Senior Legal Officer

Senior Legal Officer vacancies within the Department, including: Planning and Development Law; Government Law.

The Department is looking to fill Senior Legal Officer roles to provide expert legal advice and support across a range of areas to help achieve the department's strategic goals, including increasing housing supply and robust infrastructure planning.

We offer a Parramatta location with flexible working supported (other NSW locations negotiable) and a salary relative to experience, ranging from $138,539 to $148,283 + super.

What's in it for me? Join our team for a fantastic culture with dynamic collaboration and genuine long-term career support. We offer flexibility in work arrangements, diverse and fulfilling assignments, and prioritise work/life balance and wellbeing with initiatives like flex leave and support programs. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected and empowered to succeed.

• Provide expert legal advice and support across planning and development law, environmental law (including biodiversity conservation), local government law, privacy (GIPA), and related areas.
• Advise the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, the Minister for Local Government, the Planning Secretary, senior executives, and department staff, as well as external stakeholders and panels, to manage legal risks and support legislative reform.
• Tackle complex legal challenges in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and contribute to the department's strategic goals, including increasing housing supply and infrastructure planning.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and enjoys tackling complex legal challenges while making a meaningful impact across NSW.

• A minimum of 3 years post-admission experience.
• Strong advice writing, legal research and statutory interpretation skills, with the ability to manage complex legal matters.
• Experience drafting and reviewing agreements and deeds, statutory instruments, and briefing materials for senior stakeholders and government processes.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality legal services under pressure and within tight timeframes.
• Proven ability to manage own matters and collaborate with internal teams, external agencies, and legal representatives to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ability to conduct information sessions, training, and briefing materials for clients and staff to transfer specialist knowledge and skills.
• Commitment to ethical practice, professional standards, and continuous learning in a dynamic legal and policy environment.

• Admitted or eligible for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister in the Supreme Court of NSW; NSW Practising Certificate (current or eligible).
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: planning law (including Environmental Planning & Assessment Act); water, energy and environmental law; administrative law or policy development and statutory interpretation; property, native title or crown lands law; contract and commercial law; local government law; or compliance, regulatory law, prosecutions and general litigation.

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) improves NSW liveability and prosperity by creating vibrant spaces and precincts, managing lands and assets, delivering housing, and building a high-performing public service that values diversity and inclusion.

DPHI supports flexible working, job sharing, and workplace adjustments, and is an inclusive and accessible workplace that values individual contributions.

Applications close 11:55 PM on Monday 22 September 2025. A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing/temporary opportunities of the same role over the next 18 months. Please note eligibility: Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, or valid Australian working visa for the duration of the appointment.

For further information about the role, contact Davida Liang at davida.liang@planning.nsw.gov.au. We encourage applications from people with disability and offer accommodations during the recruitment process. Refer to Aboriginal applicants guidance and pathways teams for support.

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide for applying or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.