Lead with purpose. Make decisions that protect Queensland's children and vulnerable people.

Are you an experienced legal or regulatory professional with a passion for leadership, sound decision-making, and public service? Do you thrive in complex assessment environments where your expertise can make a real difference?

Blue Card Services is seeking a highly capable Principal Legal / Assessment Officer to lead a team responsible for assessing eligibility and risk matters under Queensland's worker screening framework. This is a unique chance to combine your legal knowledge, leadership capability and commitment to public safety in a role that directly contributes to protecting children and vulnerable people across Queensland.

About The Role

As the Principal Legal / Assessment Officer, you will provide operational leadership to a team of professional assessment officers while delivering expert legal, policy and procedural advice on matters arising under the Working with Children Check Act 2000.

You will oversee complex assessments, guide critical decision-making, and ensure recommendations are evidence-based, legally defensible and consistent with the principles of natural justice. Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, you will play a key role in maintaining the integrity, consistency and effectiveness of Queensland's blue card screening system.

Key Responsibilities In this role, you will:

- Lead, supervise and mentor a team of assessment professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Review assessments and recommendations to ensure compliance with legislation, policy, delegated authority and natural justice principles.
- Provide expert legal, procedural and strategic advice on complex eligibility and regulatory matters.
- Allocate, monitor and manage workloads to ensure timely and high-quality outcomes.




- Support and coach assessment officers, helping them navigate complex legislative and evidentiary issues.
- Manage escalated enquiries and sensitive stakeholder interactions with professionalism and sound judgement.
- Prepare and review correspondence relating to blue card assessments and regulatory decisions.
- Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and service delivery practices.
- Promote staff wellbeing, professional development and a positive, inclusive workplace culture.

About You You are an accomplished leader with robust legal, regulatory or assessment experience and a demonstrated ability to manage complex decision-making processes.

You Will Bring

- Experience leading, coaching and developing high-performing teams.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex legal or technical information, including police and criminal history information.
- Sound judgement and the ability to make balanced, evidence-based decisions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- A commitment to integrity, fairness and protecting the interests of children and vulnerable people.
- The ability to build effective working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

What Success Looks Like The successful candidate will:

- Deliver consistent, legally sound and high-quality assessment outcomes.
- Support and develop employees to achieve individual and team goals.
- Drive operational excellence while maintaining a strong focus on risk management and public safety.
- Champion a culture of respect, inclusion, ethical conduct and continuous improvement.

Why Join Us? This is more than a leadership role. It is an chance to contribute to a service that helps safeguard Queensland communities every day. Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Occupational group Justice & Legal

📌 Principal Legal Officer (Brisbane)
🏢 Queensland Government
📍 Brisbane