Senior Lawyer – Employment

Application ends: February 16, 2025
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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. 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, and legal support relating to, other matters relating to the work of the Commission, including workplace law.

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. The successful individual will be expected to assist their colleagues in the Legal Services Section with the implementation of the new law, while continuing to support the Commission’s People and Culture Team with workplace law matters.

About the Role

As a Senior Lawyer (Employment) you will be expected to assist your colleagues in the Legal Services Section with the implementation of the new law, while continuing to support the Commission’s People and Culture Team with workplace law matters.  The focus of your work will be primarily on workplace law matters, although there is also capacity to engage on administrative law and other matters, under the supervision of Principal Lawyers in the Legal Services Section.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Under limited supervision, provide legal advice and other legal services of a more complex nature in relation to:
  1. workplace law (including providing advice on the Fair Work Act 2009 and Work Health and Safety Act 2011, providing support in workplace investigations, and drafting or reviewing workplace policies and procedures).
  2. the performance of the Commissioner’s functions, including by preparing legal advice, drafting legal instruments and engaging in statutory interpretation.
  • 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 workplace matters and the conduct of litigation and other formal dispute processes to which the Commission is a party.
  • Assist Legal 2 lawyers (Chief Legal Officer and Principal Lawyers) in providing leadership, training and support to other staff in the Legal Services Section.
  • Prepare training materials and deliver training to other staff of the Commission, as required, to promote awareness of the workplace laws that govern the Commission and legal risks.

Position Details

Salary offered will be between $119,219 -$141,377 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 16Th February 2025 at 11.30pm (AEDT).

Applications are to be submitted via https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/careers-commission