Principal Solicitor

Treasury; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 154,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work

35-hour weeks

Learning opportunities

Wellbeing programs

Parental leave

Job summary

NSW Treasury is seeking a Principal Solicitor in the Office of General Counsel to provide expert legal advice on complex public sector matters. You will manage a diverse portfolio, draft and negotiate complex documents, and deliver practical risk-based guidance to Treasury executives and agencies.

The role requires admission as an Australian lawyer with a current practicing certificate, strong statutory interpretation and negotiation skills, and the ability to operate across a time-critical

Qualifications

• Admission as an Australian Lawyer with current unrestricted practising certificate or eligibility to hold one in NSW
• Extensive post-admission experience advising on complex public sector, commercial, governance or legislative matters
• Strong statutory interpretation, legal research and drafting skills including experience reviewing and negotiating complex legal documents
• Ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical and risk-based advice for senior stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and time-critical matters while maintaining quality
• Strong communication, collaboration and stakeholder management within government processes

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice and practical solutions on complex and high-impact matters supporting Treasury objectives
• Manage a diverse portfolio spanning statutory interpretation, governance, policy implementation, commercial and contractual matters
• Draft, review and negotiate complex legal documents; undertake legal research and deliver clear, risk-based advice
• Build trusted relationships with Treasury executives, government agencies and external advisers
• Support the Deputy General Counsel and contribute to cross-functional priorities across the Office of General Counsel
• Contribute to continuous professional development and cross-government initiatives

Education

Admission as an Australian Lawyer and practising certificate

Job description

Principal Solicitor | Office of General Counsel

Take your legal career to the centre of government, where your advice will help shape decisions that matter. Work on complex, high-impact matters for a diverse —including Treasury executives and business areas - collaborate with NSW Government agencies, the Crown Solicitor’s Office and external legal advisers—and contribute to better outcomes for the people of New South Wales.

• Employment Type: Ongoing
• Classification / Grade / Band: Clerk Grade 11/12
• Remuneration: $154,231 - $178,369 p.a. plus Superannuation and Leave Loading
• Location: Sydney CBD, Flexible working options available
• Applications Close: Tuesday, 22 September 2026 at 9:59am

Role impact & contribution

As Principal Solicitor, you will provide expert legal advice and practical solutions on complex and sensitive matters that support Treasury objectives and NSW Government priorities.

You will manage a diverse portfolio spanning statutory interpretation, governance, policy implementation, commercial and contractual matters. You will draft, review and negotiate complex legal documents, undertake legal research and deliver clear, solutions-focused advice that supports informed decision making and effective legal risk management.

You will build trusted relationships with Treasury executives and business areas, NSW Government agencies, the Crown Solicitor’s Office and external legal advisers. You will also support the Deputy General Counsel and contribute to cross-functional priorities across the Office of General Counsel.

You will be joining our Office of the General Counsel Group. Read more about your future Group and Division.

You can read more about the role in the role description here.

What you can bring to the role

To succeed in this integral role, you will bring sound professional judgement, strong legal expertise and the ability to deliver practical advice in a complex, high-volume environment.

The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria:

• Admission as an Australian Lawyer and a current unrestricted practising certificate, or eligibility to hold one in NSW
• Extensive post-admission experience advising on complex public sector, commercial, contractual, governance or legislative matters
• Strong statutory interpretation, legal research and drafting skills, including experience reviewing and negotiating complex legal documents
• Ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical and risk-based advice for senior stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and sensitive, time-critical matters while maintaining quality and accuracy
• Strong communication, collaboration and stakeholder management skills, with a sound understanding of government processes

If you are currently working at Senior Associate or Special Counsel level and are seeking varied, high-impact in-house legal work, we encourage you to apply.

What can you expect from us

The team you will join is made up of a diverse and welcoming group of people. We understand what starting a new job is like, and to ensure you have the most positive experience we will ‘Buddy’ you up with a team member to help settle you in.

Just some of the benefits of working with Treasury include:

• Flexible work at our Sydney office with 35-hour standard weeks
• Accrual of flex time for extra hours worked, promoting work-life balance.
• Ongoing learning opportunities through expert-led sessions and online training
• Wellbeing programs to support your mental and physical health.
• Various leave options, including paid parental and carers leave.

Read more about our benefits and how we invest in you.

Enrich your career with the NSW Treasury

You will have an invaluable opportunity to create a positive impact for the people of New South Wales. You will be challenged to provide the best outcomes possible in this role while developing and growing your own skills.

When you join Treasury, you join an organisation that is a whole-of-government financial and economic advisor. Treasury is a critical component of the government and provides advice that informs a wide range of financial, economic and policy driven work for the state of NSW.

Professional Development

As you contribute your expertise, you’ll engage in continuous Professional Development, acquiring essential skills such as:

• deepening expertise in statutory interpretation, public law and government decision making
• strengthening commercial contracting, negotiation and legal risk management skills
• building strategic advisory capability across complex whole-of-government matters

Gather more insights about Careers at Treasury and learn more about how you can transform your career in a central government agency invested in you.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

NSW Treasury is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve, where everyone feels welcome, supported and able to contribute and do their best work.

We are committed to fair and equitable recruitment processes and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including First Nations peoples, people with disability, people of all ages and genders, LGBTQIA+ people, and people from diverse cultural, linguistic and religious backgrounds.

We actively support workplace and recruitment adjustments to remove barriers and enable equitable participation. If you require an adjustment or assistance at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact the Talent Advisor listed on the job advertisement or visit the following link for more information: https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/nsw-treasury/about-us/careers

• As a Disability Confident Recruiter, NSW Treasury is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment and supports adjustments so candidates with disability can participate fairly at every stage.
• As a Level 1 Activate Carer Employer, we recognise and support employees with caring responsibilities through inclusive and flexible workplace practices.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for ongoing employment at NSW Treasury, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident of Australia.

NSW Treasury does not provide relocation expenses, nor can we support employer-sponsored work visas unless specifically referenced in the advertisement.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo background checks and provide confirmation of tertiary academic qualifications before commencement.

Any questions?

Visit our Careers Centre or contact our Talent Advisor Natalie Wu [e-mail].

A concurrent search is also underway.