Principal Government Lawyer

We are seeking a Principal Government Lawyer with strong commercial law expertise to co-lead and manage, in partnership with another Principal Government Lawyer, a specialist commercial law team within the Commercial and Information Law Branch.  

The Branch services all commercial law needs of the department (with the assistance of external legal service providers where relevant) so the work is interesting and varied. You will be joining and experienced management team that is well established and respected for our high quality, solution focused advice across the department.

As an ‘in house’ legal unit, you and your team will have a unique opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the core business of your client areas. Your team will primarily service the commercial law needs of the department’s Corporate and Enabling Services Group (including commercial property work, centralised procurement advising, and IT procurement and contracting), the Pacific Labour Operations Division (which administers the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme through deeds with participating employers) and the Workplace Relations Group. While we are advertising for a specific commercial position in the branch, we intend to use any resulting merit pool to fill other commercial PGL positions in the branch (there are six in total) that become vacant within the next 18 months.

We aim for a flexible and inclusive work environment where we are invested in each other’s success and development, maintain a ‘can do’ attitude and enjoy some camaraderie and good humour along the way.

The duties and responsibilities for this role include providing a broad range of legal services to the department’s Corporate and Enabling Group as set out under the heading ‘the Role’ and demonstrating capabilities listed under the heading ‘Capabilities’ below. The duties and responsibilities for this role will also include complying with obligations in Commonwealth legislation and policies where relevant, for example the Public Service Act 1999 and the Legal Services Directions 2025.

Please note, under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency delegate has agreed, in writing.

This is a designated security assessed position. The successful candidate will have the ability to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance. 

This selection process may be used to establish a merit pool. The pool might be accessed to fill ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies for similar roles in the Department over the next 18 months.

Qualifications and Education

• a degree in laws from an Australian tertiary institution, or a comparable overseas qualification, which is appropriate to the duties of the position; and
• admission as a legal practitioner, however described, of the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory with ideally at least 5 years post admission experience.