Department of State Development
Job reference: 841661
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About us:                                                                

The Department of State Development is the South Australian Government’s lead economic development agency. 

Our mission is to drive sustainable economic growth in South Australia by increasing industrial and workforce capability, capacity, collaboration and resilience. We take pride in hiring the right people for the right jobs and offer an attractive, flexible workplace. 

For more information about our agency, please visit: 

Department of State Development | statedevelopment.sa.gov.au 

The South Australian Skills Commission (the Commission) is a statutory authority established under the South Australian Skills Act 2008 (SAS Act).

The Commission regulates the state's apprenticeship and traineeship system and advises the Minister for Education, Training and Skills on the quality and performance of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Adult Community Education (ACE) in South Australia. As part of its role, the Commission provides complaint handling and dispute resolution services for apprentices, trainees, employers and VET students, including international students. The Commission has established ten Industry Skills Councils that support its ministerial advisory role and other legislated functions under the SAS Act, and to act as key points of industry engagement across government.

For more information, please visit: 

South Australian Skills Commission I skillscommission@sa.gov.au

About the role:

As an Adviser, you will play a key role in helping apprentices, trainees, employers and VET students resolve complaints and disputes. You will use a specialist case‑management approach to guide and support clients, providing advice, mediation, negotiation and practical problem‑solving to help parties reach fair and timely outcomes.

The Adviser ensures the delivery of consistent, high‑quality services by developing and maintaining positive, collaborative and enabling relationships with a range of clients to support effective dispute resolution. It also ensures that agreed outcomes are made in accordance with relevant legislation and standards, including the SAS Act the South Australian Skills Regulations 2021 and the South Australian Skills Standards.

As an Adviser, you will:

1. Deliver complaint handling and dispute resolution services including through mediation, advocacy, negotiation and support, in accordance with the SAS Act, Regulations and Skills Standards including Standard 12: Complaint Handling, Mediation and Advocacy.
2. Provide high-level assistance to clients navigating the VET and apprenticeship/ traineeship systems and develop practical strategies to resolve matters at an early stage.
3. Conduct and coordinate mediation, facilitating negotiated outcomes between disputing parties and attempting to resolve complaints and disputes through established mediation processes.
4. Support South Australian Employment Tribunal (SAET) processes where they relate to cases involving apprentices or trainees, including supporting clients who are appearing before the SAET.
5. Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enable coordinated service delivery and referral pathways.
6. Ensure that principles of impartiality, confidentiality, tact and understanding, are applied to all interactions with clients, with initiative and judgement also to be applied in a timely and appropriate manner.

Key Competencies:

To apply and succeed in the role, you will have:

• Demonstrated experience in deploying a case management approach including managing a case load and keeping detailed case notes.
• Proven knowledge and experience of the apprenticeship / traineeship system and / or VET sector more broadly, including experience in influencing and managing change.
• Proven experience in delivering customer‑focused advisory services in a public service or regulatory environment.
• Proven knowledge of and experience implementing alternate dispute resolution methods including mediation, advocacy, and negotiation relating to sensitive, confidential and complex disputes and complaints.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written and demonstrated ability to provide clear and concise information and advice, using tact and diplomacy in dealing with a wide range of people.

Remuneration:

Competitive salary ASO5 $85,790- $95,413 p.a. plus superannuation.

Benefits:

Bringing your talent to the Department of State Development will see you rewarded with a wide variety of benefits such as:

• A variety of leave arrangements
• Work-life balance with a flexible hybrid work arrangement
• Access to great customised training and career development opportunities

Qualifications:

• Essential: N/A
• Desirable:  Mediation accreditation, a higher education or VET qualification in social services or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Special Conditions:

• The role will be offered full-time (1.0 FTE) up to 24 months.
• Satisfactory Department of Human Services Criminal History Check or National Police Check (NPC) and Working with Children’s Check (WWCC) required prior to employment.

Enquiries:

For confidential enquiries / further information about the role, please contact Sandy Zuiani, Manager, Quality and Risk via Sandy.Zuiani2@sa.gov.au

How to Apply:

All applications must be submitted through the I Work For SA website. 

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Cover letter demonstrating their suitability for the role by addressing the key competencies (2 pages max)
• Curriculum Vitae (4 pages max)
• Prepare 3 referees (at least one should be current or recent line manager), to be provided on request.
• Pre-employment Declaration Form – find the attachment on the job advert.

Applications close: 26/04/2026 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- DSD role description - ASO5 Adviser, Quality and Risk.pdf
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.