Lawyer

Northern Land Council; Darwin; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15% superannuation on Base/DA

Meal Entertainment and Holiday Accomm.

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The Northern Land Council is seeking multiple lawyers to support its Resources and Energy Projects team in Darwin, focusing on drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements linked to mineral and petroleum activities, renewable energy and major projects.

You will work with Traditional Owners and stakeholders, progressing matters from advice to negotiation and, when needed, litigation or arbitration.

Qualifications

• Admission to legal practice in an Australian state or territory with at least three years post‑admission experience.
• Ability to draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements related to minerals, petroleum, renewable energy and major projects.
• Experience advising and representing clients in Aboriginal land and waters matters with cross‑cultural sensitivity.

Responsibilities

• Advise and represent the NLC on complex commercial agreements in minerals, energy, infrastructure and related projects.
• Draft, review and negotiate commercial agreements; progress matters from advice to negotiation and implementation.
• Collaborate with Traditional Owners, Aboriginal corporations, government and external counsel; include potential litigation or arbitration.

Skills

Legal drafting

Negotiation

Advisory skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Admission to legal practice in Australia

Job description

Status: Multiple 2-year Maximum Term positions

Use your legal expertise to help Traditional Owners shape agreements, protect rights and influence major projects across the Top End.

About the role

The Northern Land Council is recruiting multiple lawyers to assist its Resources and Energy Projects team in Darwin. You will advise and represent the NLC and its constituents on complex matters involving Aboriginal land and waters, with a strong focus on drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements connected with mineral and petroleum activities, renewable energy, infrastructure and other major projects.

These positions offer lawyers the opportunity to work with multidisciplinary teams, Traditional Owners, Aboriginal corporations, government, proponents, external counsel and other stakeholders, you will progress matters from advice and consultation through to negotiation, implementation and, where relevant, litigation or arbitration. Although based in the Resources and Energy Projects practice, you may also contribute across the NLC’s broader legal practice areas.

What you will bring

strong legal drafting, negotiation and advisory skills, with the ability to manage complex matters and provide practical advice across commercial agreements, statutory functions, governance, resources and energy projects, and—where required—litigation, arbitration and policy work.

In addition to this, you will have

• Admission to legal practice in a Supreme Court of an Australian state or territory, with at least three years post-admission experience or equivalent legal experience or knowledge.
• The interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills to build trusted working relationships with Traditional Owners, colleagues, clients and external stakeholders.
• A genuine interest in, and understanding of, the lived experiences of Aboriginal people in the NLC region.
• A current C class driver's licence and willingness to travel to remote locations by manual four-wheel-drive vehicle or light aircraft.

For a full copy of the Position Description refer to the link provided below.

Why join the NLC

• Purposeful legal work that directly supports Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities.
• Varied, intellectually demanding matters spanning commercial negotiations, statutory functions, governance, litigation and policy.
• The opportunity to work alongside more experienced lawyers and multidisciplinary teams, with exposure across five legal practice areas.

We offer:

• Competitive base salary based on years of experience in practice, plus 15% superannuation paid on Base and District Allowance
• salary sacrificing up to $15,900 + Meal Entertainment and Holiday Accommodation benefit up to $2,650 per year.
• Other benefits under our Enterprise Agreement include:
  • District allowance of up to $4,5064 (DA2) per annum for individuals with dependents and $2,777(DA1) without dependents.
  • Generous leave provisions5 weeks annual leave, 18 days personal leave;
  • Paid Christmas close down;
  • Upon completion of 12 months of service anAnnual airfare with a net (in hand) value of $3,453

Reasonable relocation assistance is available for these positions

The Northern Land Council is committed to increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment. This position is a prioritised position and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants who meet the selection requirements will be given priority consideration in accordance with the NLC's Special Measures provisions and Section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

Enquiries: Please contact the General Counsel on 0409 048 147.

Applications Close: Friday 16 October 2026

About the NLC

The Northern Land Council (NLC) is an independent statutory authority of the Commonwealth. The NLC is established under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) 1976 and its purpose is to serve its constituents who are Traditional Owners (TOs) and other Aboriginal people living in their region. Cultural knowledge and lived experience are central to the work that we do here at NLC. We are committed to enhancing Aboriginal peoples social, political and economic participation by supporting their aspirations and amplifying their voices on a range of issues impacting on their lands, seas, culture and communities.