Principal Legal Officer

Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is seeking a Principal Legal Officer in Canberra to lead a legal section and deliver high-quality in-house legal services. You will advise on regulatory, commercial and privacy matters across biosecurity, trade, food safety and compliance while mentoring lawyers and collaborating with policymakers and operational staff.

The role emphasizes strategic leadership, risk management and effective communication with internal and external

Qualifications

• Degree in law and eligibility for ACT legal practising certificate.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop legal professionals.
• Proven capability in managing complex, high‑risk legal matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead a legal section within the division to deliver high-quality in-house services.
• Provide strategic legal advice to policymakers and staff across diverse areas.
• Mentor and supervise lawyers to build capability and an inclusive team culture.
• Advise on regulatory, commercial and privacy issues within Australia’s biosecurity and trade context.

Skills

Legal leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Mentorship

Education

Law degree

ACT practising certificate

Job description

Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Canberra ACT

Why YOU are important to us and what impact will you have on the Legal Division and the department’s goals.

You will have the opportunity to provide legal advice and services while working closely with policymakers and operational staff on matters that directly affect all Australians across areas as diverse as biosecurity, agricultural production, trade, food, wine, fisheries and forestry. A job with Legal Division is a chance to meaningfully apply your legal skills to practical outcomes in an environment focused on your learning and development as a lawyer. The Legal Division’s large and diverse practice means that lawyers will be able to gain experience in their specific interests across a wide range of areas of law, including:

• Directly developing and progressing legislation, working closely with policymakers to put effective laws in place.
• Providing employment law advice, including on investigations, work health and safety and external review proceedings.
• Providing advice on privacy law and digital law issues including AI use cases.
• Developing and delivering legal training to staff in policy and operational decision-making roles.
• Advising on regulatory systems and operations to assist staff on the front lines with Australia’s quarantine, trade, food safety and exports across diverse supply chains, at airports and in the community.
• Providing practical legal advice to assist investigation and enforcement of biosecurity and export laws to ensure Australia’s trade and health are safeguarded, including by civil penalty litigation.
• Managing the department’s litigation caseload and dispute resolution, including working with external law firms and counsel to provide strategic advice
• Advising on the department’s range of commercial matters, including advising on procurements and grants, ICT contracting, the Commonwealth resource management framework, intellectual property and property matters.
• Managing the department’s legal issues arising from data management, information collection and management and freedom of information requests.

The Legal Division works together to support and develop lawyers to meet their career aspirations. You will be working with committed, engaged colleagues in a supportive and flexible environment, and will progress interesting and meaningful work that is unique to the department and the Commonwealth.

This is where you play an important role.

The Principal Legal Officer is a leadership role which helps drive the vision and direction of its branch, as set out by the General Counsel and Chief Counsel. The Principal Legal Officer is responsible for managing a legal section which involves motivating, mentoring and supervising a team to deliver on initiatives and goals in an inclusive, responsive and effective environment. Additionally, the Principal Legal Officer will provide high quality legal services in an in-house environment, including legal research, analysis and problem solving. Our highly engaged internal clients are comprised of regulatory scientists and administrative, policy and compliance officers who are passionate about safeguarding and growing sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry for Australians.

Who we are looking for

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Experience managing a diverse case load, providing advice and solutions in challenging, complex, sensitive or high-risk environments and exercising sound judgement in managing legal risk.
• Highly developed communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly, accurately and in a timely and professional manner.
• Capacity to deal appropriately with sensitive matters that may affect the department, the Public Service and/or the broader community.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and mentor legal professionals, foster an inclusive culture, and build workforce capability.
• Proven capability to communicate with influence, building and maintaining productive relationships with both internal and external stakeholders and experience briefing the Executive, Ministers or Minister’s advisors.
• Significant recent experience in legal practice, including providing advice on, and solutions to complex, sensitive or high-profile matters. Applicants should have a minimum of 5 years' relevant post-admission experience.

Mandatory Qualifications:

To be eligible for these positions you are required to hold a degree in law and be eligible to hold an ACT legal practising certificate.