The Role The EL 1 Senior Legal Officer is responsible for the delivery of high-quality legal services across a diverse and complex portfolio. The role involves providing expert guidance on administrative decision-making, statutory powers and governance. You will lead and manage the effective delivery of legal services across a high-volume workload that includes complex and often sensitive matters.

Key responsibilities include

- Providing legal advice and guidance on administrative decision making and the exercise of statutory powers.
- Managing and overseeing complex legal matters, ensuring timely, legally sound and risk-informed outcomes.
- Leading and mentoring legal teams, fostering professional growth and maintaining high standards.
- Developing and reviewing legal policy, guidance materials and governance frameworks to support organisational decision-making.
- Engaging with senior executives and stakeholders to provide strategic advice on legal, policy and operational issues.
- Identifying, assessing and managing legal risk, including emerging issues with potential organisational impacts.

Defence roles cover a diverse range of workplace setting requirements. These may include physical tasks or working in conditions that are not typical of an office environment. Candidates should consider these requirements when assessing their suitability for the role. For more information, please contact the nominated contact officer.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.

About our Team





Defence Legal Assistance (DLA) provides independent legal assistance to eligible ADF members across a broad range of legal matters. The team comprises legal officers and support staff located across Australia, delivering timely, professional and client-focused legal services in a high-volume operational environment.

The team manages a significant national caseload, supports members through often complex and sensitive circumstances, and works closely with Defence stakeholders to ensure legal assistance services remain accessible, effective and responsive. Through the delivery of high-quality legal advice and assistance, the team contributes to Defence's commitment to supporting its people, maintaining trust in Defence processes, and promoting fair and lawful decision-making.

Our Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

- Extensive experience providing legal advice on administrative law and decision-making processes.
- Strong leadership capability, including experience managing teams and supervising legal practitioners.
- Proven ability to manage high-volume and complex legal work while maintaining quality and meeting competing deadlines.
- Strong policy development and advisory skills.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing abilities.
- Sound judgement, strategic thinking and a commitment to delivering practical, client-focused legal services.

Security Clearance:

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

Mandatory Qualifications:

Tertiary qualifications in Law and admission as a practitioner in the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory. Hold or be able to hold and maintain a practicing certificate in the ACT jurisdiction. A minimum of 3 years' post-admission experience as a legal practitioner, in-house counsel or equivalent legal role.

📌 Senior Legal Officer (Fyshwick)
🏢 Department Of Defence
📍 Fyshwick