Principal Lawyer

Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service; Rockhampton Regional; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Flexible work-life balance

Salary sacrificing options

Paid parental leave

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service seeks an experienced senior lawyer to provide trusted, executive-level legal advice to the Chief Executive and senior leaders across CQHHS. You will handle complex matters spanning clinical, governance and information law, with a focus on patient safety and organisational governance.

You will work within a large public health service network, engaging with clinicians and executives, and contributing to risk management, decision-making and strategic

Qualifications

• A degree in law and admission to practice as a Legal Practitioner in Queensland.
• Four or more years' post admission experience in a similar field, government or corporate environment is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice across clinical, governance, employment and information law matters.
• Support coronial matters, clinical review processes and complex ethical issues.
• Advise on workforce and employment matters under relevant legislation.
• Manage litigation and represent CQHHS where required.
• Build strong relationships across clinical, corporate and executive teams.
• Contribute to organisational decision-making and risk management.

Skills

Legal advisory

Governance

Employment law

Information law

Litigation

Education

Law degree

Legal Practitioner's admission (Queensland)

Job description

Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service – Rockhampton QLD

At CQHHS, we deliver public healthcare across regional, rural and remote communities. With over 4,500 staff, we are committed to improving the health of Central Queenslanders and delivering safe, high-quality care.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of decision-making within a large and complex health service, contributing to outcomes that directly impact patient care, workforce management and organisational governance.

About us

At CQHHS, we deliver public healthcare across regional, rural and remote communities. With over 4,500 staff, we are committed to improving the health of Central Queenslanders and delivering safe, high-quality care.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of decision-making within a large and complex health service, contributing to outcomes that directly impact patient care, workforce management and organisational governance.

The Opportunity

This is not a traditional legal role.

Reporting to the Director, Office of the Chief Executive, you will provide senior, trusted legal advice directly to the Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team and clinical leaders across CQHHS.

You will work on complex and high-impact matters spanning:

• Clinical and medico-legal health law
• Governance and statutory decision-making
• Employment and workforce matters
• Information law and privacy
• Litigation and coronial matters.

Why this role is different

Work at executive level

Engage directly with senior decision-makers, including the Chief Executive and Board, on significant organisational issues.

Be part of a broader legal network

While you will be an independent advisor to CQHHS, you will be part of a broader network of legal teams across the State. To embed these networks and provide support you will have access to other Legal Teams, providing:

• Professional support and peer collaboration
• Access to specialist expertise
• Opportunities to work across complex and novel issues

Breadth and impact

This role offers exposure to a wide range of legal issues rarely seen in a single position, with direct impact on patient safety, workforce outcomes and organisational performance.

Key Responsibilities

You will:

• Provide expert legal advice across clinical, governance, employment and information law matters
• Support coronial matters, clinical review processes and complex ethical issues
• Advise on workforce and employment matters under relevant legislation
• Manage litigation and represent CQHHS where required
• Build strong relationships across clinical, corporate and executive teams
• Contribute to organisational decision-making and risk management

About you

You are:

• A highly capable lawyer with strong judgement and the ability to provide clear, practical and timely advice
• Comfortable operating in a complex, high-pressure environment
• Able to engage effectively with senior stakeholders and clinicians
• Solutions-focused, with a strong sense of accountability and professionalism
• Interested in work that has real impact beyond legal technicality

Mandatory Requirements

• A degree in law and admission to practice as a Legal Practitioner in Queensland.
• Four or more years' post admission experience (or agreed equivalent) gained within a similar field, quality corporate and/or government environment is highly desirable.

What we offer

Total remuneration value of up to $193,277 p.a. is comprised of:

• An hourly rate between $80.74 - $85.43 p.h.
• 12.75% employer superannuation contribution
• 17.5% leave loading

Additional Benefits

• Ongoing Professional Development and Education Opportunities
• Flexible Work-Life Balance and Variety
• Generous Salary Sacrificing Options
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) requirements

It is a condition of employment for this role for the employee to be, and remain, vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases as listed on the Role Description.

Applications close

Thursday, 1 October 2026