Principal Legal Officer

NSW Health; St Leonards; On-site; AUD 171,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Health is seeking a Legal Officer within the Director, Legal Enforcement, Compliance and Prosecutions team to provide robust legal advice on tobacco and vaping laws.

The role focuses on implementation and enforcement, with opportunities to contribute to day-to-day regulatory functions of the health system. A 35-hour week and generous starting salary reflect senior responsibilities.

Qualifications

• We are seeking motivated and committed individuals who can support the work of NSW Health with:
• The ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
• A growth mindset, and commitment to continuous learning and personal development.
• The ability to work in a small dynamic team environment.
• Proficiency in working to tight deadlines and managing a high volume of work.
• Display resilience and an ability to give frank, honest advice in response to strong contrary views and respond in a thoughtful and considered way to criticism of own ideas.

Responsibilities

• The Principal Legal Officer will be reviewing and advising on matters relating to the illicit tobacco and vaping laws, including ensuring that decisions under the laws meet legal and administrative law requirements.
• Lawyers in the team need excellent written and verbal communication and good time management skills, as well as a demonstrated capacity to proactively manage emerging issues and provide strategic legal advice on solutions.

Job description

Join our Legal Unit at Ministry of Health for an exciting temporary full time employment opportunity (for up to 21 months) and be part of the team enriching health in millions of ways every day.

About us

We are a dynamic team of lawyers who are engaged in a broad and interesting range of legal matters. If you are looking for variety, complexity and purposeful work, then this role could be for you.

• Our core values of collaboration, openness, respect, and empowerment are more than just words – they're the guiding principles that shape every aspect of our work.
• Committed to fostering diverse and inclusive workplace for all.
  

To learn more about the Ministry and what benefits we offer, access our Employee Benefits Handbook.

About this role

With your skills and experience, you can make a substantial contribution to the health and wellbeing of the people of NSW while developing your career as part of the largest health organisation in Australia.

The Legal Unit is assisting implementation of tobacco and vaping reforms in NSW that include a licensing framework for tobacco retailers and strong powers to close down premises that breach tobacco and vaping laws. You will be providing legal advice to officers and the Health Secretary on a range of matters associated with the new laws to ensure that officers make sound and robust decisions.

Legal Officer Grade 6, starting salary from $170,841- $174,440 plus Super and annual leave loading, with a 35-hour work week.

For more information, please read the full Role Description.

What you’ll be doing

The role sits in the Director, Legal Enforcement, Compliance and Prosecutions team. The team’s work includes legislation, legal compliance work, local court applications, prosecutions and general legal work arising from the day to day operation of the Ministry’s regulatory functions and the larger public health system. A current focus is on the implementation and enforcement of the laws in relation to tobacco and vaping products.

The Principal Legal Officer will be reviewing and advising on matters relating to the illicit tobacco and vaping laws, including ensuring that decisions under the laws meet legal and administrative law requirements. Lawyers in the team need excellent written and verbal communication and good time management skills, as well as a demonstrated capacity to proactively manage emerging issues and provide strategic legal advice on solutions.

About you

We are seeking motivated and committed individuals who can support the work of NSW Health with:

• The ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
• A growth mindset, and commitment to continuous learning and personal development.
• The ability to work in a small dynamic team environment.
• Proficiency in working to tight deadlines and managing a high volume of work.
• Display resilience and an ability to give frank, honest advice in response to strong contrary views and respond in a thoughtful and considered way to criticism of own ideas.

Closing Date: Monday 5 October 2026

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

At the Ministry of Health, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and flexible environment which reflects the community and customers we serve. We actively promote the employment of women, people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and would like assistance with your application or to obtain more information on how to apply, please visit The Stepping Up Initiative.

To be eligible for employment in these roles you must be an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen, or hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia.

Additional information

• This recruitment may be used to create a Talent Pool for similar future roles (ongoing or temporary) that may arise over the next 18 months.
• This is a temporary role and there may be opportunities for ongoing employment.
• For more information on applying visit the Ministry of Health Career portal
• Please note the selection process will include a range of comparative assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role.

Applications Close: 11:59pm, Monday 5 October 2026