• Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne
• Applications close 7 July
• The salary range for this role is $126,391 - $151,472

About the Department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the team

The Chief Counsel and Integrity Division (CCID) supports the Department of Industry, Science and Resources to achieve its objective of a productive economy lawfully and with integrity.

Lawyers in CCID provide strategic, practical legal advice on high-profile, cutting-edge public policy issues including artificial intelligence, energy supply and security, science and manufacturing initiatives, space activities and technologies, and trade remedies.

Our work is fast paced, intellectually engaging and collaborative. The team is made up of skilled, supportive legal professionals who are committed to providing high quality legal advice and a positive, inclusive culture.

CCID’s legal services are delivered through two complementary branches, bringing together expertise in public law, dispute resolution, and corporate and information law.

The Public Law and Dispute Resolution Branch provides strategic legal advice and dispute management services to support the department’s policy and regulatory functions. Its teams deliver expertise in litigation, claims and merits review, administrative and public law, and legislative processes. The branch also oversees tribunal and court representation, manages complaints and compensation schemes, and supports the department’s legislative agenda and compliance with whole of government requirements.

The Corporate and Information Law Branch delivers legal and operational support across the department’s corporate functions and information law obligations. It provides advice on commercial and employment matters, contracting, intellectual property, and integrity frameworks. The branch also leads FOI and privacy functions, including decision making, compliance, and reporting, and supports the legal practice through finance, procurement, knowledge management, and system governance.

The opportunity

We are seeking experienced lawyers with strong capability in one or more of the following core practice areas:

• International engagements, including providing support on international and cross border arrangements, in a government context, consistent with the Legal Services Directions 2025
• Commercial law, including government contracting, procurement and complex commercial arrangements
• Legislative development, including preparing drafting instructions and supporting legislation through the parliamentary process
• Dispute resolution, including instructing and appearing in Administrative Review Tribunal matters, instructing in Federal Court matters, and managing other disputes and claims in house.
• Public law, including administrative law advice on decision-making, regulatory powers, delegations and authorisations, legislative compliance, legal policy advice on rights, powers and obligations, program design support, and oversight of outsourced constitutional and international law advice

Depending on your placement, you may work across the Public Law and Dispute Resolution branch or the Corporate and Information Law branch, supporting nationally significant policy and program work. We encourage applications from candidates with either broad capability across multiple areas or deep expertise in a specific practice area. Both will be assessed on merit, and there are multiple roles available.

What’s in it for you?

In this role you will gain legal experience and skills that are highly sought after by both public and private legal sectors. You will have the opportunity to:

• work on complex legal issues shaping contemporary public policy.
• apply your expertise to nationally significant programs and initiatives
• build capability across a broad range of legal contexts.
• work in a team of exceptional, passionate lawyers.
• access flexible and remote working arrangements.
• benefit from strong professional development opportunities and networks

Our ideal candidate

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Strong expertise in one or more of the following:
  • international engagements
  • commercial law
  • legislative development
  • dispute resolution
  • public law
• The ability to provide clear, concise and practical legal advice that balances legal requirements and legal risk
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with sound judgement
• Experience managing complex matters with a high degree of autonomy
• The ability to work in teams and to work collaboratively with other lawyers and policy colleagues
• The ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with stakeholders
• A collaborative approach and contribution to the leadership and direction of a legal practice
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers (or a willingness to develop in this area)

Does this sound like you but you don’t quite meet all the criteria? We recognise a career in the law looks different for different people. If you are an experienced legal professional who is excited by what we do and how we do it, we want to hear from you.

What you'll gain from the experience

As a Senior Legal Counsel (EL1 equivalent), you will work on complex, sensitive and high-profile matters with a degree of independence, while playing an important leadership role within the practice.

You will develop your reputation as a trusted advisor to government, known for being pragmatic, solutions-focused and collaborative.

What you will do

• Provide practical, strategic legal advice on complex issues
• Partner with client areas to identify and manage legal risk
• Independently manage matters and project work
• Support the delivery of high quality, consistent legal services
• Supervise and develop junior lawyers
• Engage external counsel where required
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive and high performing team culture

Eligibility

Education and experience:

• Essential: A degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution, or a comparable overseas qualification, which is appropriate to the duties of the position.
• Essential: Admission as a legal practitioner, however described, of the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory.
• Essential: Eligible for a practising certificate issued by the Law Society of the ACT or in their state or territory of residence.
• Desirable (for Senior Legal Counsel): 4+ years Post Admission Experience (PAE) or other relevant legal experience.

To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.

Positions require a Baseline security clearance and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

For information about terms and conditions of employment with the department please refer to the department’s Enterprise Agreement.

Notes

A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.

The department offers flexible work opportunities for many roles. Current vacancies can be based in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Adelaide, and flexible or remote work arrangements may be considered for the right candidate. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

Application information

Your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your application responses, CV and any other documents. The selection panel may not consider applications containing classified information.

Please provide a pitch explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role and why you are the best candidate for the position. Your pitch can contain no more than 750 words and should align to the key duties listed above.

You may use AI tools to support your application. However, all content must be accurate, authentic, and reflect your own capability in line with APS merit principles. For further guidance, please refer to the APSC’s Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.

Please complete your application online and provide your current CV with your application. (CVs must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format).

Accessible application documentation is available in other formats on request. Please contact recruitment@industry.gov.au or (02) 6276 1235 if you require assistance with your application.

Please refer to our Applying for a position information for additional information on how to apply.

Contact Information

For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact Rachel Besley on 0409 752 036 or via email on Rachel.besley@industry.gov.au