Legal Counsel

Location: Bundoora, Melbourne 

Salary: $128,635 – $140,849 (pro-rata)

Tenure:Ongoing | FTE: Full Time (0.8 FTE part-time arrangements may be considered)  

Help turn research into real-world impact

Agriculture Victoria Services (AVS) supports world-leading agricultural research, innovation and commercialisation. We’re looking for a Legal Counsel to provide practical, commercially focused legal advice across a diverse portfolio of intellectual property, research, commercialisation and corporate matters.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of science, innovation and law, partnering with researchers, commercialisation specialists and business leaders to help bring new ideas and technologies to market.

About the role

Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel, you will:

• Provide practical, solution-focused legal advice across commercial, corporate and intellectual property matters.
• Draft, review and negotiate a broad range of agreements, including research collaborations, funding agreements, confidentiality agreements, licences and other commercial contracts.
• Advise on legal and regulatory risks and help develop practical risk mitigation strategies.
• Support intellectual property protection, management and commercialisation activities.
• Provide legal support for strategic partnerships, business development initiatives and commercial transactions.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders and external collaborators to facilitate successful project outcomes.
• Monitor legal developments and contribute to continuous improvement of legal processes and resources.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Admission to practice as an Australian legal practitioner, and at least 3 years post admission experience.
• Demonstrated legal experience gained in private practice and/or in an in-house legal role, preferably within a research, innovation, commercialisation, or intellectual property environment.
• Strong contract drafting, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to balance legal risk with commercial and operational outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A collaborative and pragmatic approach to problem-solving.

You’ll be particularly well suited if you enjoy working in a dynamic environment where no two matters are the same and where your advice contributes directly to innovation and commercial outcomes.

Why join AVS?

At AVS you’ll work on interesting and meaningful matters that support Victoria’s agricultural research and innovation ecosystem. We offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (full-time team members are expected to work at least 3 days a week at our AgriBio office, including Tuesday and Thursday).
• A collaborative and supportive team environment.
• Opportunities to work on complex and diverse legal matters.
• Career development and professional growth opportunities.
• The chance to contribute to projects that deliver real benefits for industry and the community.

Apply now

Submit your resume and a brief cover letter summarising your skills, experience, and how you meet the Key Selection Criteria in the position description. To view the position description, visit https://employmenthero.com/jobs/position/agriculture-victoria-services-pty-ltd-legal-counsel-1ocvo/  

Applications close: 11.59pm on 20 September 2026. 

Contact: For a confidential conversation, please contact Charlotte Weld-Blundell, Senior Legal Counsel, at charlotte.weld-blundell@agriculture.vic.gov.au. 

AVS values diversity and is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. 

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.