Principal Lawyer – EL 2

Australian Taxation Office; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Taxation Office in Canberra is seeking qualified Lawyers to join our Office of General Counsel as Principal Lawyer. You’ll lead advice and dispute resolution across general law matters affecting ATO operations and provide authoritative guidance on complex, high‑risk legal issues.

You will oversee significant litigation, exercise professional judgement, and drive the management of legal risk, supporting sound governance and legally robust outcomes.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyers with a strong drive for success to join the Office of General Counsel.
• Principal Lawyer to lead advice and dispute resolution across general law matters affecting ATO operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead legal teams and contribute to the strategic direction of the Office of General Counsel.
• Oversee significant litigation and general law matters, exercising professional judgement to resolve complex issues and support governance.
• Drive the effective management of legal risk across the organisation.

Job description

We are seeking qualified Lawyers with a strong drive for success to join our Office of General Counsel.

As a Principal Lawyer, you’ll lead advice and dispute resolution services across a range of general law matters affecting ATO operations. You’ll provide authoritative advice on complex, sensitive and high-risk legal matters, influence decision-making at senior executive levels and drive the effective management of legal risk across the organisation.

You will oversee significant litigation and general law matters, exercising a high degree of professional judgement and autonomy to resolve complex legal issues and support sound governance and legally robust outcomes.

You will lead legal teams, provide stewardship of legal capability and contribute to the strategic direction of the Office of General Counsel and the broader ATO.

These roles may be offered on an ongoing or non-ongoing basis in Adelaide, Brisbane CBD, Canberra, Melbourne CBD or Sydney CBD.

We embrace the strength of diversity – through our people and the perspectives they bring.

We are committed to inclusive recruitment practices and encourage applications from people with disability or neurodivergence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and individuals from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments can be provided throughout the selection process.

We are seeking qualified Lawyers with a strong drive for success to join our Office of General Counsel.

As a Principal Lawyer, you’ll lead advice and dispute resolution services across a range of general law matters affecting ATO operations. You’ll provide authoritative advice on complex, sensitive and high-risk legal matters, influence decision-making at senior executive levels and drive the effective management of legal risk across the organisation.

You will oversee significant litigation and general law matters, exercising a high degree of professional judgement and autonomy to resolve complex legal issues and support sound governance and legally robust outcomes.

You will lead legal teams, provide stewardship of legal capability and contribute to the strategic direction of the Office of General Counsel and the broader ATO.

These roles may be offered on an ongoing or non-ongoing basis in Adelaide, Brisbane CBD, Canberra, Melbourne CBD or Sydney CBD.

We embrace the strength of diversity – through our people and the perspectives they bring.

We are committed to inclusive recruitment practices and encourage applications from people with disability or neurodivergence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and individuals from all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments can be provided throughout the selection process.