The key duties of the position include:

We are seeking enthusiastic and experienced Senior Legal Counsels to join our Legal and Policy team.

As a Senior Legal Counsel in the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), you will be part of a small team in a fast-paced environment, where you will exercise sound professional judgment to manage legal and strategic risks. You’ll research, analyse and provide timely high-quality legal advice on a range of areas of law in a regulatory context, including charity law, administrative law and privacy law. You may also be required to manage litigation and to develop and deliver training to staff on their legal responsibilities.

You will provide legal advice to staff throughout the ACNC on matters such as:

- assessing whether an organisation is entitled to registration as a charity or a subtype of charity
- decisions to revoke registration or exercise enforcement powers
- privacy law and Freedom of Information
- guidance and education materials published by the ACNC
- drafting and reviewing Commissioner’s Interpretation Statements and Decision Impact Statements
- evaluating the impact of proposed legislative changes
- interpreting provisions of the ACNC Act, the Charities Act and regulations made under them.

The Australian community requires the highest integrity of ACNC staff. Our ideal candidate also acts with integrity, makes ethical decisions and embodies our cultural traits and APS values.

We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse people and people with disability or neurodivergence to apply.

Our ideal candidate

- shows excellent judgement and communicates with clarity,



credibility and influence
- confidently instructs solicitors or counsel in legal proceedings
- demonstrates strategic leadership by considering the broader ramifications of their work and evaluating the risks of alternatives
- is a team player who builds capability, mentors and supports less experienced colleagues
- manages completing priorities in a complex and changing workplace, while maintaining collaborative stakeholder relationships
- must have a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Law, with at least 3 years post admission experience, and holds or is eligible to hold a practising certificate in Australia with no supervision requirement.

Experience in charity law or FOI and privacy law will be highly regarded but not essential.

We encourage government lawyers, lawyers who have advised charities in-house and in private practice, and lawyers that have volunteered with charities and served on charity boards to apply.

Getting to know the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)

We determine whether an organisation meets the legal definition of charity and we work to ensure charities understand and meet their obligations by providing guidance and support. Located in Melbourne CBD, we are proud to have a diverse workforce that understands our vision and purpose and is made up of people who are committed to achieving our Corporate Priorities. We work hard to attract and retain talented staff. We promote a people centred culture that models our values and understands our vision and purpose. You may be required to undergo integrity checks during the course of your engagement with the ACNC. Find out more information about us on our website https://www.acnc.gov.au/about.

📌 Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Senior Legal Counsel (Melbourne)
🏢 Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
📍 Melbourne