Positions vacant

Positions vacant

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.

Internal positions vacant

Scholarship opportunities