Positions vacant

Positions vacant

Executive Contact Officer 1 - Attorney General's Department

Crown Counsel is an integral part of the Solicitor-General’s Chambers.  The Chambers consist of the Solicitor-General, Crown Counsel, a solicitor on secondment from the Solicitor for the Northern Territory (SFNT) and an executive assistant.  Crown Counsel is responsible for the provision of legal advice to the highest levels of the Northern Territory executive branch, including the Attorney-General, the Cabinet Office and Chief Executive Officers of the Agencies.

Crown Counsel is also required to advise and appear in proceedings where the legislative, executive or judicial powers of the Territory or the Commonwealth are in question, or where the interpretation of the Constitution is raised.

The key duties of the position include:

1. Provide high-level quality advice to:
   1. The Attorney-General’s Department and other government agencies and statutory officers; and
   2. SFNT, and independent statutory officers or their staff, on major, complex or sensitive matters within a broad range of law areas.
2. Appear as barrister on behalf of the Territory or its agencies in Territory courts, the Federal Court, the High Court and various tribunals.  The role requires Crown Counsel to appear as lead counsel and at times as junior counsel (usually to the Solicitor-General) instructed by SFNT or private law firms engaged by Government.
3. Assist the Solicitor-General as required in the provision of high-quality legal advice including to the Attorney‑General, Ministers and independent statutory officers.

Eligibility/Other requirements:

1. The right to practice as a legal practitioner in the Northern Territory.
2. Experience as a legal practitioner in the relevant fields of law, particularly constitutional law, statutory interpretation, public and administrative law and commercial law.
3. Experience in an advocacy role (as barrister or solicitor advocate) with skills of a high order.
4. Extensive knowledge of the constitutional arrangements pertaining to the Northern Territory, including the operation of the Constitution, the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 (Cth), and the Territory court system.
5. Extensive knowledge of, and experience with, the workings and processes of government, particularly State and Territory, but also at the federal and local government levels.
6. Demonstrated ability to prepare high quality written submissions and opinions.
7. Effectiveness in the negotiation of litigation settlements and other legal agreements.

Job level: Executive Contract Officer 1 – Fixed contract for 4 years
Location: Darwin
Salary: $226,322
To apply: https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=337788
Applications close: Thursday 19 February 2026

Legal and Senior Legal Officers - Dept of Defence

GC-DRL, within Defence Legal, provides strategic legal advice on all litigation and dispute resolution, on behalf of Defence. GC-DRL is an integrated team of APS lawyers, paralegals, contracted lawyers and administrative staff. The team works on a diverse range of matters, including significant litigation, and regularly engages with a variety of internal client areas, external stakeholders, other areas of Defence Legal, external legal advisers and counsel, while adhering to internal and Court-related deadlines.

Some of the main streams of work in GC-DRL are:

• Managing claims against the Commonwealth including inquests, contractual disputes, commercial claims, personal injury claims, work health and safety matters (including prosecutions), judicial review challenges, debt recovery actions and compensation claims.
• Responding to court orders such as subpoenas and summonses, legislative requests and police requests and search warrants and assisting with the protection of information.
• Managing common law compensation claims relating to alleged historic abuse.
• Managing historic contamination-related claims.

The key duties of the position include:

General Counsel - Dispute Resolution and Litigation Branch (GC-DRL) in Defence Legal is seeking appropriately qualified, dynamic and motivated APS 3, APS 4, APS 5, APS 6 and EL1 Legal Officers to join the Branch at its Campbell Park office in Canberra. As a Legal Officer you will work collaboratively to manage, assess and advise on a diverse range of litigation and disputes, including sensitive and complex matters. These claims often require management of financial and reputational risk as well as engagement with client groups and external stakeholders. Litigated claims will necessarily involve working closely with external legal service providers and counsel. 

Eligibility/Other requirements:

• Relevant experience managing litigation and dispute resolution matters (with a minimum of 1-3 years’ post-admission experience for APS 3–6 Legal Officers, and 4 years’ post-admission experience for EL1 Legal Officers).
• Ideally, a good knowledge of the Commonwealth legal environment.
• An ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing work priorities.
• An ability to adhere to deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Good client engagement and relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• You are a motivated self-starter.
• A collaborative, positive, team focused and collegiate outlook.

Job level: APS – EL1 (Legal 1)
Location: Campbell Park, ACT
Salary: $69,898 - $147,316  + 10% BDCP + up to 15.4% Superannuation
To apply:  Defence Careers - APS 3 - EL 1 (Legal 1) - Legal and Senior Legal Officers
Applications close: Saturday 31 January 2026

Deputy General Counsel Dispute Resolution and Litigation - Dept of Defence

GC-DRL, within Defence Legal, provides strategic legal advice on all litigation and dispute resolution, on behalf of Defence. GC-DRL is an integrated team of APS lawyers, paralegals, contracted lawyers and administrative staff. The team works on a diverse range of matters, including significant litigation, and regularly engages with a variety of internal client areas, external stakeholders, other areas of Defence Legal, external legal advisers and counsel, while adhering to internal and Court-related deadlines.

