Professional Service Review (PSR) is an Agency within the Health, Disability and Ageing portfolio whose work protects the integrity of the Medicare, child dental benefits and the pharmaceutical benefits programs (PBS). PSR is established under Part VAA of the Health Insurance Act 1973, which sets out the role and powers of the Agency, as well as the process that it must follow when conducting its work.

The General Counsel reports to the Director of PSR and is responsible for leading the Case Management Unit. The Case Management Unit supports the Director, Associate Directors, Committees and the Determining Authority (DA) to manage and progress cases which have been referred to PSR within the key performance indicator targets and statutory timeframes.

The General Counsel is expected to work collaboratively with the General Manager, who is responsible for leading the Corporate Support Unit. The Corporate Support Unit supports all aspects of corporate functions including executive and secretariat support, communications, parliamentary, ICT, finance, human resources, procurement, property and security.

The General Counsel is PSR's chief legal advisor and a member of the Executive Management Team (EMT), providing strategic legal advice to PSR decision makers including the Director, Associate Directors and Panel members and to executive leadership. The role supports effective decision-making, ensures legal and regulatory risks are appropriately managed, and represents the agency in key stakeholder engagements.

The General Counsel leads and manages PSR's legal function, building organisational legal capability and providing expert advice on the PSR Scheme and broader legal matters affecting the agency. Operating with a high degree of professional independence, the role contributes to agency-wide leadership and strategic direction.

The General Counsel leads the Case Management Unit, ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services and case management outcomes. This includes setting priorities, managing resources, developing team capability and fostering continuous improvement to support the agency's objectives.

The role provides leadership consistent with APS Values and the Code of Conduct, promotes a safe and inclusive workplace, and supports staff development and wellbeing.

As an Officer under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, the General Counsel has a personal duty to exercise due diligence in relation to work health and safety.



This requires the proactive oversight of WHS governance, risk management and assurance arrangements, ensuring that adequate resources, systems and controls are in place to support a safe and healthy workplace and that the organisation meets its legislative WHS obligations.

The General Counsel's duties include:

- leading and developing a high-performing team of legal and non-legal staff, fostering capability, professionalism and ethical conduct, promoting staff learning by fostering a culture of continual improvement and building organisational legal capability through coaching and guidance
- leading and managing the Case Management Unit, establishing strategic priorities of the team, and taking responsibility for implementing workplans consistent with agency objectives
- contributing as a key member of the EMT shaping strategic direction and organisational planning and performance
- providing strategic and high level advice to PSR Scheme decision makers, the Director in their capacity as the Accountable Authority of the agency and the EMT on PSR's statutory, corporate and operational responsibilities including on matters arising under the Health Insurance Act 1973 and complex and high-risk matters
- overseeing the progression of PSR's case work and providing support to the legal officers to assist them to be able to advise PSR decision makers and draft and settle reports within the key performance indicator targets and statutory timeframes
- overseeing the agency's legal advice, input to legislation, litigation, disputes, investigations and freedom of information and privacy matters including identifying and managing areas of high legal and regulatory risk for the agency and oversight of external legal providers to support effective delivery of legal services
- contributing to the development of continuous improvement of governance instruments, frameworks and internal policies including as a conflict of interest declarations officer
- responsibly exercising delegated functions and powers and duties including in relation to human resources,



finances and entering into contracts and agreements under which Commonwealth funds may become payable
- representing PSR at various forums as required including stakeholder forums, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing forums, and at Senate Estimates
- contributing to the broader leadership cohort within the Australian Government Legal Service consistent with the General Counsel Charter
- participating in PSR's quarterly Audit and Risk Committee meetings
- contributing to decisions made by the EMT.

This vacancy is open to Australian citizens only and you must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance.

To apply

Please read through the Candidate Information Kit, available at https://beaumontandbeaumont.com.au/11788 for detailed information about this vacancy, key responsibilities and the expectations of the role.

Submit your application to https://beaumontandbeaumont.com.au/11788 by the closing time and date advised in the Candidate Information Kit.

Your application must include

a 750 word (maximum) pitch telling us how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications make you the best person for the job and to perform at the relevant classification level your resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV), with a maximum of 3 pages A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created from this process and will be active for 18 months after the date of this gazettal.

For more information about this role, including the expectations of the role, key responsibilities and how to apply, please review the Candidate Information Kit available at https://beaumontandbeaumont.com.au/11788

What we offer you

You will have access to:

- negotiable salary entry points
- attractive 15.4% superannuation
- free car parking at Brindabella Business Park
- versatile working conditions
- salary sacrificing options including superannuation
- professional learning and development opportunities
- family friendly and work life balance provisions
- support for diversity, good health and wellbeing
- breastfeeding friendly workplace accreditation
- an engaged social club that facilitates activities to celebrate our people and build connections.

Our office is located at Brindabella Business Park, ACT, located 10 minutes from the CBD. Brindabella Park hosts a dedicated gymnasium, sports facilities, cafe and restaurant dining, conference facilities, a childcare centre and provides a calendar of social events

📌 General Counsel (Australia)
🏢 Professional Services Review
📍 Australia