The opportunity we have available The Commercial Law team, which is part of the Legal and Integrity Division of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (department), is seeking an experienced EL1 lawyer with 4+ years post qualification experience to join our dynamic growing legal team and talented commercial lawyers. With strong technical legal abilities and commercial acumen, our ideal candidate will have excellent written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills and an enquiring mindset to enable and deliver the commercial aspects of the division’s legal services.

The successful candidate will report to a Principal Lawyer (EL2) and collaborate with other lawyers within the team to deliver key outcomes and be part of a high performing legal team managing a diverse portfolio of matters that are crucial to the wellbeing of every Australian and the prosperity of the nation. This is an opportunity to advance your career and/or gain experience working in the Australian Public Service, working with high profile stakeholders.

The Commercial Law team provides a broad range of legal services to the department (including to support the delivery, operation and administration of major projects such as Western Sydney International Airport, National Intermodal Freight Terminals, 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, Strategic Fleet Pilot Program, Regional Express Airlines and WestConnex).

Particular areas of focus for the team, include:

- Major infrastructure projects, including airports, roads and freight terminals;
- Regional development initiatives and grants;
- Support for the administration of offshore non-self-governing Australian territories;
- Communications services;
- Broader corporate and procurement services for the department; and
- Transport matters, including aviation, maritime, shipping, rail and road transport.

We are also adaptable in terms of allowing home-based work for part of the week subject to operational needs and upon discussion with the Principal Lawyer.

What you will do

Under the general direction of a Principal Lawyer or General Counsel, you will be responsible for:

- carriage of, and providing strategic and high-quality legal advice on, major infrastructure projects and other commercial law matters to enable the department to assess legal risks and make sound decisions;
- drafting, reviewing and negotiating key transaction documents and contracts;
- developing and maintaining the department’s commercial law templates and precedents;
- partnering with internal and external stakeholders to inform, design and deliver effective and efficient legal solutions that meet the department’s requirements;
- peer reviewing and second counselling colleagues legal work and mentoring and guiding more junior members of the Commercial Law team;




- overseeing the efficient and value for money delivery of external legal service providers in accordance with the Legal Services Directions and other Commonwealth requirements;
- contributing to organisational level continuous improvement and skills/capacity building initiatives, including by delivering internal training to the department on commercial law related issues from time to time; and
- actively contributing to the division’s positive work environment and culture.

Inherent requirements for the role The inherent requirements for this role include:

- The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the Executive Level 1 Work level standards: APS Level and Executive Level classifications | Australian Public Service Commission
- 4+ years post qualification legal experience advising on commercial legal matters gained in a law firm, in an in-house environment or in another Government agency;
- effective people management and leadership skills;
- ability to effectively prioritise, manage and progress legal matters in a complex environment;
- excellent communication skills, both written and oral; and
- meeting the Eligibility Requirements specified below.

Our ideal candidate must

- have the interpersonal skills and the ability to develop strong working relationships with clients, colleagues and stakeholders (of all levels) (be flexible, resilient and a strong team player with a positive and collaborative working style);
- be able to work independently and with a geographically dispersed team, and be able to triage, manage and prioritise workflow;
- have excellent technical legal skills, including:
- 4+ years post qualification legal practice experience gained in a law firm, in-house environment or in government advising on, drafting, reviewing and/or negotiating a range of complex commercial arrangements;
- appreciate (or have the ability to quickly acquire an appreciation of) the policy and legislative frameworks governing the Commonwealth’s commercial arrangements; and
- the ability to provide timely, strategic and high-quality legal advice that enables the department to assess risk and make sound decisions;
- demonstrate initiative and be able to drive and own client-focused outcomes,



proactively manage legal matters and possess strong problem solving and influencing skills – be able to clearly and persuasively communicate complex legal concepts in plain English both verbally and in writing; and
- strive to continuously improve and develop (including by responding to constructive feedback);
- have integrity and be committed to practising in accordance with the Statement of Expectations for Government Lawyers.

Desirable requirements

While not essential, our ideal candidate may also have some experience in one or more of the following:

- resolving disputes, including using alternate dispute resolution, and in the development and implementation of strategies to resolve disputes; and/or
- real property and land transactions; and/or
- intellectual property and ICT expertise/experience.

Cultural capability requirement The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.

As an EL1 you will be expected to:

- Lead the integration of cultural considerations into work area outcomes.
- Build trusted relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.
- Champion cultural capability within teams and challenges culturally unsafe practices.

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

- Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
- Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
- Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
- Police check: The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
- Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

📌 Assistant Director, Senior Lawyer, Commercial Law - 48113 (Canberra)
🏢 Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts
📍 Canberra