Some of the main streams of work in GC-DRL are:
 

• Managing claims against the Commonwealth including inquests, contractual disputes, commercial claims, personal injury claims, work health and safety matters (including prosecutions), judicial review challenges, debt recovery actions and compensation claims.
• Responding to court orders such as subpoenas and summonses, legislative requests and police requests and search warrants and assisting with the protection of information.
• Managing common law compensation claims relating to alleged historic abuse.
• Managing historic contamination-related claims.

The key duties of the position include:

Defence Legal is a national organisation, which provides legal advice and other legal support services to Defence. We draw upon the professional talent of our people to pursue excellence in support of Defence operations, command, management and administration. The role of an Executive Level 2 lawyer in Dispute Resolution and Litigation team has a broad application, encompassing litigated and non-litigated claims – across commercial and civil claims and judicial review, and support for external inquiries such as Work Health and Safety matters, Coronial inquiries, and other Commissions of inquiry. The role works closely with other areas in Defence Legal to facilitate the provision of legal advice affecting Defence operations and exercises.
 
To be successful, you will need:

• Experience in advising on handling a factually and legally complex litigation caseload;
• Experience in leading and managing staff in a high tempo operational environment;
• Experience in working with external legal service providers in managing and reviewing work; and
• Excellent communication, relationship management, client engagement and team building skills that are in accordance with the work level standards for an EL 2 Level Lawyer.

The role will also include managing, supervising and mentoring more junior team members. The role is also responsible for supporting the leadership of the Legal Division.

Eligibility/Other requirements:

• Excellent communication, relationship management and client engagement skills
• An ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing work priorities, to assign work and monitor progress.
• An ability to adhere to deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills.
• A collaborative, positive, team focused and collegiate outlook.

Job level: APS – EL2
Location: Campbell Park, ACT
Salary: $159,803 - $167,660  + 10% BDCP + up to 15.4% Superannuation
To apply:  Defence Careers - EL 2 - Deputy General Counsel Dispute Resolution and Litigation
Applications close: Saturday 31 January 2026

ACT Government Solicitor - Temporary Register

Roles: 
Solicitor (Government Solicitor 1) – New to practice PQE – Salary Range $89,677 to $131,720
Senior Solicitor (Government Solicitor 2) – 2+ years PQE - Salary range $137,799 - $164,314 
Principal Solicitor (Government Solicitor 3) – 5+ years PQE – Salary range $171,626 to $193,478

Are you interested in temporary employment with the ACT Government Solicitor (ACTGS) and broadening your government legal expertise?  If so, you are invited to submit your curriculum vitae for placement on the ACTGS’ Temporary Employment Register.

How to apply: If you are interested in being placed on the Temporary Employment Register, please email your curriculum vitae and completed Temporary Employment Register Form to ACTGSO@act.gov.au.

More information: available here.

Please contact ACTGSHR@act.gov.au if you have any questions.

Legal Officer - Dept of Defence

The Directorate of Intelligence Law (DIL) within Defence Legal delivers General Counsel services to the Defence Intelligence Group (DIG), in particular the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence and Defence Intelligence Organisations.

DIL staff are co-located with the DIG and Defence Legal, and facilitate the provision of legal advice on all areas of law affecting the Defence Intelligence Enterprise, in consultation with broader Defence Legal, other government agencies and external legal service providers.

The key duties of the position include:

• Assisting the Assistant Directors and Director to provide strong legal guidance in relation to broad range and often time-sensitive matters including the conduct of DIG activities.
• Supporting the Assistant Director’s and Director in the development of DIG policies and procedures and other material regarding the DIG.
• Engaging and collaborating with representatives from key internal and external stakeholder groups in an informed, professional and persuasive manner to build relationships and raise legal awareness while managing expectations and sensitivities.
• Assisting the Assistant Directors and Director in producing high-level briefs, responses to government and other reports on a broad range of new and emerging legal issues, as well as support legal policy submissions.
• Understudy training to DIG staff on a range of legal matters as needed.

 

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a Positive Vetting Security Clearance, and a Defence Intelligence Suitability Assessment as a condition of employment.

 

This position is part of the Legal 1 broadband (APS 3 to EL 1). Due to current work availability, engagement will be at the APS5 or APS6 classification. Successful candidates will be eligible to advance to higher classifications subject to meeting the broadband operating conditions.

 

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. 

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidates will be able to:

• Provide and draft legal guidance in relation to broad range of often time-sensitive matters.
• Work collaboratively in a small team.
• Have a strong understanding of the National Intelligence Community.
• Have an understanding of intelligence law and the development of intelligence law related policies and procedures.
• Collaboratively engage with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholder groups to build relationships and raise awareness while managing expectations and sensitivities. 

Location: Russell ACT
Salary: $86,887 - $108,734 (APS5-6 Legal 1) + BDCP + Super
To apply: For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASG/09984/25 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=4D41D8DA-6BA8-ECF3-3A49-EC928A123F36. 
Applications close: Sunday 8 February 2026

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