Principal Government Lawyer / Deputy General Counsel

Job Description

The Legal Services Division (the division) provides strategic legal advice and assistance to the agency’s executive and the Minister. The division is responsible for the delivery of legal services within and on behalf of the agency.

As well as Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support programs, Services Australia (the agency) provides services for almost every Commonwealth department and agency and administers both myGov and the Digital ID exchange, making the work diverse, complex and exciting.

We are a large in-house Commonwealth legal practice. We are pleased to offer our lawyers mobility across the division, with a chance to broaden their legal skills and experience or the opportunity to be specialists in their chosen field.

The agency is at the forefront of modern service delivery, harnessing technology to provide our customers with simple, helpful and accurate services. Our lawyers provide legal advice on the use and risks of complex technologies, including artificial intelligence, across social security, child support and health care legislative regimes as well as for the myGov platform and the Digital ID exchange.

Principal Government Lawyers undertake core legal functions including providing complex legal advice, preparing briefings and litigation files, advocacy work and projects. Lawyers at all levels actively engage with our business partners, external policy departments and legal officers external to the agency across the Commonwealth in private practice and at the bar.

Principal Government Lawyers manage legal matters associated with:

• agency programs
• administrative law
• criminal law
• evidence law
• freedom of information
• privacy and secrecy
• practice and procedure
• employment
• industrial relations
• procurement and contracts

Principal Government Lawyers work with minimal supervision and are often required to provide on-the-job support to junior lawyers. The division is inclusive. We offer flexible working arrangements in a range of geographical locations. We recognise the importance of well-being and a healthy work / life balance.

Qualifications:

• Mandatory qualifications: A law degree (or equivalent) from an Australian University or an equivalent and appropriately recognised overseas qualification.
• Professional registration: Admitted (or ability to obtain and maintain a practicing certificate) to practice law.