Government Lawyer, Legal, Risk and Governance Branch

Australian Electoral Commission – Brisbane QLD

The Legal, Risk and Governance Branch provides legal advice to support the integrity of Commonwealth electoral systems and processes, as well as advice on corporate matters across the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). The branch plays an active role in building capability across the AEC through training, guidance and legal support.

The branch is headed by the Chief Legal Officer and comprises three legal teams, Corporate Law, Electoral Law and Regulatory Law, as well as the Corporate Governance Section. Branch members are predominantly located in Canberra and Brisbane. Applicants from other capital cities will be considered on a case-based basis, depending on their skills and experience.

The Corporate Law team provides advice on matters affecting the day-to-day operation of the AEC, including privacy, information law, commercial law and employment law. The team supports the AEC's ICT modernisation project, the funding and disclosure reform program, and a range of procurements that support elections, referendums and ongoing business operations. It also advises on and represents the AEC in employment law matters, including matters before the Fair Work Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Electoral law

The Electoral Law team provides legal advice on the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984, industrial elections, fee-for-service elections and ballots, and matters relating to the Torres Strait Regional Authority. The team advises on statutory interpretation and administrative law matters, supports legislative development processes,



and assists the AEC to make robust and legally sound administrative decisions.

Regulatory law

The Regulatory Law team provides advice on regulatory provisions in electoral legislation, including civil penalty and criminal provisions under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 and other relevant legislation. The team advises on and manages litigation relating to the administration and enforcement of electoral legislation, including authorisation requirements for electoral communications, funding and disclosure obligations, non-voter and multi-voter provisions, anti-avoidance requirements, and other electoral offences. The team also appears in court proceedings relating to non-voter prosecutions.

Legal, Risk and Governance Branch

The Legal, Risk and Governance Branch provides legal advice to support the integrity of Commonwealth electoral systems and processes, as well as advice on corporate matters across the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). The branch plays an active role in building capability across the AEC through training, guidance and legal support.

The branch is headed by the Chief Legal Officer and comprises three legal teams, Corporate Law, Electoral Law and Regulatory Law, as well as the Corporate Governance Section. Branch members are predominantly located in Canberra and Brisbane.



Applicants from other capital cities will be considered on a case-based basis, depending on their skills and experience.

Corporate law

The Corporate Law team provides advice on matters affecting the day-to-day operation of the AEC, including privacy, information law, commercial law and employment law. The team supports the AEC's ICT modernisation project, the funding and disclosure reform program, and a range of procurements that support elections, referendums and ongoing business operations. It also advises on and represents the AEC in employment law matters, including matters before the Fair Work Commission and the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Electoral law

The Electoral Law team provides legal advice on the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984, industrial elections, fee-for-service elections and ballots, and matters relating to the Torres Strait Regional Authority. The team advises on statutory interpretation and administrative law matters, supports legislative development processes, and assists the AEC to make robust and legally sound administrative decisions.

Regulatory law

The Regulatory Law team provides advice on regulatory provisions in electoral legislation, including civil penalty and criminal provisions under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 and other relevant legislation. The team advises on and manages litigation relating to the administration and enforcement of electoral legislation, including authorisation requirements for electoral communications, funding and disclosure obligations, non-voter and multi-voter provisions, anti-avoidance req

📌 Government Lawyer, Legal, Risk and Governance Branch (Australia)
🏢 Australian Electoral Commission
📍 Australia