Legal Officer

Job Details; Newcastle; On-site; ZAR 1 279 000 - 1 443 000; Full time

Job summary

A Government Legal Office in NSW is seeking a Legal Officer to support the Department's initiatives. The ideal candidate will provide legal research and advice, manage competing priorities, and be admitted as a Solicitor in NSW. Offering a salary range of $115,853 to $130,547, this full-time position promotes work/life balance and a culture of collaboration. Join a team dedicated to impactful legal work that shapes policy and infrastructure outcomes.

Benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Support programs

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Admitted or qualified for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister in NSW.
• Strong legal research and analytical skills for timely advice.
• Experience drafting legal documents and managing competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Support planning and local government work.
• Provide legal research and advice on statutory interpretation.
• Manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Legal Research

Advocacy

Contract Law

Court Proceedings

Personal Injury Cases

Intellectual Property

Criminal Cases

Labor Law

Education

NSW Practising Certificate

Job description

Together we shape thriving communities public spaces places and economies.

• Opportunity to grow your legal career while contributing to high-impact projects
• Ongoing and Temporary full time opportunities available (35 hours per week)
• Sydney location with flexible working supported - other locations within NSW by negotiation
• Salary relative to experience and ranges from $115853 to $130547 super

Whats in it for me

Join our team for a fantastic culture with dynamic collaboration and genuine long-term career support. We offer flexibility in work arrangements diverse and fulfilling assignments and prioritise work/life balance and wellbeing with initiatives like flex leave and access to support programs. Additionally we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome respected and empowered to succeed.

The role

As a Legal Officer you’ll be part of a collaborative legal team supporting the Department’s work particularly across the planning local government portfolios. You’ll provide legal research draft advice on matters of statutory interpretation and administrative law and contribute to legislative reform projects including preparing drafting instructions for Parliamentary Counsels Officeall while helping clients navigate legal risks and obligations.

You’ll be juggling competing priorities in a fast-paced environment translating complex legal concepts into plain English for clients within the Department and staying across evolving legislation. This role offers a chance to grow your legal career while contributing to meaningful high-impact work that shapes policy legislation and infrastructure outcomes across NSW.

For more information read the full Role Description: Legal Officer

What you will bring to the role

• Strong legal research and analytical skills with the ability to deliver clear timely advice across a range of legal areas relevant to government operations.
• Experience drafting legal documents and instruments supporting the Department’s legislative regulatory and operational functions.
• Ability to manage competing priorities delivering quality outcomes under pressure while maintaining attention to detail and compliance.
• Collaborative mindset working effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders to support legal projects and training initiatives.
• Commitment to continuous learning staying up to date with legal developments and translating complex information into practical guidance.

Key knowledge and experience

• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Administrative law
  • Planning law
  • NSW legislative processes and policy making
  • Commercial law
  • Property law native title law crown lands law
  • Local government law
  • Compliance and regulatory law prosecutions and general litigation

What is an essential requirement:

• Admitted or qualified for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister in the Supreme Court of NSW and hold or be eligible to hold a NSW Practising Certificate.

About us

The Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) improves the liveability and prosperity of NSW. To achieve this we: create vibrant productive spaces and precincts; manage lands assets and property effectively and deliver affordable and diverse housing. We strive to be a high-performing world-class public service organisation that celebrates and reflects the full diversity of the community we serve and builds the cultural capability of our department to improve outcomes with and for Aboriginal people communities and entities.

We are an inclusive and accessible workplace where your individual contributions are valued and where everyone is encouraged to feel a sense of connection and belonging. DPHI supports various employee affinity groups practices flexible working offers job share and workplace adjustments.

Join us

If excited by the information above we look forward to receiving your application including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close 11:55PM on Monday 20 October 2025

Should you require further information about the role please contact Kieran Haydon on

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment.

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent skills and potential. Contact the Talent Team via or (02) - HR Support option 2 DPHI People Advisory option 1 and reference Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number.

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role or contact our Aboriginal Career pathway team for a yarn. Role Description

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority

Key Skills

• Personal Injury Cases
• Intellectual Property
• Counsel
• Court Proceedings
• Advocacy
• Legal Research
• Contract Law
• Criminal Cases
• Legal procedures
• Law
• Private Practice
• Trial Preparation
• Labor Law
• Legal Advice
• Arbitration Law

Employment Type

Full-Time

Experience

years

Vacancy

1

Monthly Salary Salary

115853 - 130547