To obtain a copy of the Candidate Information Kit for this vacancy, please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to the left of this advertisement.

The key duties of the position include:

The Prospect

The Office of Constitutional Law (OCL) provides policy advice to the Attorney-General on constitutional law matters and assists Commonwealth agencies to identify and manage constitutional law and related public law issues.

OCL is responsible for safeguarding the Commonwealth's constitutional policy interests and is the policy area that instructs the Australian Government Solicitor in Commonwealth constitutional litigation.

The Principal Legal Officer, Constitutional Policy Section, leads that section, one of two in OCL.

The Constitutional Policy Section's responsibilities include:

- supervising constitutional litigation, including providing advice on intervention by the Attorney-General in legal proceedings under the Judiciary Act 1903
- reviewing and commenting on Cabinet submissions
- advising on tied work questions under the Legal Services Directions 2025
- scrutinising Bills when consulted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel
- involvement in establishing co-operative federal schemes, including state referrals of power
- administering the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987.

How you can help us make a difference

We are seeking applicants with the following key attributes:

- experience or a demonstrated interest in constitutional law
- strong legal skills and attention to detail
- ability to contribute to the leadership of OCL, including supporting staff development




- able to find workable solutions to problems
- can clearly communicate complex issues
- can manage competing deadlines and urgent requests
- works collaboratively as part of a small team, and
- exercises sound judgement in escalating issues for SES consideration.

Applicants must have a legal qualification.

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment at the Attorney-General’s Department applicants must be Australian citizens.

Applicants offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a police record check and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at a specified clearance level. The successful applicant must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information.

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

Notes

A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created from this process, and will be active for 18 months after the date of this gazettal.

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process or require any adjustments, please speak contact HR Assist at *********@ag.gov.au or 02 6141 6*** (option 2).

The department is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment.



We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion and sexual orientation to apply and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can contact us to discuss options for working from Country. First Nations people can contact us to discuss options for working from Country.

Getting to know the Attorney-General's Department

The Attorney-General's Department delivers programs and policies to maintain and improve Australia's law and justice framework, and to facilitate jobs growth through policies that promote fair, productive, flexible and safe workplaces. Through the Australian Government Solicitor, we also provide legal services to the Commonwealth, including legal advice and representation. Our department is the central policy and coordinating element of the Attorney-General's portfolio.

Our department is structured into four groups:

- Australian Government Solicitor
- Justice and Communities
- Integrity and Security
- Enabling Services.

The department operates in a diverse and complex environment to address challenging issues. We have a highly-skilled and engaged workforce involved in policy development and implementation and program administration. The department also has a large number of practicing lawyers, mainly within the Australian Government Solicitor Group within the department.

📌 Principal Legal Officer (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Attorney-General'S Department
📍 Canberra