As a Principal Government Lawyer at the Department of Education, you will have the opportunity to work at the centre of some of Australia's most significant education policies, programs and reforms. This is more than a traditional legal role. It is an prospect to influence the development and delivery of major government policies, navigate novel and complex legal challenges, and help the department achieve its goals in a rapidly changing environment. You will bring strong technical expertise, sound judgement, a collaborative leadership style and a practical, solutions-focused approach to helping clients achieve outcomes.

The department's legal practice comprises a number of teams that provide legal services to specific business groups across the department, as well as specialist legal teams that deliver expertise in key legal disciplines. This structure provides lawyers with the opportunity to build strong partnerships with clients, develop a deep understanding of the department's work, and engage in a diverse and intellectually stimulating range of legal matters. Our lawyers regularly work across teams and subject areas, fostering professional growth, collaboration and the sharing of expertise.

We are also exploring filling a Special Counsel position. This is a senior Principal Government Lawyer who works flexibly across the Division with additional responsibilities to provide support including potentially in legislative development and in management of complex or significant legal issues with a high degree of autonomy.

The legal practice operates as an integrated and flexible workforce. You are invited to express interest in leading any one or more of the above teams or the Special Counsel role and offers for successful candidates will take into account their experience, preferences and strengths, as well as the operational needs of the department.

An attractive remuneration package is available, commensurate with the successful candidate's skills and experience, and consistent with departmental policies.

The key duties of the position include:

In this role, you will be responsible for leading and managing one of the department's legal teams and ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services. You will be expected to exercise a high degree of professional judgement, demonstrate sound decision-making, and work with an appropriate level of autonomy.

Your responsibilities will include the following:

- Leading and managing a legal team to deliver timely, accurate, clear and risk-based legal services.
- Developing and maintaining effective and collaborative relationships with colleagues across the legal practice and the department, as well as with external stakeholders.
- Contributing as a member of the legal leadership team by promoting the strategic direction and values of the department and the APS, supporting effective practice management, and fostering capability development and a positive team culture.

In the Special Counsel role, you will report directly to the General Counsel and the responsibilities will be as set out above except for the requirement to lead and manage a specific team.

Eligibility

Qualifications and Education

To be eligible for this position applicants must have:

- A degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution, or a comparable overseas qualification
- Admission as a legal practitioner in an Australian Court, and
- Eligibility to hold a restricted Government practising certificate.

Eligibility

Employment at the Department of Education is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

- Citizenship: Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency delegate has agreed, in writing.
- Security Clearance: This is a designated security assessed position.



The successful candidate will have the ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance.

Getting to know the Department of Education

The Department of Education contributes to Australia's economic prosperity and social wellbeing by creating opportunities and driving better outcomes through access to quality education and learning. A strong early childhood education system built around early learning and child care gives children the best start in life—supporting them to build social and behavioural skills to help prepare them to transition to school. For parents and carers, affordable child care enables them to participate in the workforce, pursue further education or other opportunities to contribute to their community — bolstering the social wellbeing and economic prosperity of the nation. As children continue their journey through school, access to quality education creates the foundation for a bright future – it opens a world of possibilities and equips children and young people with the skills, knowledge, and career advice to prepare them for further work or study to fulfil their dreams. An affordable, and accessible higher education sector allows Australians and international students to pursue their passion in life or reskill for the jobs of the future. A strong higher education and research sector in step with national priority areas provides people with an opportunity to choose a career path that addresses skill shortages or the challenges of the future including, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, health, and education. Through education and learning, we change lives, create opportunities, and support Australia's economic success and social wellbeing.

As a Principal Government Lawyer at the Department of Education, you will have the opportunity to work at the centre of some of Australia's most significant education policies, programs and reforms. This is more than a traditional legal role. It is an opportunity to influence the development and delivery of major government policies, navigate novel and complex legal challenges, and help the department achieve its goals in a rapidly changing environment. You will bring strong technical expertise, sound judgement, a collaborative leadership style and a practical, solutions-focused approach to helping clients achieve outcomes.

The department's legal practice comprises a number of teams that provide legal services to specific business groups across the department, as well as specialist legal teams that deliver expertise in key legal disciplines. This structure provides lawyers with the opportunity to build strong partnerships with clients, develop a deep understanding of the department's work, and engage in a diverse and intellectually stimulating range of legal matters. Our lawyers regularly work across teams and subject areas, fostering professional growth, collaboration and the sharing of expertise.

We are also exploring filling a Special Counsel position. This is a senior Principal Government Lawyer who works flexibly across the Division with additional responsibilities to provide support including potentially in legislative development and in management of complex or significant legal issues with a high degree of autonomy.

The legal practice operates as an integrated and flexible workforce.



You are invited to express interest in leading any one or more of the above teams or the Special Counsel role and offers for successful candidates will take into account their experience, preferences and strengths, as well as the operational needs of the department.

An attractive remuneration package is available, commensurate with the successful candidate's skills and experience, and consistent with departmental policies.

The key duties of the position include:

In this role, you will be responsible for leading and managing one of the department's legal teams and ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services. You will be expected to exercise a high degree of professional judgement, demonstrate sound decision-making, and work with an appropriate level of autonomy.

Your responsibilities will include the following:

- Leading and managing a legal team to deliver timely, accurate, clear and risk-based legal services.
- Developing and maintaining effective and collaborative relationships with colleagues across the legal practice and the department, as well as with external stakeholders.
- Contributing as a member of the legal leadership team by promoting the strategic direction and values of the department and the APS, supporting effective practice management, and fostering capability development and a positive team culture.

In the Special Counsel role, you will report directly to the General Counsel and the responsibilities will be as set out above except for the requirement to lead and manage a specific team.

Eligibility

Qualifications and Education

To be eligible for this position applicants must have:

- A degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution, or a comparable overseas qualification
- Admission as a legal practitioner in an Australian Court, and
- Eligibility to hold a restricted Government practising certificate.

Eligibility

Employment at the Department of Education is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

- Citizenship: Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency delegate has agreed, in writing.
- Security Clearance: This is a designated security assessed position. The successful candidate will have the ability to obtain and maintain the required security clearance.

Getting to know the Department of Education

The Department of Education contributes to Australia's economic prosperity and social wellbeing by creating opportunities and driving better outcomes through access to quality education and learning. A strong early childhood education system built around early learning and child care gives children the best start in life—supporting them to build social and behavioural skills to help prepare them to transition to school. For parents and carers, affordable child care enables them to participate in the workforce, pursue further education or other opportunities to contribute to their community — bolstering the social wellbeing and economic prosperity of the nation. As children continue their journey through school, access to quality education creates the foundation for a bright future – it opens a world of possibilities and equips children and young people with the skills, knowledge, and career advice to prepare them for further work or study to fulfil their dreams. An affordable, and accessible higher education sector allows Australians and international students to pursue their passion in life or reskill for the jobs of the future. A strong higher education and research sector in step with national priority areas provides people with an opportunity to choose a career path that addresses skill shortages or the challenges of the future including, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, health, and education. Through education and learning, we change lives, create opportunities, and support Australia's economic success and social wellbeing.

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📌 Principal Government Lawyer (Canberra)
🏢 Department Of Education
📍 Canberra