About us

At CQHHS, we deliver public healthcare across regional, rural and remote communities. With over 4,500 staff, we are committed to improving the health of Central Queenslanders and delivering safe, high-quality care.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of decision-making within a large and complex health service, contributing to outcomes that directly impact patient care, workforce management and organisational governance.

The Opportunity

This is not a traditional legal role.

Reporting to the Director, Office of the Chief Executive, you will provide senior, trusted legal advice directly to the Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team and clinical leaders across CQHHS.

You will work on complex and high-impact matters spanning:

Clinical and medico-legal health law

Governance and statutory decision-making

Employment and workforce matters

Information law and privacy

Litigation and coronial matters.

Why this role is different

Work at executive level

Engage directly with senior decision-makers, including the Chief Executive and Board, on significant organisational issues.

Be part of a broader legal network

While you will be an independent advisor to CQHHS, you will be part of a broader network of legal teams across the State. To embed these networks and provide support you will have access to other Legal Teams, providing:

Professional support and peer collaboration

Access to specialist expertise

Opportunities to work across complex and novel issues

Breadth and impact

This role offers exposure to a wide range of legal issues rarely seen in a single position, with direct impact on patient safety, workforce outcomes and organisational performance.

Key Responsibilities

You will

Provide expert legal advice across clinical, governance, employment and information law matters

Support coronial matters, clinical review processes and complex ethical issues

Advise on workforce and employment matters under relevant legislation





Manage litigation and represent CQHHS where required

Build strong relationships across clinical, corporate and executive teams

Contribute to organisational decision-making and risk management

About you

You are

A highly capable lawyer with strong judgement and the ability to provide transparent, practical and timely advice

Comfortable operating in a complex, high-pressure environment

Able to engage effectively with senior stakeholders and clinicians

Solutions-focused, with a strong sense of accountability and professionalism

Interested in work that has real impact beyond legal technicality

Mandatory Requirements A degree in law and admission to practice as a Legal Practitioner in Queensland.

Four or more years' post admission experience (or agreed equivalent) gained within a similar field, quality corporate and/or government environment is highly desirable.

What we offer

Total remuneration value of up to $193,277 p.a. is comprised of:

An hourly rate between $80.74 - $85.43 p.h.

12.75% employer superannuation contribution

17.5% leave loading

Additional Benefits

Ongoing Professional Development and Education Opportunities

Flexible Work-Life Balance and Variety

Generous Salary Sacrificing Options

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) requirements:

It is a condition of employment for this role for the employee to be, and remain, vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases as listed on the Role Description.

How to apply

To apply, please submit the following:

Your current CV or resume, including referees.

A cover letter (1-2 pages) addressing how your experience, skills and values align with the key responsibilities and expectations outlined in the Role Description.

Any additional forms / evidence as attached or listed on the Role Description.

For assistance

Contact [email protected]

Quote the Job Ad Reference (JAR) RK6I691921

Applications close: Thursday, 1 October 2026

#rockhampton This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License.

📌 Principal Lawyer (Rockhampton)
🏢 Queensland Government
📍 Rockhampton