Play a role in shaping the future of payments in Australia
Permanent opportunity
Sydney CBD location, hybrid working
About the Department
The Payments Policy Department is responsible for the RBA’s payments system policy, regulatory and oversight functions. We help the RBA meet its objectives of promoting competition, increasing efficiency and improving the safety of the payments system.
With the growing reliance on electronic payments and the emergence of new technologies and participants, the payments system is facing both exciting opportunities and complex challenges. Recent amendments to the RBA’s enabling legislation have broadened its regulatory scope, making this an important time for shaping the future of payments policy in Australia.
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) Payments Policy Department is recruiting Senior Analyst or Lead Analyst to support its payments system policy development, oversight and regulatory responsibilities.
About the Team
The Payments Efficiency and Competition section promotes competition and efficiency in Australia’s retail payment system. The team assesses potential competition and efficiency issues related to retail card payments, ‘buy now, pay later’ services, mobile wallets, online payments and account-to-account payments, among others. To learn more about some of the issues the team covers, see the recently published Consultation Paper as part of the RBA’s Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging.
About the role
You will shape the RBA’s position on payments policy issues. Policy analysis and design are the foundation of team’s work: much of your analysis will be aimed at helping formulate the right policies to achieve the Payments System Board’s objectives, including by establishing a robust evidence base to underpin these policies. We will support you to build deep subject matter expertise in your areas of specialisation.
The section also has responsibility for data collection and monitoring to understand trends in the payments system and monitor compliance with the Bank’s regulations. As part of this, a key feature of your work will be extensive external stakeholder engagement with other regulators and industry participants (including fintechs and bigtechs).
Specific tasks you will likely complete include:
Formulating and communicating policy advice to the Bank’s leadership team, the Payments System Board and internal and external stakeholders.
Monitoring developments and innovations in payments, including ensuring compliance with the Bank’s regulations and promotion of the Bank’s objectives.
Drafting papers for the Payments System Board and external publications including consultation papers, Bulletin articles and research discussion papers.
Engaging with stakeholders in the payments industry and other regulators to collect qualitative and quantitative data in support of the section’s monitoring, oversight and policy roles.
About You
We are seeking a passionate policy analyst with an interest in payments. To be a strong candidate, you need:
strong critical thinking skills to tackle complex policy questions and issues
the ability to write clearly and succinctly, with the intended audience in mind
strong spoken communication skills
good organisational and time-management skills
well-developed influencing skills
ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders and in a team
demonstrated ability to reprioritise quickly as circumstances change.
Competitive candidates will typically have experience as either an:
economist, with an economics or related qualification and demonstrable econometrics, statistical or coding skills. Postgraduate study and research experience are an advantage.
regulator, with the appropriate legal, financial or other relevant qualifications and prior experience in a regulatory role.
However, we hire based on skills and potential to succeed. We welcome applicants from varied professional paths who can show they have the skills, mindset and motivation to contribute meaningfully to our work.
Next steps
To apply for this role, candidates should submit their resume and a one-page cover letter demonstrating their interest and suitability for this role. The successful candidate will likely start in January 2026.
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 drives 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 :
December 10, 2025.