- Work flexibly with the NDIA and be supported through a range of employee benefits
- Work for an agency where you will enjoy a socially diverse and inclusive culture
- $136,404 - $150,167 (plus 15.4% superannuation)
Currently, there are around 5.5 million Australians with a disability. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) implements the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which is one of the biggest social reforms in the country since Medicare. As an Agency, we support participants with a significant and permanent disability, and the families and carers of those living with disability. For many Australians, this will be the first time they receive the disability support they need. The NDIA is designed to enhance the quality of life and increase economic and social participation for people with disability and will mean a peace of mind for every Australian.
The Administrative Reviews Tribunal (ART) Dispute Resolution & Litigation (DR&L) Branch in the Chief Counsel Division, is the Agency’s in-house legal practice servicing the Agency with legal advice and litigation support services on merits review matters for participants in the ART.
ART disputes between the Agency and participants might arise in a number of contexts, including disputes about access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), NDIS plan supports and these disputes might occur in state or territory courts, federal courts or tribunals.
We currently are looking for EL1 Lawyers to support the ART DR&L Branch to fill multiple new vacancies and create a merit list for future opportunities. Bring your knowledge of the NDIS Act, the ART Act, alternative dispute resolution practices, as well as your skills in leadership and mentoring staff to these exciting opportunities at the NDIA. The ART DR&L Branch provides legal advice, support and litigation services on all aspects of ART matters. This is a growing team adapting to the ever-changing demands of merits reviews matters.
As a member of this dynamic branch, you will be a leader of leaders. You will have responsibility to resolve issues and risks across wide-ranging activities of substantial depth involving significant detail.
The EL1 Lawyer (Legal Stream) is accountable under broad direction to undertake very complex work that delivers quality outcomes across the functions of the NDIA.
The position is an important team leadership position within the NDIA and will have delegated authority and responsibility to resolve issues and risks across wide-ranging activities of substantial depth involving significant detail. The role requires providing leadership, control, planning, resource management, performance management and decision making for the Team Membership, assigned Contractors working within the work area and for supporting legal aspects of administrative appeals cases in the ART.
The EL1 Lawyer (Legal Stream) is responsible for actively managing key internal and external stakeholder relationships and where required will represent and negotiate on behalf of the NDIA to advance the NDIA’s interests across a range of forums.
Responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:
-
Providing high-quality legal advice, support and services to internal clients in the management and resolution of participant related reviews in the ART.
-
Conducting litigation in the ART on behalf of the CEO of the Agency, including:
o appearing in the ART, at case conferences, conciliations and directions hearings;
o providing legal advice;
o conducting relevant research;
o drafting submissions and other documents for the purposes of litigation;
o briefing counsel; and
o liaising with external legal services providers on outsourced matters, as applicable. -
Establishing and maintaining excellent working relationships with clients and other stakeholders including people with disability and their representatives, courts and tribunals, other government agencies and legal professionals.
-
Managing the priorities of clients and available resources to deliver results on time and within budget.
-
Managing transactional work of a legal nature, including administrative processes incidental to the provision of associated legal services.
-
Advising on the operation of legislation, instruments, guidelines and policies in the context of ART matters.
-
Applying alternate dispute resolution methods and advocacy skills to resolving applications/reviews, in keeping with the model litigant principles.
-
Advising on drafting and assisting in preparation of legislative and other instruments, in the context of ART matters.
-
Working in a business partnering capacity with the Agency, regularly meeting with branches within a specified portfolio and identifying and advising on relevant legal and associated risks.
-
Supporting business partnering activities, including delivering capacity development and legal training on a particular area of law or specialisation.
-
Leading projects or assuming a ‘champion’ role to inform on precedents, protocols and intranet/internet content development.
-
Managing, supporting and contributing to business improvement activities, including legal education and the development of systems, processes and practical tools.
This position is within the Legal stream and the officer must possess relevant academic qualifications having been admitted as a legal practitioner, however described, of the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory; and hold, or be able to obtain, a practising certificate.
We work as one team. We are accepting, diverse and driven. We take a shared approach to making progress. We welcome and support each other and encourage different ideas, insights and opinions. We empower and enable each other to be our best. We collaborate, connect and work together to create a workplace that makes us proud. And while we're based far and wide across the country, we make sure nobody feels they are out on their own.
-
You will work for a socially inclusive and culturally diverse workplace
-
Access to higher superannuation and above market leave entitlements
-
Competitive remuneration and working conditions that support a positive work life balance
-
Access to ongoing professional development and learning
While this role is ideally performed from Deakin - ACT, Adelaide - SA, Brisbane - QLD, Richmond - VIC, Geelong - VIC, Surry Hills - NSW and Parramatta - NSW, remote working arrangements may be considered. We intend to fill this role in an ongoing capacity, however non-ongoing roles up to 12 months with the possibility of extension up to 2 years may be offered.
Successful candidates will be required to undergo a pre-employment National Police History check, Worker Screening check and/or Working with Children Check (where required) and provide evidence of Australian Citizenship.
Applications for this role close 11:30pm Sunday 19th July 2026 AEST
If you have any questions, please contact Chris Healy by email [email protected]
With the exception of personal details, applications can NOT be edited or updated once submitted for consideration. Please make sure you are completely satisfied with your entire application before submitting.
NDIA is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcomes and encourages applications from People with Disability (PwD), First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, Mature age workers, as well as young workers and supporting an inter-generational workforce and supporting gender equity and families. NDIA will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates to participate equitably in the recruitment process and discuss workplace adjustments to fulfil the inherent requirements of the role. If you require an adjustment to be made during the recruitment process (including alternate formats of the application form) or have an enquiry about the support provided, please contact NDIA Recruitment by email [email protected]
RecruitAbility applies to this position: The RecruitAbility scheme supports people with disability applying for jobs in the Australian Public Service (APS) by giving you a better opportunity to put forward your skills and experience during the selection process.
There are certain roles within the National Disability Insurance Agency that may require mandatory vaccination, subject to government order or directive. Evidence may be required prior to commencement.
Candidate Pack - PDF Opens in new window
Candidate Pack - Word Opens in new window
