- Perth and Melbourne
- $160,695 - $199,265 per annum (base salary) plus 15.4% employer superannuation contribution

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) has an exciting opportunity for an experienced government or regulatory lawyer to work in the Legal and Governance Directorate as a Senior Legal Counsel in our Melbourne or Perth office.

NOPSEMA is Australia's independent expert regulator for health and safety, structural integrity, well integrity and environmental management for all offshore energy operations and greenhouse gas storage activities in Commonwealth waters, and in coastal waters where regulatory powers and functions have been conferred.

NOPSEMA also administers the functions of the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator (OIR), for the offshore renewables industry. This includes the regulation of work health and safety, infrastructure integrity, and environmental management for offshore renewable energy infrastructure activities.

Working with NOPSEMA provides an opportunity to make a real difference to people working in Australia’s offshore energy industry.

Role:

Reporting to the Executive Director / General Counsel, the Senior Legal Counsel plays a pivotal role in supporting the executive and business areas of NOPSEMA through the provision of legal services, focused on the interpretation, application and enforcement of offshore petroleum, environmental and safety laws.

Key Responsibilities:

The work of the Directorate is broad, challenging and stimulating. As a Senior Legal Counsel, you will provide legal expertise on complex matters regarding:

• Exercise of regulatory powers.




• Decisions and decision-making processes.
• Investigations and prosecutions.
• Enforcement powers.
• Commercial and Contract matters.
• Privacy law and Freedom of Information matters.
• Employment law.
• Governance and integrity matters.
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution (Federal Court and Fair Work Commission).
• Policy and Legislative Review.

We would like to hear from you if you have:

Demonstrated experience working as a senior lawyer in a public sector, regulatory and/or offshore energy or renewables setting.

Demonstrated experience or an ability to develop an understanding of public administrative law principles.

A minimum of 7 years post admission experience.

Are a team player but can work independently and with flexibility.

Why work for NOPSEMA?

As a highly skilled, agile, and competent regulator, our people are our number one asset. NOPSEMA offers competitive remuneration packages, five weeks annual leave, 18 personal leave days per annum, 18 weeks paid parental leave, 15.4% superannuation contribution and flexible working arrangements.

Guided by our values of professionalism, ethics, independence,



leadership and collegiality the decisions we make and the actions we take affect individuals, businesses, communities and the environment. Our people can make a difference. Grow your career in the offshore energy sector. Be a part of Australia’s future and apply today.

NOPSEMA is committed to a fair, flexible, safe and rewarding workplace which allows for diversity amongst all its employees. Applicants who are First Nations people, come from a diverse cultural or linguistic background or have a disability are encouraged to apply.

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 a disability and meet the minimum requirements for the position. For more information see https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

If you are an experienced senior legal counsel, apply now and take the next step in your career with this exciting opportunity.

Please note that the closing date for this position is 19 August 2026.

Applications must be submitted by the closing date. Any applications received beyond the closing date will not be considered.

If you have any questions in relation to the advertised position, please contact Oliver Young, Executive Director/General Counsel on (08) 6188 8***.

Please note this recruitment process will be valid for a period of 18 months and may be used to fill ongoing and non-ongoing positions within the Australian Public Service at this level or similar that arise over the 18-month period.

Position Description Opens in new window

📌 Senior Legal Counsel (Melbourne)
🏢 NOPSEMA
📍 Melbourne