Senior Lawyer, Regulatory And Complex Disputes Unit

About us
The Department of Education (the department) is responsible for delivering and regulating state-wide learning and development services to approximately one-third of all Victorians across the early childhood and school education sectors.
The department is also one of Victoria's biggest employers, with approximately 80,000 teaching staff and around 5,000 public service employees.
The Legal Division provides highly valued legal services to support the delivery of the department's strategic objectives, key reforms and to manage legal risk.
In doing so, Legal Division provides direct, practical and strategic legal advice to portfolio ministers, the secretary, other senior staff and over 1,600 government schools, supporting approximately over 650,000 Victorian Government school students.
About the role – Fixed term until 30 June 2027
An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced lawyer to further progress their legal career by working in an outstanding legal team, in the Regulatory and Complex Disputes (RCD) unit of the Department of Education's Legal Division.
The RCD unit manages complex disputes involving schools and provides advice on occupational health and safety matters, early childhood regulation, FOI and privacy disputes and coronial inquiries.
This role encompasses a wide range of matters including managing complex litigation, briefing external firms and at times directly briefing barristers.
The Senior Lawyer will work specifically on complex litigated cases involving applications to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal's (VCAT's) review juristiction, as well as Magistrates' Court and other litigation.
The Senior Lawyer will be responsible for specialist legal advice in the areas of expertise relevant to the RCD unit and Workplace and Education Law branch, and may be asked to provide a mentoring role to more junior lawyers.
Why join us?

Meaningful work that is varied, satisfying and rewarding – A career as a government lawyer provides opportunities that are unrivalled by the private sector.
Scale, impact and richness of work sets the public sector apart from almost every other employer.
To find out more about the wide range of opportunities for bright publicly minded lawyers visit Legal profession | vic.gov.au

Flexible and hybrid working arrangements — Part time, flexible start and finish times, work from home to help manage your work and personal commitments.

Competitive salary – Annual salary increases in line with the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement

Diversity and inclusion - As one of Victoria's largest employers, the department is committed to creating an organisation that is inclusive and ensuring it has a workforce that represents the community it serves.

Values – The department has adopted the public sector values which are set out in the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees, which are Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights.
The department's Values underpin how we interact with colleagues, students and families, members of the community, suppliers and government.

Employee assistance program — For emotional, mental and general psychological wellbeing and support

How to apply
Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter summarising their skills and experience (no more than two pages).
Please refer to the relevant position description attached.
Visit How to apply (careers.vic.gov.au) for guidelines and tips for applying for government positions.
Further Information
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.
Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.
For a confidential discussion, please contact Katherine Francis, Principal Lawyer and Manager, (03) 7022 0***, Regulatory and Complex Disputes unit.
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks.
Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.
Applications close 11:59pm on 28 August 2025.

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