The Australian Education Union (AEU) is the federal union for teachers, principals, support staff and all educators working in public education.

The AEU is proud to represent workers who have one of the most important jobs in the country. With over 185,000 members nationally, the AEU provides support both industrially and professionally and advocates for quality public education for all.

The role of the Federal Women’s Officer is to advance the objectives and policies of the AEU and particularly in relation to gender, diversity and discrimination.

Role and Position Description

The AEU Federal Women’s Officer will work as part of the AEU Federal Office team with responsibility for supporting the advancement of the objectives of the AEU generally, with a focus on gender.

This position is located at the AEU Federal Office in Melbourne. The position will involve some travel within Australia and internationally.

The Women’s Officer is directly responsible to the Federal Secretary in carrying out the duties listed below.

Duties will include:

• Undertake policy analysis, research and prepare responses and submissions on gender, equity and diversity policies and other areas as required.
• Contribution to strategic policy development, including addressing gender and other forms of discrimination in the education industry.
• Develop strategies to implement the AEU’s policies, objectives and campaigns, in particular to increase the participation and engagement of women and girls in all education sectors.
• Work with AEU Branches and Associated Bodies to increase the recruitment and engagement of women members in the union.
• Develop networks and work collaboratively with, a diverse range of external allies and stakeholders in the areas of gender, equity and diversity.
• Represent the AEU in a range of forums including government or other committees, as appropriate.
• Undertake other duties as required by the AEU Federal Secretary.

Selection Criteria:

Knowledge, qualifications and experience specific to position:

• A demonstrated knowledge of the major policy issues for gender, equity and discrimination across all sectors of education and society more generally.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and capacity to develop networks and work collaboratively with, a diverse range of external allies and stakeholders.
• Knowledge and experience of the education industry and AEU women members’ employment, including gender and employment issues and the relationship between industrial and professional concerns.
• An understanding of campaigning and its importance to achieve the AEU’s objectives.

Generic knowledge, qualifications and experience:

• High level written and verbal skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team, or independently as appropriate.
• A demonstrated capacity to engage in high level research including the ability to identify and analyse issues, propose strategic solutions and prepare reports and submissions.
• High level organisational skills including the ability to meet deadlines, manage competing demands and workload effectively, and complete tasks unsupervised and on time.
• Knowledge of and commitment to public education and unionism.
• Completion of a tertiary qualification in a relevant area.

Conditions of Employment

This is an ongoing position. The conditions of employment are as determined by the AEU Federal and Professional Officers Agreement 2017-20 and any successor agreements. All employees are subject to a probation period on appointment. A copy of the Agreement is available on request.

The AEU is an equal opportunity employer.

How to apply

Please provide a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and your suitability for the role, along with you CV to Nicole Calnan, AEU Federal Secretary at federalsecretary@aeufederal.org.au

Closing Date: Applications close 5pm Friday 6 February 2026