The Sentencing Advisory Council (`the Council') is an independent statutory body that provides evidence-based advice, research and data about sentencing policy and practice in Victoria.
In May 2026, the Victorian Government announced that the Council would be undertaking a review of the Sentencing Act 1991 (`the review'). This role will play a key role in the Council's review, which will be one of the most significant sentencing law reform. projects in Victoria in recent years.
The Senior Legal Policy Officer is primarily responsible for developing high-quality publications associated with the review, as well as participating in stakeholder and community consultation. The role may also involve other tasks as required by the Council from time to time, such as additional research and publication activities and/or educational activities.
Some of your duties will include:
Provide expert legal policy advice to the Senior Manager of Legal Policy, CEO, and the Council's Board of Directors on issues relating to sentencing law and practice.
Contribute to the Sentencing Act Review - including research, planning, consultation, and report writing - ensuring outputs are high-quality, evidence-based and delivered on time
Contribute to other research projects on complex sentencing matters in collaboration with other staff, including the preparation of high quality reports, publications and other written materials.
To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description.
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:
Detailed knowledge of criminal law, with a strong focus on sentencing law.
Able to write clearly, concisely and persuasively across a range of document types such as correspondence, project plans and research reports.
Highly developed presentation skills.
Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include reference checks, national police checks and misconduct screening. Dependant on the role, other checks may include VicRoads checks, drivers licence checks, medical checks, Working with Children Checks, and Declaration of Private Interests (for executive and responsible officer roles).
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative form.at to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.
To be eligible for this position, please apply by 11.59pm July 12th 2026.
This role is fixed-term until June 30th 2028.
CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.
