Lawyer

Job Description

About the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission) was formed on 1 January 2019. We work to improve the lives of older people by maintaining the integrity of the aged care system.

As the single independent regulator of Australian Government aged care services, we offer a variety of interesting and challenging jobs across most capital cities.

It is an exciting time to join the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, with major reforms underway to improve aged care in Australia. You will be contributing to our role as the national regulator to safeguard and protect older Australians receiving aged care services.

About the Team

The Legal Services Section provides legal services that are relevant to the Commissioner’s functions. These principally relate to the interpretation and application of the legislation that currently regulates aged care providers, including the Aged Care Act 1997 (the Aged Care Act) and the Commission Act. Relevantly, those areas of regulation include approving providers of aged care, complaints resolution, and aged care compliance and enforcement; with legal work in this area focused on supporting administrative decision-making (including through the provision of legal advice and reviewing regulatory notices, administrative decisions and other legal documents) and engaging with external legal providers. The Legal Services Section also provides advice on other matters relating to the work of the Commission, including procurement and employment matters.

A new Aged Care Act (Aged Care Act 2024) will commence from 1 July 2025 and replace existing legislation, including the Aged Care Act and the Commission Act. In anticipation of this, the Legal Services Section is also responsible for legal review of the drafting instructions for, and provisions of, the proposed subordinate legislation, providing legal input into the development of associated policies and guidance materials, and providing legal advice in relation to statutory interpretation and administrative law. Lawyers are expected to apply current legislation and assist with the development and implementation of the new law.

About the Role

As a Lawyer in the Legal Services Section you will, under supervision, provide legal advice and other legal services in relation to the performance of the Commissioner’s functions, including preparing legal advice, reviewing documents, and drafting legal instruments.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Arrange for the procurement of legal services from external legal providers in accordance with the Legal Services Directions 2017 and other requirements.
• In conjunction with external legal providers, manage the conduct of litigation and other formal dispute processes to which the Commission is a party.
• Prepare training materials and deliver training to other staff of the Commission, as required, to promote awareness of legal risks and improve the quality of administrative law decision-making.

Position Details

Salary offered will be between $92,970 – $102,587 per annum depending on skills and experience. In addition, 15.4% superannuation will be paid.

Roles are offered on an Ongoing/Non-Ongoing basis, with Non-Ongoing roles offered for an initial period of up to 12 months, with the possibility of one extension up to an additional 12 months.

Applications close on Sunday 23rd February 2025, 11:30PM AEDT

Applications are to be submitted via the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Careers page.