As Chief Counsel / First Assistant Secretary of the Workplace Relations Legal Division, you will lead a
team responsible for:
providing legal advice to government on workplace relations, work health and safety, and workers' compensation framework matters
supporting the development of legislative reform, and
managing workplace relations litigation involving the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations.
The Chief Counsel, along with the Workplace Relations Legal Division, works with the 3 policy divisions in the Workplace Relations Group, as well as the Office of the Chief Economist, throughout the design process of legislative policy matters, to ensure an integrated approach to reforms.
The key duties of the position include:
The duties and responsibilities include:
Leading the division to provide independent, expert legal advice to the Minister and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations on workplace relations, statutory appointments, work health and safety, and workers' compensation
Leading collaboration with departmental colleagues and across the APS to support the development of legislation using a project management approach
Leading the division to manage workplace relations litigation involving the Minister
Overseeing statutory appointments to workplace relations portfolio agencies and bodies, and
Contributing to corporate priorities, such as those relating to mentoring, diversity and inclusion, employee networks and cultural capability.
The successful candidate will have a strong legal background (and be admitted as a legal practitioner) with experience in legal advising and litigation in workplace relations and/or experience in legislative development.
They will need to be able to work effectively with policy colleagues.
They will also be an outstanding leader and manager.
Eligibility
Please note, under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act ****, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency delegate has agreed, in writing.




This is a designated security assessed position.
The successful candidate will have the ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a Negative Level 1 security clearance.
This selection process may be used to establish a merit pool.
The pool might be accessed to fill ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies for similar roles in the Department over the next 18 months.
Notes
Qualifications and education
Mandatory:
Tertiary qualification, such as a law degree, from an Australian tertiary institution or a comparable overseas qualification.
Able to be admitted as a practitioner, however described, of the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory.
Getting to know the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)
We are the department that helps job seeking Australians find safe, secure, and well-paid work while we ourselves strive to be a model employer.
We provide the framework for fair and productive relationships between employers and employees.
We also oversee skills development and training initiatives to support those entering the workforce or retraining to take advantage of emerging employment opportunities.
Secure jobs are vital—driving future economic growth and providing people with the certainty.
We focus on connecting Australians who are starting, advancing or changing their career with the relevant skills, knowledge and experience to gain or regain employment.
Our work directly contributes to shaping the employment landscape.
It is our unique purpose to help people realise their potential and we want you to be part of it.
Underpinning our important work is our focus on culture.
We recognise that how we do things is equally significant as what we achieve.
Our workplace is one where different perspective are encouraged, people feel a sense of belonging and draw on the expertise of their peers.
Our people demonstrate the APS Values, which includes being open, thoughtful, curious and candid.
We also value employee wellbeing and developing leadership through investment in capability.

📌 Chief Counsel/First Assistant Secretary (Perth)
🏢 Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)
📍 Perth