Government Lawyer

Australian Department of Education, Employment and Training; Canberra; On-site; AUD 105,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Department of Education, Employment and Training is seeking a Government Lawyer to operate at the centre of major education policies, providing practical, solutions-focused legal advice and managing legal risk.

The role supports the department’s programs and initiatives, collaborates across teams, and offers a remuneration package commensurate with experience and departmental policies. This is a Canberra-based, on-site legal position within a dynamic government practice.

Qualifications

• A degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution, or a comparable overseas qualification
• Admission as a legal practitioner in an Australian Court
• Eligibility to hold a restricted Government practising certificate

Responsibilities

• Providing high-quality, solutions-focused legal advice that clearly identifies legal requirements, risks and opportunities, and supports informed decision-making.
• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Partnering with clients to design, develop and implement programs, and advising on legislative development, reform proposals and the interpretation of existing legislation.
• Applying statutory interpretation and administrative law expertise to support the development, implementation and administration of the department’s programs and initiatives.
• Advising on legal claims, disputes and litigation matters, potentially including opportunities to undertake in-house advocacy before tribunals.
• Working collaboratively across the legal practice and contributing flexibly to team priorities and emerging business needs.
• Contributing to the development of junior lawyers through mentoring, knowledge sharing and collaborative teamwork, and supporting a positive and high-performing team culture

Education

Law degree (Australian or comparable overseas qualification)

Admission as a legal practitioner in Australia

Eligibility for restricted Government practising certificate

Job description

• $105,295 - $115,786 + 15.4% superannuation

About the Department of Education

We contribute to Australia's economic prosperity and social wellbeing by creating opportunities and driving better outcomes through access to quality education and learning.

The Role

As a Government Lawyer at the Department of Education, you will have the opportunity to work at the centre of some of Australia's most significant education policies, programs and reforms. This is more than a traditional legal role. It is an opportunity to influence the development and delivery of major government policies, navigate novel and complex legal challenges, and help the department achieve its goals in a rapidly changing environment. You will have strong legal skills, a collaborative approach and a commitment to delivering practical, solutions-focused advice that helps clients achieve their objectives while effectively managing legal risk.

The department's legal practice comprises several teams that provide legal services to specific business groups across the department, as well as specialist legal teams that deliver expertise in key legal disciplines. This structure provides lawyers with the opportunity to build strong partnerships with clients, develop a deep understanding of the department's work, and engage in a diverse and intellectually stimulating range of legal matters. Our lawyers regularly collaborate across teams and subject areas, fostering professional growth, knowledge sharing and the delivery of high-quality legal services.

An attractive remuneration package is available, commensurate with the successful candidate's skills and experience, and consistent with departmental policies.

Duties and Responsibilities

In this role, your responsibilities will include the following:

• Providing high-quality, solutions-focused legal advice that clearly identifies legal requirements, risks and opportunities, and supports informed decision-making.


• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.


• Partnering with clients to design, develop and implement programs, and advising on legislative development, reform proposals and the interpretation of existing legislation.


• Applying statutory interpretation and administrative law expertise to support the development, implementation and administration of the department’s programs and initiatives.


• Advising on legal claims, disputes and litigation matters, potentially including opportunities to undertake in-house advocacy before tribunals.


• Working collaboratively across the legal practice and contributing flexibly to team priorities and emerging business needs.


• Contributing to the development of junior lawyers through mentoring, knowledge sharing and collaborative teamwork, and supporting a positive and high-performing team culture.

• Government Lawyer - APS6


• Canberra, ACT


• $105,295 - $115,786 + 15.4% superannuation

About the Department of Education

We contribute to Australia's economic prosperity and social wellbeing by creating opportunities and driving better outcomes through access to quality education and learning.

The Role

As a Government Lawyer at the Department of Education, you will have the opportunity to work at the centre of some of Australia's most significant education policies, programs and reforms. This is more than a traditional legal role. It is an opportunity to influence the development and delivery of major government policies, navigate novel and complex legal challenges, and help the department achieve its goals in a rapidly changing environment. You will have strong legal skills, a collaborative approach and a commitment to delivering practical, solutions-focused advice that helps clients achieve their objectives while effectively managing legal risk.

The department's legal practice comprises several teams that provide legal services to specific business groups across the department, as well as specialist legal teams that deliver expertise in key legal disciplines. This structure provides lawyers with the opportunity to build strong partnerships with clients, develop a deep understanding of the department's work, and engage in a diverse and intellectually stimulating range of legal matters. Our lawyers regularly collaborate across teams and subject areas, fostering professional growth, knowledge sharing and the delivery of high-quality legal services.

An attractive remuneration package is available, commensurate with the successful candidate's skills and experience, and consistent with departmental policies.

Duties and Responsibilities

In this role, your responsibilities will include the following:

• Providing high-quality, solutions-focused legal advice that clearly identifies legal requirements, risks and opportunities, and supports informed decision-making.


• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.


• Partnering with clients to design, develop and implement programs, and advising on legislative development, reform proposals and the interpretation of existing legislation.


• Applying statutory interpretation and administrative law expertise to support the development, implementation and administration of the department’s programs and initiatives.


• Advising on legal claims, disputes and litigation matters, potentially including opportunities to undertake in-house advocacy before tribunals.


• Working collaboratively across the legal practice and contributing flexibly to team priorities and emerging business needs.


• Contributing to the development of junior lawyers through mentoring, knowledge sharing and collaborative teamwork, and supporting a positive and high-performing team culture.

Qualifications and Education

To be eligible for a legal position in our practice, applicants must have:

• A degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution, or a comparable overseas qualification


• Admission as a legal practitioner in an Australian Court


• Eligibility to hold a restricted Government practising certificate

Eligibility

Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department, you must be an Australian Citizen or, in limited circumstances, in the process of obtaining it.

Security Clearance - our successful candidate is required to hold, or have the ability to obtain, and maintain a Baseline security clearance.

Please refer to the Job Information Pack for more information about the role.