Solicitor (Flex)

State Government of Victoria, Australia; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 101,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

State Government of Victoria in Melbourne seeks an experienced Solicitor to join the Public Law and Inquiries team within the Legal Services Branch. The role provides strategic legal advice on statutory interpretation, administrative law, and sensitive litigation including coronial inquiries.

Hybrid work arrangements apply, with collaboration across the department to support policies that advance social recovery and community wellbeing in Victoria.

Qualifications

• Current practicing certificate as a solicitor with a minimum of two years post-admission experience.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise written communications including briefs, letters and reports.
• Strong organizational awareness and effective decision-making in formal/informal settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide well-reasoned legal advice, briefings and correspondence.
• Collaborate with colleagues to deliver client-focused legal services aligned with policy objectives.
• Instruct in litigation across a wide range of courts and tribunals.
• Prepare briefs and instruct counsel and contracted solicitors on the State Government Legal Panel.
• Liaise with external stakeholders including barristers and other government departments.
• Contribute to strategic and operational planning to improve legal services and outcomes.
• Participate in training across the department and maintain records per policy.

Skills

Legal analysis

Written communications

Organizational awareness

Prioritization

Customer focus

Integrity

Education

Solicitor with practicing certificate

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DFFH/SOLICITOR

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) works hard to create equal opportunities for all Victorians to live a
safe, respected and valued life.
Our areas of focus are child protection, housing, disability, the prevention of family violence, multicultural affairs, LGBTIQA+
equality, veterans, women and youth. The work we do benefits thousands of Victorians, particularly those who are
disadvantaged and vulnerable.
We work in a variety of community-based settings, including people's homes, residential facilities and secure settings across
metropolitan, rural and regional Victoria.
We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated. All jobs can be
worked flexibly, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from diverse
backgrounds and abilities.
If you're having any trouble viewing this ad and would like it or any attachments in an accessible format (such as large
print), please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed
on the ad.
For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit Department of Families, Fairness and
Housing Victoria | Jobs (www.dffh.vic.gov.au/jobs)

Solicitor ( Flex )

• Salary range : $100,894 - $114,476 (full-time equivalent per annum) plus superannuation
• Full-time / Flexible
• Fixed term to 30 June 2027

About the Role

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing is seeking an experienced Solicitor to join our Public Law and Inquiries team within the Legal Services Branch. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that supports Victoria's social recovery and community wellbeing while developing your legal expertise in a dynamic government environment.

In this role, you will provide timely, strategic, and practical legal advice to key stakeholders across the department. Your work will encompass a broad range of legal issues including statutory interpretation, administrative law matters, and the management of sensitive litigation including coronial inquiries and Hague Convention matters. This position offers the chance to make a real difference by supporting policies and services that create equal opportunities for all Victorians to live safe, respected, and valued lives.

Working from our Melbourne office with flexible hybrid arrangements, you will collaborate with colleagues across the Legal Services Branch and the broader department, exercising sound judgment and initiative while building effective working relationships that drive positive outcomes for the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide well-reasoned legal advice, briefings, and correspondence that is clear, accurate, and outcomes-focused
• Collaborate with departmental colleagues to deliver client-focused legal services that support government policy objectives
• Instruct in litigation involving the department across a wide range of courts and tribunals
• Prepare briefs and instruct counsel and contracted solicitors on the State Government Legal Panel
• Liaise with external stakeholders including barristers, court and tribunal staff, other government departments, and professional bodies
• Contribute to strategic and operational planning to improve legal services and client outcomes
• Participate in the delivery of training across the department as required
• Maintain accurate and complete records in accordance with legislative requirements and departmental policies

Required Qualifications

• Current practicing certificate as a solicitor with a minimum of two years post-admission experience
• Demonstrated ability to prepare clear, concise, and grammatically correct written communications including briefs, letters, and reports
• Strong organizational awareness with understanding of formal and informal influencing relationships and decision-making processes
• Proven ability to plan and prioritize work to ensure outcomes are achieved while managing competing demands
• Experience listening to and actively seeking to meet customer needs with commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes
• Demonstrated integrity and commitment to operating in a manner consistent with organizational codes of conduct

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in Government Law and provision of legal and policy advice to government
• Strong statutory interpretation skills and litigation experience
• Experience with administrative law matters
• Ability to adapt communication style and content to suit different audiences
• Experience negotiating and implementing well-planned courses of action to achieve specific outcomes

What We’re Looking For

We seek a collaborative legal professional who thrives in a team environment and is committed to public service excellence. The ideal candidate will demonstrate enthusiasm and sustained effort, set high standards for themselves, and work effectively with diverse working styles. You will be someone who encourages resolution of conflict, shows consideration for others' ideas, and is driven by the opportunity to contribute to creating a fairer and safer Victoria.

This role offers flexible and hybrid work arrangements, supporting your work-life balance while enabling you to contribute to bold and innovative reform for the community. You will join a department dedicated to empowering communities and leading policies focused on community wellbeing and social recovery.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are building an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity and difference, and we actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people living with disability, LGBTIQA+ individuals, veterans, and people from varied cultural backgrounds.

Applications close Tuesday 6 October 2026 at 11.59pm