We are seeking a senior practitioner to help establish and grow the Sydney presence of our Regulatory Compliance - Aged Care & Disability Services practice. The practice area is led from Melbourne by Victor Harcourt, Partner and Practice Area Leader, and the successful candidate will work directly with him and with the practice area’s other Partner, Anita Courtney, as part of a national team of eleven practitioners. The position also involves working in RK DocsConnect Pty Ltd, the firm’s subscription based regulatory compliance template and knowledge business.
The role is client facing and practice building, spanning complex regulatory advisory work, compliance frameworks, investigations and inquiries, administrative law challenges, and governance and risk mandates across the Commonwealth funded aged care sector, disability services (the NDIS and state funded services) and retirement living.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Providing legal advice and representation to registered aged care and disability services providers, as well as to peak bodies and providers of services to those industries.
- Advising on regulatory compliance with the Commonwealth aged care law scheme, including the Aged Care Act 2024 (Cth) and the Aged Care Rules 2025 (Cth), and with the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) and the rules made under it, including the conditions of registration, the statutory duties and the Quality Standards under each scheme.
- Leading responses to regulators, including the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, on investigations and examinations, information and document requests, serious incident and reportable incident matters, Code of Conduct matters, complaints, and compliance and enforcement action.
- Representation in litigation and review matters, including applications to the Administrative Review Tribunal, coronial inquests, NCAT proceedings and proceedings in the Federal Court and other courts.
- Designing compliance frameworks, conducting compliance risk assessments, and delivering training and education to boards, governing bodies and senior executives.
- Drafting regulatory compliance templates and contributing to product development for RK DocsConnect Pty Ltd.
- Mentoring and supervising lawyers and graduates; contributing to team capability and utilisation; contributing to recruitment; and championing quality, knowledge management and best practice in cyber security and anti-money laundering compliance.
- Driving business development and relationship expansion in the New South Wales market; originating and converting opportunities; contributing to pricing and scoping; producing thought leadership; presenting at industry forums; and maintaining strong networks across aged care and disability providers, peak bodies and service vendors.
- Meeting agreed targets for billable hours, personal fees and origination, and contributing to the revenue performance of the practice area.
- Working with the Aged Care & Retirement Living Sector Group and the Health, Disability and Charitable Sector Group, and with the firm’s Corporate and Commercial, Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety, Property and Development, and Dispute Resolution teams.
- Time recording and billing.
- Complying with the firm’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing program, including customer due diligence and reporting obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth).
Skills/Knowledge & Experience
A successful applicant will have
- Six to nine years post admission experience, with substantial exposure to aged care and / or disability services regulatory work, administrative law, investigations or inquiries.
- Experience conducting matters before tribunals and courts, for example the Administrative Review Tribunal, NCAT and the Coroner, is highly regarded.
- Exposure to designing compliance frameworks and delivering training is desirable.
- Possess excellent drafting skills and have the ability to cope with intellectually stimulating workload.
- Well-developed initiative and effective Business Development skills with a demonstrated ability to think critically and strategically.
Further Information
Any questions regarding the vacancy can be directed to Radhika Rahul on (02) 8987 0091. For further information or to submit your application for this position please visit the careers page on our website. Please note any offer of employment made by Russell Kennedy Lawyers to the successful candidate will be subject to a police check. We are currently accepting applications from direct applicants only.
Our Firm and Culture
Russell Kennedy is a commercial law firm with more than 380 people in Melbourne and Sydney. At Russell Kennedy we are committed to providing exceptional legal strategies and solutions to our clients, guided by market-leading expertise across our key sectors of focus.
We’re committed to making a difference for our clients, providing opportunities for our people, and delivering lasting change for our community. As part of our team, you’ll receive hands-on experience, quality mentoring and access to valuable learning opportunities. We encourage a professional and committed work ethic, while recognising the importance of an enjoyable working environment and balanced lifestyle.
At Russell Kennedy, we respect and celebrate the things that make each of us different. The firm is dedicated to creating an environment that is characterised by equal access and respected participation of all groups and individuals. This is regardless of all differences, including culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity, age, religion, personal circumstances, physical features, abilities and disabilities, socioeconomics and sexual orientation.
We believe we have a culture where individuals of all backgrounds and abilities feel included and confident in bringing their whole selves to work, and where your talents are fostered, empowering you to contribute to the success of the firm.
Russell Kennedy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is certified as a Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Employer of Choice for Gender Equality. We are committed to being an LGBTIQ-friendly and disability-confident employer. The firm supports and promotes a range of initiatives including, the Russell Kennedy Women’s Network and our Diversity and Inclusion committee, with three key focuses: Access RK (Accessibility and Disability), Kaleidoscope (Cultural Diversity) and Sparkle (LGBTIQ).
Russell Kennedy is dedicated to creating and participating in a meaningful process of reconciliation as part of the broader national reconciliation movement. Our key aims in embarking on our Reconciliation Action Plan are to celebrate the deep knowledge of First Nations communities, the longest continuing cultures in the world, acknowledge past wrongs and to begin to build a structured future together where we can play our part in righting those wrongs though our own reconciliation initiatives.
Russell Kennedy is committed to attracting the best talent available and is open to discussing flexible work arrangements and workplace adjustments for all of our listed vacancies.
