- Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth
- Applications close 05 August
- The salary range for this role is $158,513 - $169,596
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:
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Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
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Investing in science and technology
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Strengthening the resources sector.
The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.
If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.
Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.
The Chief Counsel and Integrity Division (CCID) supports the Department of Industry, Science and Resources to achieve its objective of a productive economy lawfully and with integrity. Lawyers in CCID provide strategic, practical legal advice on high-profile, cutting-edge public policy issues including artificial intelligence, energy supply and security, science and manufacturing initiatives, space activities and technologies, and trade remedies.
Work in CCID is fast paced, intellectually challenging and rewarding. The team is made up of warm, collegiate and talented legal professionals who are passionate about their role in government decision making and committed to providing high-quality legal advice in a supportive culture.
We are seeking Principal Legal Counsel (EL2), including a position to provide expertise and leadership in legislative design, development and implementation. Other Principal Legal Counsel roles are in
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Corporate and commercial law, advising on and negotiating the implementation of government programs including investments, international agreements, complex procurements and grants.
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Information law, representing the department in Information Commissioner reviews, advising on all aspects of information law and supporting Ministers’ officers to meet FOI obligations.
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Public law, advising on policy and legislative design, administrative law and statutory interpretation.
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Dispute resolution, including merits review, judicial review, commercial disputes and discretionary compensation.
In all Principal Legal Counsel roles, you will lead a team and work directly to a General Counsel to play a critical role in shaping, delivering and embedding the department’s policies and programs, in collaboration with other Principal Legal Counsel.
In legislative design you will work at the centre of government, shaping legislative frameworks that enable major policy and program outcomes. You will lead complex legislation from concept through to implementation, ensuring legal frameworks are effective, coherent and operationally practical. This role is ideal for a senior lawyer who thrives at the intersection of policy, legislation and delivery.
In corporate and commercial law you will lead the development and negotiation of agreements to implement the department’s policies, including in respect of investments, international agreements (in collaboration with tied providers), complex procurements and grants. You will influence the design and delivery of programs to translate policy objectives into practical outcomes and manage the Commonwealth’s risk exposure.
In information law you will support the responsible use of AI in government processes, lead the department’s responses to Information Commissioner reviews of Freedom of Information decisions, support for Ministers’ offices and senior executives within the department to comply with their FOI obligations, and/or Privacy Officer functions including the implementation of privacy by design principles. You will provide advice on a broad range of information law matters including FOI, privacy, public interest immunity, confidentiality, and policy design considerations for the collection, use and disclosure of information.
In public law you will influence the design, development, implementation and ongoing management of the department’s policies, legislation and programs through advice on administrative law, statutory interpretation and related matters. You will support the department to build capability and systems to implement programs according to law and with integrity.
In dispute resolution you will lead the department’s involvement in merits and judicial review matters and other disputes. You will have a broad practice across Administrative Review Tribunal and Federal Court matters relating to the department’s programs and general law, representation in Fair Work Commission matters, advice to support merits review bodies within the department and administration of claims under discretionary compensation schemes. Your work will involve appearances as well as engagement of external legal providers as appropriate for the complexity of matters and forum in which they are conducted.
We are seeking senior lawyers with demonstrated expertise in legislative design and implementation, and in one or more other practice areas, and the ability to operate strategically at a senior level.
You will bring:
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Extensive experience in providing legal services aligned to one or more of the practice areas described above.
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Strong understanding of legislative, common law and policy frameworks for government action.
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Proven ability to translate complex policy into effective and pragmatic solutions.
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Experience supporting complex projects through design, legislation and/or implementation phases.
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Highly developed judgement, including the ability to identify and manage legal and delivery risks.
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Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including with senior executives.
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Experience leading and managing teams and building capability in others.
Our department has a commitment to inclusion and diversity, with an ambition of being the best possible place to work. This reflects the importance we place on our people and on creating a workplace culture where each and every one of us is valued and respected for our contribution. Our ideal candidate adds to this culture and our workplace in their own way.
Legislative design and implementation
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Lead the design, development and amendment of primary and subordinate legislation.
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Provide strategic legal advice on legislative frameworks, including administrative and regulatory considerations.
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Translate policy intent into legislative solutions that are clear, workable and durable.
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Guide legislation through the full lifecycle, including drafting instructions, engaging with Office of Parliamentary Counsel, exposure drafts, consultation, parliamentary processes, Bill passage and commencement.
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Support implementation of legislative schemes, including developing guidance, governance frameworks and operational settings.
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Identify and manage legal risks arising from legislative design and implementation.
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Develop in-house capability to identify and manage legal risk, including through strategic engagement of external legal providers.
All roles
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Provide technical expertise and leadership in one or more practice areas.
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Provide authoritative, practical and strategic legal advice on complex, high-risk and sensitive matters.
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Lead and manage a team, providing technical oversight, mentoring and capability development.
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Foster a strong, collaborative and high-performing culture aligned to CCID’s vision and values.
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Drive continuous improvement in practices, tools and approaches across the Legal Practice.
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Build strong relationships with policy and program areas, senior executives, corporate partners and external stakeholders.
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Contribute to whole-of-practice planning and delivery of key priorities.
Principal Legal Counsel must hold:
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Admission as a legal practitioner, however described, of the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory, and
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A current practising certificate issued by the Law Society of the ACT or in their state or territory of residence (or be eligible to acquire one)
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Applicants for a Principal Legal Counsel based in South Australia must hold, or be eligible to hold, an unrestricted practising certificate issued by the Law Society of South Australia.
To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.
Positions require a Baseline security clearance, and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
The department offers flexible work opportunities for many roles. Current vacancies can be based in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide, and flexible or remote work arrangements may be considered for the right candidate. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.
A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.
Your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your application responses, CV and any other documents. The selection panel may not consider applications containing classified information.
Please provide a pitch explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role and why you are the best candidate for the position. Your pitch can contain no more than 750 words and should align to the key duties listed above.
You may use AI tools to support your application. However, all content must be accurate, authentic, and reflect your own capability in line with APS merit principles. For further guidance, please refer to the APSC’s Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.
Please complete your application online and provide your current CV with your application. (CVs must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format).
Accessible application documentation is available in other formats on request. Please contact [email protected] or (02) 6276 1235 if you require assistance with your application.
Please refer to our Applying for a position information for additional information on how to apply.
For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact Annalisa Heger on 0497 798 502 or via email on [email protected]
