Full time

Annual salary

AUD 100,000 – AUD 125,000

The Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria (VPRBV) is an independent statutory authority. Our role is to protect the public and promote animal health and welfare by regulating veterinary practitioners in Victoria. We register veterinary practitioners and oversee skilled standards of conduct and practice. This includes managing complaints and investigating concerns about practitioner conduct.

The Investigations Team plays a key role in delivering the VPRBV's investigative and enforcement functions.

We are looking for a Regulatory Investigations Lawyer to join our Investigations Team in a full-time position.

This is a unique opportunity for a lawyer to apply their legal, investigative and analytical skills in a specialised regulatory environment. The role will be responsible for undertaking and managing regulatory investigations, providing legal and regulatory advice, analysing evidence, preparing recommendations for regulatory decision-making and supporting formal proceedings.

The role will work closely with the Board, management and the Investigations Team to ensure complaints and regulatory matters are managed fairly, efficiently and in accordance with the Veterinary Practice Act 1997 (Vic) and principles of administrative law.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

1. Undertaking and managing regulatory investigations, including identifying issues, determining information and evidence required, obtaining and assessing evidence and identifying appropriate lines of inquiry.
2. Providing legal and regulatory advice to the Board, management and staff on matters arising throughout the complaints, investigation and compliance processes, including the application of legislation, administrative law (including FOI matters) and procedural fairness.
3. Analysing and assessing evidence from a range of sources and preparing clear, impartial and evidence-based recommendations to assist the Board in making regulatory decisions.
4.



Drafting high-quality legal and regulatory documents, including investigation reports, outcome correspondence, briefing papers, allegations and particulars, reasons for decision, findings, determinations and other documents arising from investigations and regulatory proceedings.
5. Supporting the Board and staff in interpreting and applying the Veterinary Practice Act 1997 (Vic), relevant regulatory requirements and administrative law principles.
6. Supporting the preparation and conduct of formal and informal hearings, including preparing hearing materials, evidence and submissions and liaising with Boardpanel members, practitioners, legal representatives, witnesses and other relevant parties.
7. Communicating effectively with complainants, practitioners, legal representatives and other stakeholders, including explaining complex legal and regulatory matters clearly and professionally.
8. Contributing to the continuous improvement of regulatory investigation, compliance and enforcement processes, including identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency and regulatory practice.

Knowledge and experience The successful applicant will have:

- Been admitted as an Australian lawyer, be eligible to hold an Australian practising certificate in Victoria, and have demonstrated experience in administrative law, regulatory investigations, litigation or a related legal environment.
- Experience interpreting and applying legislation and administrative law principles in a regulatory or statutory environment.
- Experience conducting investigations and analysing evidence,



including identifying relevant issues, assessing the sufficiency and reliability of evidence and reaching sound conclusions.
- Experience preparing high-quality legal and regulatory documents, preferably including investigation reports, allegations and particulars, reasons for decision or similar decision-making documents.
- An understanding of procedural fairness and sound administrative decision-making.
- Experience working with or advising a regulator, statutory authority or government body would be highly regarded.

Essential skills

- Highly developed analytical, investigative and critical-thinking skills.
- Excellent legal research and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, concise and legally sound documents.
- Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal and regulatory issues in plain language.
- Sound professional judgment and the ability to provide clear, evidence-based advice and recommendations.
- Strong planning, organisation and case-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
- High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Australian citizenship or permanent residency is required for this position Applicants must be eligible to obtain a baseline security clearance and be willing to undergo police checks and other pre-employment screening requirements. Shortlisted candidates may also be required to participate in a psychometric assessment as part of the recruitment process.

If you would like to discuss the role further or get a copy of the position description please call or email Alex Fitzpatrick, Manager Investigations on (phone hidden) or at [email protected]. Send applications with a short cover letter to Alex Fitzpatrick.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: Sunday 4th October 2026

📌 Regulatory Investigation Lawyer (Melbourne)
🏢 Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria
📍 Melbourne