The Administrative Reviews Tribunal (ART) Dispute Resolution & Litigation (DR&L;) Branch in the Chief Counsel Division, is the Agency's in-house legal practice servicing the Agency with legal advice and litigation support services on merits review matters for participants in the ART.
ART disputes between the Agency and participants might arise in a number of contexts, including disputes about access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), NDIS plan supports and these disputes might occur in state or territory courts, federal courts or tribunals.
We currently are looking for EL1 Lawyers to support the ART DR&L; Branch to fill multiple new vacancies and create a merit list for future opportunities. Bring your knowledge of the NDIS Act, the ART Act, alternative dispute resolution practices, as well as your skills in leadership and mentoring staff to these exciting opportunities at the NDIA. The ART DR&L; Branch provides legal advice, support and litigation services on all aspects of ART matters. This is a growing team adapting to the ever-changing demands of merits reviews matters.
The key duties of the position include:
As a member of this dynamic branch, you will be a leader of leaders. You will have responsibility to resolve issues and risks across wide-ranging activities of substantial depth involving significant detail.
The EL1 Lawyer (Legal Stream) is accountable under broad direction to undertake very complex work that delivers quality outcomes across the functions of the NDIA.
The position is an important team leadership position within the NDIA and will have delegated authority and responsibility to resolve issues and risks across wide-ranging activities of substantial depth involving significant detail. The role requires providing leadership, control, planning, resource management, performance management and decision making for the Team Membership, assigned Contractors working within the work area and for supporting legal aspects of administrative appeals cases in the ART.




The EL1 Lawyer (Legal Stream) is responsible for actively managing key internal and external stakeholder relationships and where required will represent and negotiate on behalf of the NDIA to advance the NDIA's interests across a range of forums.
Responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:
Providing high-quality legal advice, support and services to internal clients in the management and resolution of participant related reviews in the ART.
Conducting litigation in the ART on behalf of the CEO of the Agency, including:
o appearing in the ART, at case conferences, conciliations and directions hearings;
o providing legal advice;
o conducting relevant research;
o drafting submissions and other documents for the purposes of litigation;
o briefing counsel; and
o liaising with external legal services providers on outsourced matters, as applicable.
Establishing and maintaining excellent working relationships with clients and other stakeholders including people with disability and their representatives, courts and tribunals, other government agencies and legal professionals.
Managing the priorities of clients and available resources to deliver results on time and within budget.
Managing transactional work of a legal nature, including administrative processes incidental to the provision of associated legal services.
Advising on the operation of legislation, instruments, guidelines and policies in the context of ART matters.
Applying alternate dispute resolution methods and advocacy skills to resolving applications/reviews, in keeping with the model litigant principles.




Advising on drafting and assisting in preparation of legislative and other instruments, in the context of ART matters.
Working in a business partnering capacity with the Agency, regularly meeting with branches within a specified portfolio and identifying and advising on relevant legal and associated risks.
Supporting business partnering activities, including delivering capacity development and legal training on a particular area of law or specialisation.
Leading projects or assuming a 'champion' role to inform on precedents, protocols and intranet/internet content development.
Managing, supporting and contributing to business improvement activities, including legal education and the development of systems, processes and practical tools.
Eligibility
This position is within the
Legal stream
and
the officer must possess relevant academic qualifications having been admitted as a legal practitioner
, however described, of the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory; and hold, or be able to obtain, a practising certificate.
Getting to know the National Disability Insurance Agency
The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to recent skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life.
The NDIS also connects anyone with disability to services in their community. This includes connections to doctors, community groups, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools, as well as providing information about what support is provided by each state and territory government.
The NDIS now supports over 500,000 Australians with disability to access the services and supports they need. This includes supporting approximately 80,000 children with developmental delay, ensuring they receive supports early so that they achieve the best outcomes throughout their lives.

📌 El1 Lawyer - Dispute Resolution & Litigation (Warrnambool)
🏢 National Disability Insurance Agency
📍 Warrnambool