secretary Talking Points, Ministerial Correspondences, Speeches for the Minister, and Deep Dive Presentations.
• Contributed to the budget preparation of a New Policy Proposals for the 2024-25 Budget.
• Cultivating strong relationships with senior executive staff and coordinating internal and external stakeholder relationships across government, including the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and peak stakeholders in the Disability Sector.
• Reviewing key legal advice from the Australian Government Solicitor in order to provide technical policy advice on wage impacts around disability workers.

During my first rotation in my graduate year within the Workforce Policy team, I contributed to a range of policy work including providing assistance in attraction, entry pathways and retention strategies for NDIS workers and developing technical skills in disability sector pay and entitlement settings.

Graduate, Safe and Supported: Workforce & Wellbeing Team

In my second rotation of the graduate year I expanded my skills in program management and undertook a large research project that is being considered by state and territory representatives, in the Safe and Supported: Workforce and Wellbeing team. In this role I worked independently to undertake various research projects on Australia’s Carers Register and present my findings to by Branch Executives and propose solutions with available funding. This role allowed me to understand budget processes and exposed me to costings processes.

In this role I provided both clerical and administrative support to my manager and wider team. Using my skills to manage operational matters, such as, record keeping, booking services, and assisting with patient admissions, transfers, and discharges. This position required me to think quickly on my feet, be exceptionally organized with confidential documentation, and be clear and succinct with my communication. A main learning from this role was how to be level-headed in high-pressure environments to ensure capability of producing outcomes.

During my time in this role I was able to strengthen my communication and leadership skills. I often acted as team leader, whereby my extra duties include ordering stock, supervising, and delegating responsibilities, open and close the store, and have responsibility for trading and banking for the day. I thrive working in team environments and my position as a sales assistant enabled me to expand on my customer service and interpersonal skills.