Sessional Ombudsman, Banking and Finance

Australian Financial Complaints Authority; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Gold AWEI Accreditation 2025

Accredited Family Friendly Workplace

Inclusive leave options

Job summary

Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) invites experienced senior lawyers to join its decision-making team in a per-engagement capacity. You will work alongside Ombudsmen, lawyers and industry experts to resolve complex banking and finance disputes with independence and fairness.

This board-appointed, 3-year term role focuses on applying legal expertise, sound judgement and thoughtful analysis to deliver equitable outcomes for consumers and the financial services sector.

Qualifications

• Legal qualifications and substantial senior-level experience within banking and finance, tribunals, regulators or external dispute resolution.
• Experience in banking regulation, Banking Codes of Practice, contract law, insolvency, securities, lending and dispute resolution.
• A proven track record of achievement and professional integrity in complex legal environments.

Responsibilities

• Assist with complex disputes within banking and finance.
• Collaborate with Ombudsmen, lawyers and industry experts to deliver independent decisions.
• Apply sound judgement to reach fair, objective outcomes while maintaining integrity.
• This is a per-engagement, board-appointed 3-year term role.

Skills

Senior lawyer experience

Judgement & analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

Legal qualifications

Job description

Sessional Ombudsman, Banking and Finance

Australian Financial Complaints Authority - Sydney NSW

5d ago , from Australian Financial Complaints Authority AFCA

Make a real impact at AFCA. Where fairness drives every decision. Help us deliver world-class, independent complaints resolution for Australians. As a not-for-profit and progressive financial ombudsman, we're championing positive change. Achieving our purpose takes progressive thinking, accountability and resilience. At AFCA, our inclusive leadership values every voice. We offer our people flexible work options, thoughtful benefits and opportunities to deepen expertise. Flourish in a diverse, caring culture. Feel the difference of belonging to an organisation intentionally designed to put people first.

Job Description

Flexible, meaningful work. Expert impact when it matters most.

After a distinguished legal career, you may be looking for a role that allows you to continue applying your expertise in a meaningful way, while creating space for other professional interests, board appointments, consulting work, family commitments, or simply a greater sense of balance.

At AFCA, we are seeking Sessional Ombudsmen, Banking & Finance to join our highly regarded decision-making team on a per-engagement basis.

This unique appointment offers the opportunity to remain intellectually challenged and professionally engaged, while contributing to outcomes that have a genuine impact on consumers, small businesses and the financial services sector.

Use your expertise where it matters most

As a Sessional Ombudsman, you will be called upon to assist with complex and significant disputes within banking and finance. Drawing on AFCA's extensive specialist resources, research capability and dispute resolution framework, you will work collaboratively with experienced Ombudsmen, lawyers and industry experts to deliver independent, fair and balanced decisions.

This is an opportunity to focus on what you do best: applying sound judgement, analysing complex legal issues and helping resolve matters of significance.

This is a Board appointed, 3 year term role.

Qualifications

Who we're looking for

We're seeking accomplished senior lawyers, former Partners, barristers, executive legal leaders and banking & finance professionals who bring deep industry expertise, sound judgement and a strong track record of achievement.

You’ll be known for navigating complex legal and commercial issues with credibility, pragmatism and fairness, and have experience in areas such as banking regulation, Banking Codes of Practice, contract law, insolvency, securities, lending and dispute resolution.

You thrive in a flexible, per-engagement environment, communicate with influence and empathy, and can balance independence with collaboration. Most importantly, you're committed to delivering fair, objective outcomes and maintaining the highest standards of integrity and impartiality.

Candidates will hold legal qualifications and have substantial senior-level experience within banking and finance, a tribunal, regulator, external dispute resolution scheme or a related environment.

If you're looking to apply your expertise in a meaningful way while enjoying greater flexibility and balance, we'd love to hear from you.

Additional Information

• Gold AWEI Accreditation 2025 - Recognised for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
• Accredited Family Friendly Workplace - Supporting work-life balance and inclusivity.
• Hybrid working - Flexible arrangements with two days a week in our modernoffices designed for collaboration and wellbeing.
• Additional and inclusive leave options - Flexible public holidays, gender affirmation leave, women's health leave, and bonus paid time off over the end of year holiday period.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. If you require any accessibility support during the recruitment process, please reach out to our team at [emailprotected].

We believe fairness starts with people. That’s why we don’t use AI or automated tools to screen candidates. As a result, our processes may take a little longer, and we thank you for your patience.

About AFCA

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) was established in 2018 as a private not-for-profit ombudsman service providing free, fair and independent help with financial disputes. The original team has grown to over 1600 dedicated professionals. Since 2018, AFCA has received more than 634,000 complaints, helping to secure $2.1 billion in compensation for consumers.

AFCA is a 2026 Circle Back Initiative Employer - we are committed to responding to every applicant.