Position Overview

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced lawyer to work directly with the most senior leaders of one of Australia's largest and most complex federal courts.

As Senior Legal

Counsel, Workplace and Integrity, you will advise on high-impact legal, governance and risk matters that shape the operation of a national institution. Working closely with the Executive Director, Legal and Integrity, you will provide strategic legal advice across workplace relations, employment law, work health and safety, integrity matters, investigations, complaints handling, litigation management and broader governance issues. The role involves managing legally complex and often highly sensitive matters requiring sound judgment, discretion and strategic thinking.

You will work closely with senior executives, judicial officers and external legal advisers to deliver practical solutions that support the Court's operations and statutory responsibilities. This is an opportunity to undertake meaningful and challenging work at the intersection of law, governance, public administration and organisational leadership.

Selection

Criteria The successful applicant will demonstrate:

Experience providing strategic legal advice on complex, sensitive or high-risk matters.

Strong legal analysis, judgment and problem-solving capability.

The ability to manage sensitive information with professionalism, discretion and integrity.

Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to prepare concise and persuasive advice for senior decision-makers.

Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills.

Robust organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.

A commitment to public service values, professional excellence and ethical decision-making. Mandatory or desirable qualifications Applicants must:

Hold tertiary qualifications in Law.

Be admitted, or eligible for admission, as a legal practitioner of the High Court of Australia and/or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory.





Have a minimum of three years' post-admission experience as a legal practitioner, in-house counsel or equivalent legal role. Highly desirable:

Experience in workplace relations, employment law or industrial relations.

Experience advising public sector agencies, courts, tribunals or government entities.

Experience managing investigations, complaints or integrity matters.

Experience advising on work health and safety matters.

Why Join

Us?

This role offers the opportunity to:

Work with the Chief Justice, CEO/PR and Executive Management.

Influence the management and governance of a national federal court.

Advise on significant legal, workplace and integrity matters.

Undertake diverse and intellectually challenging work.

Collaborate with experienced legal and executive leaders.

Contribute to an organisation that delivers an essential public service to the Australian community. Salary

$124,390 - $150,041 per annum, plus 15.4% superannuation. Applications close on Monday 17 August 2026, at 11:30pm (AEST). Eligibility

Employment with the Court is subject to the conditions prescribed in the Public Service Act 1999, and the following:

Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship.

Security and character clearance – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment.

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency are welcome to apply but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired.

Artificial

Intelligence (AI) in recruitment





Candidates may use AI tools to assist with their participation in this recruitment process unless otherwise advised. Where AI tools are used, candidates are responsible for ensuring that all information submitted is transparent, accurate, and genuinely reflects their own skills, capabilities, and experience. For more information, see: Principles for candidate use of AI in Recruitment RecruitAbility

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job.

For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability Diversity and Inclusion

Federal Court Australia is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcomes and encourages applications from People with Disability.

First

Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, mature age workers, as well as young workers and supporting an inter-generational workforce and supporting gender equity and families.

Federal Court

Australia will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates to participate equitably in the recruitment process and discuss workplace adjustments to fulfil the inherent requirements of the role.

Contact

Officer For more information please contact Siobhan Flores-Walsh, A/g Executive Director, Legal & Integrity on [email protected] How to apply To apply, please complete the application form on the Court’s careers portal.

As part of your application, you will be required to submit a written response to the selection criteria listed in the position description (maximum two pages). Please ensure this document is attached before submitting your application. If you have any issues with applying, please email [email protected] Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

📌 Senior Legal Counsel - Workplace and Integrity (Sydney)
🏢 Federal Circuit And Family Court Of Australia
📍 Sydney