LE4 - Senior Solicitor

Department for Education, South Australia; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 138,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

The Senior Solicitor is accountable to the Chief Legal Officer, Legal Services and the Assistant Director, Legal Services and is responsible for assisting and supporting the delivery of legal, policy and governance functions across the Department for Education (DfE) including provision of high quality, strategic policy and legal advice to Senior Executive.

The Senior Solicitor will lead a team of in-house solicitors, ensure timely delivery of legal services, contribute to governance and advisory

Qualifications

• Essential: Law degree.
• Admitted as Practitioner of the Supreme Court of South Australia (or eligible).
• Unrestricted practising certificate.
• Minimum of 7 years post-admission legal practising experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver legal, policy and governance advice across the Department for Education (DfE).
• Provide high-quality, strategic legal advice to Senior Executive.
• Lead and support a team of in-house solicitors; coordinate with Crown Solicitor’s Office as needed.

Skills

Policy advice

Legal drafting

Governance

Leadership

Education

Law degree

Admitted as Practitioner of SA Supreme Court

Unrestricted practising certificate

7 years post-admission experience

Job description

Why work with us

Every child and young person deserves a great education.

Department for Education

Job reference: 862104

Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE

Job status: Long Term Contract

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us

Every child and young person deserves a great education. We have a strategy that aims to unlock every child’s potential now and into the future, one that in partnership with learners, students, parents and the wider South Australian community will build a world‑leading public education system. One that is equitable and prioritises learning and wellbeing.

Together we will make our education system the best it can be.

When our children and young people thrive, so do our communities and our state.

About The Role

The Senior Solicitor is accountable to the Chief Legal Officer, Legal Services and the Assistant Director, Legal Services and is responsible for assisting and supporting the delivery of legal, policy and governance functions across the Department for Education (DfE) including provision of high quality, strategic policy and legal advice to Senior Executive.

The Senior Solicitor will be responsible for the effective and timely delivery of legal services and advice across DfE, contribute to the delivery of appropriate governance and associated advisory services in DfE; and ensure the delivery and maintenance of efficient work practices within the Legal Services Directorate.

The role provides leadership and support to a team of in-house solicitors and assists with referrals to the Crown Solicitor’s Office.

Qualifications

Essential:

• A degree in Law
• Admitted as a Practitioner of the Supreme Court of South Australia (or be eligible for admission)
• Unrestricted practising certificate
• Minimum of 7 years post admission legal practising experience

Desirable: Nil

Special conditions

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry.

The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN –EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years.

For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.

Remuneration

LE4 $138,016 - $149,885 per annum (1.0 FTE) + superannuation (12%)

Enquiries

Enquiries can be directed to Rebecca Walker, Assistant Director, Legal Services, via tel: [phone] or email: [email protected]

Additional Note

This is a full-time contract role (1.0 FTE), initial 12-month term contract.

Applications close

02/11/2026 11:30 PM

Attachments

• Application Cover Sheet - PSAct..pdf
• How to Apply PS Act guidelines.pdf
• LE4 - Senior Solicitor - Position Description - October 2026.pdf
• VL233 Pre-employment declaration.pdf

Flexibility Statement

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.

People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or those who have a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.