OVERVIEW The HDR Support Officer at The University of Western Australia plays a central role in supporting Higher Degree by Research candidates from admission through to completion. Based within the Graduate Research School, this role operates in a complex, collaborative, and highly regulated university environment. It is a full-time, fixed-term appointment for 12 months, focused on delivering high-quality administrative support across the HDR student lifecycle. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES – Provide administrative support for the effective delivery and management of HDR programs within the Graduate Research School – Support HDR candidates across the full student lifecycle, including admissions, enrolment, candidature management, scholarships, milestones, and examinations – Process and coordinate HDR student matters in accordance with university policies and regulatory requirements, including HESF, TEQSA, AQF, RTP, and ESOS – Maintain accurate and up-to-date HDR student records in university systems such as Callista – Support data integrity through audits and reporting activities – Assist with compliance with institutional and government reporting obligations – Work collaboratively with academic units, central services, and external stakeholders – Contribute to improvements in HDR systems, policies, and procedures to enhance efficiency, student experience, and candidate outcomes REQUIREMENTS – Demonstrated experience in a complex administrative role, preferably in postgraduate student administration – Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, manage competing deadlines, and maintain attention to detail – Financial administration skills, including budget monitoring and reporting – Working knowledge of university policies, research training frameworks, and regulatory environments – Commitment to equity, diversity, and cultural sensitivity – Understanding of work health and safety responsibilities and quality assurance principles – Capacity to undertake some after-hours work as required – Eligibility to work in Australia WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS HDR candidates are central to the research mission of research-intensive universities, and effective administrative support directly influences their success and experience. This role ensures that complex regulatory, policy, and reporting requirements are met while enabling candidates and supervisors to focus on high-quality research. By contributing to system improvements and accurate data management, the HDR Support Officer supports both institutional compliance and positive research outcomes. BONUS: APPLICATION ADVICE – Carefully align your resume and cover letter to the selection criteria, using clear examples from your administrative experience – Highlight any direct experience with postgraduate or research student administration, even if it was part of a broader role – Demonstrate your ability to work within regulated environments by referencing policy compliance, audits, or reporting tasks you have handled – Provide examples that show strong organisational skills, particularly how you manage competing deadlines and complex processes – Emphasise collaboration and stakeholder engagement, especially experience working with academics or central university services – Submit your application before the stated closing date and ensure you have the right to work in Australia, as this is a mandatory requirement