Legal Officer

The Cabinet Office

Legal Officer

You. At the centre of big ideas.

• Are you interested in working in a collaborative and dynamic team supporting senior lawyers with legal, legislative and policy advice? If so, this role is for you 
• We're looking for a legal practitioner to join the Legal Branch on an ongoing (permanent) basis 
• Ongoing Clerk Grade 7/8 ($113,574 - $125,720 per annum) role, based in Martin Place, Sydney. 

About the Role

Legal Branch includes an innovative and dynamic group of lawyers who provide timely, sensitive and professional advice to the Premier, Ministers and senior members of The Cabinet Office and the Premier's Department (the Departments) on a broad range of legal, legislative and policy issues. 

The roles will be in one of the Branch's teams that reflect the Departments' responsibilities and focuses on: 

• Elections, inquiries and constitutional law
• Information and privacy law
• Integrity, accountability and parliamentary matters
• Commercial, contracts and intellectual property law

As a Legal Officer, you will contribute to your team and the Branch by analysing diverse and complex legal and policy problems.  Your day-to-day work could include:

• Providing pragmatic legal advice to staff of the Departments on diverse areas of law 
• Reviewing or drafting various legal documents, including contracts 
• Contributing to whole of government policy development, including evaluating and advising on matters to be considered by the NSW Cabinet 
• Formulating, evaluating and responding to proposals for legislative reform 
• Delivering and managing legal projects on the Departments' priorities 

To learn more about the role please review the Role Description.

Key Requirements

• Legal Qualifications: You will hold legal qualifications and are admitted (or eligible for admission) as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of NSW and hold (or are eligible to hold) a practising certificate.
• Legal Expertise: You will have experience providing high-quality legal advice and drafting legal documents at least one of the following areas: public law (in particular, constitutional or administrative law), environmental law, commercial law, trade practices law and a strong generalist legal skillset.
• Legislative & Policy Insight: Experience in statutory interpretation and legislative drafting to support government priorities.
• Influence & Deliver Results: Ability to deliver clear, high-quality advice achieve work positive and mutually satisfactory quality outcomes.

We're also looking for

• Legislative Skills: Experience developing legislation, including experience instructing the Parliamentary Counsel
• Government and Parliamentary Knowledge: Understanding of government processes, Cabinet conventions, and the workings of the NSW Parliament, including experience preparing briefing materials for the Premier or Ministers for Parliamentary proceedings such as Question Time and Budget Estimates
• Litigation: Experience managing litigation involving government or large organisations, including briefing external counsel or the Crown Solicitor's Office
• Information Access and Privacy: Familiarity with the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) and privacy legislation.

We value diverse experiences. Even if you're not sure you meet all requirements, we encourage you to apply.

Why Join Us?

• Flexible Working: Broad range of flexible working arrangements
• Career Development: Ongoing learning through expert-led sessions, online training, and professional development opportunities
• Work-Life Balance: Flex time accrual for extra hours worked based on a 35-hour standard week
• Wellbeing Support: Access to employee assistance program, fitness passport program, and wellbeing initiatives
• Inclusive Culture: Staff-led networks including Aboriginal Staff Advisory Committee, Diversity & Inclusion Network, and Young Professionals Network.

Closing date: Friday, 14 November :59am)

Salary: Clerk Grade 7/8. Package includes base salary $113, $125,720.00 plus superannuation (12%) and leave loading.

Hiring Manager: Amy Gray, Principal Legal Officer on

About The Cabinet Office

Leading policy, strategy and integrity from the heart of government 

The Cabinet Office enables robust Cabinet decision-making by ensuring policies and proposals submitted for consideration are of the highest quality and in line with government priorities. Learn more about the department and a career at The Cabinet Office.

Our Commitment

We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans and other diverse communities.

The Cabinet Office acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and live. We pay respect to Ancestors and Elders past and present. We recognise and learn from the strengths of First Nations peoples of New South Wales and their continuing connection to, and unique cultural and spiritual relationship with, Country.

Additional Information

Reasonable Adjustments: The selection process will include assessment techniques to determine your suitability. You can request reasonable adjustments at any stage by indicating in pre-screening questions, contacting the Talent Team at , or reaching out to the hiring manager.

Talent Pool: A talent pool may be created from this recruitment process. If eligible, you may be contacted for ongoing and temporary opportunities in the same role or grade that become available over an 18-month period.