About Us
The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.
Office of the General Counsel
There is an exciting opportunity available in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC). OGC is part of DGS’ Organisational Strategy, Governance and Performance Group. OGC navigates legal and policy challenges with technically outstanding legal advice and practical, evidence-based solutions.
We provide high profile legal advice at the centre of Government in relation to public law, regulatory, corporate, commercial, contracting and procurement issues, and performs an in-house legal advice function for the Department’s internal operations.
About the Role
This Solicitor role provides advice on regulatory matters, including advice about whether there is sufficient evidence to support regulatory action and managing litigation on DGS’s behalf.
Solicitors within the CAV Legal team in OGC provide legal support across CAV but primarily to the Regulatory Services Division, as well as provide advice and assistance to DGS’s other regulatory functions. CAV’s Regulatory Services Division investigates allegations of breaches of a variety of legislation, including the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, the Estate Agents Act 1980 and the Australian Consumer Law.
Solicitors provide legal advice to CAV investigators and DGS prior to and during the course of investigations, preparation of legal briefs and materials to assist in the successful prosecution of defendants and by appearing and conducting litigation in all jurisdictions, including the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, County Court of Victoria, the Supreme Court of Victoria and the the Federal Court of Australia.
The position also supports other compliance and enforcement activities, including the Underquoting and Renting Taskforces.
Reporting to the General Manager, Solicitors play a key role in successfully enforcing Australian and Victorian consumer law and providing regulatory advice to DGS more broadly.
Key Accountabilities
- Under supervision, conduct and manage legal proceedings arising out of contraventions of legislation administered by DGS.
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Under supervision, provide accurate, timely, high level legal analysis, advice, comment and opinion in respect of legislation administered by DGS.
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Appear as a solicitor advocate before superior Victorian Courts and Tribunals on behalf of DGS.
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As required, support project teams responsible for conducting sensitive, complex investigations and other compliance and enforcement activities including legal policy and processes.
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Under supervision, produce authoritative advice and provide assistance to staff across CAV Regulatory Services Division and DGS in relation to the preparation and conduct of investigations.
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Provide clear and comprehensive written and oral advice to members of CAV and DGS on matters arising in the course of their duties.
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Undertake other legal tasks relevant to the Office of the General Counsel’s functions as required.
Mandatory Requirements
- To be admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer and eligibility to hold a Victorian practising certificate. You will be asked to provide evidence of this requirement.
This is an ongoing position. This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.
For more information and the key selection criteria, please see the Position Description.
How to apply:
Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on Tuesday, 7 July 2026. All applications should include:
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a resume; and
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a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages).
Other relevant information:
To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing role is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check.
The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DGS has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DGS employees be fully vaccinated.
DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.
