Legal Director

Coleambally; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 144,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and remote work options

Job summary

Australian Human Rights Commission in Melbourne seeks an experienced Legal Director to support the General Counsel and manage the Legal team. The role covers privacy advice, IHRC Act inquiries and external litigation representation. A wide range of human rights and discrimination law matters are handled with senior-level responsibility.

The position offers a competitive salary and a 15.4% superannuation, with flexible, hybrid and remote work options. Applications close 5pm AEDT 05 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years post admission experience.
• Admission as a legal practitioner of the Hugh Court of Australia or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory.
• Hold or be eligible to hold an unrestricted practicing certificate.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the management of the Legal team and provide legal advice.
• Supervise team delivery ensuring quality and compliance.
• Conduct high level legal research and policy advice on human rights, privacy and discrimination law.

Skills

Leadership

Legal research

Stakeholder engagement

Policy advice

Communication

Education

Legal qualification

Unrestricted practicing certificate

Job description

About us

The Australian Human Rights Commission (the Commission) is Australia’s national human rights institution, dedicated to fostering a society where human rights are upheld, protected, and celebrated. We envision an Australia where every individual is valued equally in dignity and rights.

Our mission involves promoting and safeguarding the human rights of all Australians by:

• Advising all levels of government and various public and private organisations.
• Strengthening laws, policies, and practices while providing accessible investigation and conciliation services.
• Engaging inclusively with civil society, communities, and the private sector.
• Raising awareness about human rights and offering educational resources.
• Collaborating with partners to cultivate a culture of respect for human rights across the nation.

The Legal Division is a small, dynamic team that provides the services of in-house counsel to the Commission. Our lawyers give high level legal advice on a range of issues including human rights and anti-discrimination law, governance and compliance issues and commercial issues such as contracts and tender processes. We also represent the Commission in external litigation, including as intervener in human rights and unlawful discrimination proceedings.

We are looking for an experienced Legal Director to Join our team. The role provides support to the General Counsel in managing the work of the Legal team and has responsibilities across all areas of the team’s work. The Legal Director directly manages the delivery of key streams of work in the Legal team including privacy advice and inquiries and reports into alleged breaches of human rights and discrimination in employment under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth) (AHRC Act).

This full-time, ongoing position offers a competitive salary range of $144,073 - $169,322 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation.

We offer flexible, hybrid and remote work options.

Skills & Experience

What You’ll Do:

• Under the direction of the General Counsel, assist in the management of the Legal team which provides legal advice to the Commission, ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, carries out statutory functions and conducts litigation.
• Supervise the work of members of the Legal team to ensure quality, accuracy and compliance with professional standards.
• Conduct legal research and prepare high level legal and related policy advice on matters including human rights, privacy and federal discrimination law.
• Represent the Commission at meetings, seminars and in court as required.
• Work effectively with other sections within the Commission and liaise with persons having contact with the Commission.
• Maintain office standards for timeliness, confidentiality and matter management.
• Manage the delivery of statutory and regulatory work by legal officers including privacy advice and AHRC Act inquiries and reports.

What We’re Looking For:

• Excellent leadership skills and the ability to assist in the leadership of a high performing and engaged team of legal professionals that contribute to achieving the Commission’s strategic goals.
• Demonstrated capacity to exercise sound judgment and creative problem solving in a complex, sensitive and dynamic environment.
• Expert knowledge of Australian legislation relating to anti-discrimination and human rights issues, and of international covenants and instruments dealing with human rights.
• High level knowledge of or relevant experience with the federal government accountability framework (such as the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (Cth) and privacy laws) and other relevant legal obligations, will be considered highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct legal research and provide accurate, high level legal and policy advice in a timely and efficient manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work efficiently and effectively within, and contribute creatively to, a small team, as well as with other sections of the Commission.
• Very good interpersonal skills and the ability to contribute to team building and maintaining positive relationships, as part of a team.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to engage and negotiate successfully with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of the Commission’s functions and strategic priorities.
• Minimum of 6 years post admission experience.
• Admission as a legal practitioner of the Hugh Court of Australia or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory.
• Hold or be eligible to hold an unrestricted practicing certificate.

Additional Information

Why Join Us?

By becoming a part of our team, you'll play a vital role in influencing public conversations about human rights and making a meaningful impact. If you’re ready to use your skills to support a cause that matters, we want to hear from you!

Applications close: 5pm AEDT 05 November 2026

Notes

We value inclusivity and diversity and seek people who support and model the behaviours we promote in our workforce. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations Australians, mature workers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, culturally and marginalised communities, carers, LGBTIQA+ and people with disability.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS). An Agency Head may waive the requirement for citizenship prior to engaging an individual where it is appropriate to do so.

The Commission is committed to providing an accessible, inclusive work environment to enable people with a disability to participate fully in all aspects of employment. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustment as required to assist your participation in this recruitment process.

The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the Commission where the duties are of a similar nature.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

For more Information

Information about the role and Commission practices may be sought from Graeme Edgerton via email [e-mail].