Senior Legal Adviser

About us

The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.

About the role

The purpose of the 12-month role is to manage complex and sensitive litigation and provide authoritative and timely advice on complex and sensitive public law issues. Most litigation matters involve representation of the Secretary of DGS in WWC Check and NDIS Worker Screening matters. Other areas of litigation the role will manage includes births, deaths and marriages, local government, freedom of information and other general litigation matters.

The position provides expert legal advice in relation to legislation that DGS administers including the Worker Screening Act 2020, the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1996, the Local Government Act 2020 and others. The position operates within a particularly sensitive political and community perceptions environment.

Key Accountabilities include

• Works independently on highly complex cases and sensitive public law and disputes matters relating to DGS, including merits review matters at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and appeals to the Supreme Court of Victoria. This will include some appearance work.
• Prepares and instructs counsel in complex and/or sensitive matters.
• Provides authoritative written and oral legal advice. Initiates research and analysis to provide advice on complex or cross discipline matters.
• Develops high-level briefs, advices and other written documents on complex issues that provide options for discussion and consideration.

About you

To be considered for the role, you must be able to demonstrate:

• Public law experience: Experience analysing issues and providing clear and comprehensive legal advice in relation to public law matters such as administrative law, authorisations and delegations, constitutional law, human rights and equal opportunity, freedom of information, public inquiries or statutory interpretation.
• Litigation experience: Experience managing complex litigation, including developing strategies for managing complex legal proceedings and managing key stakeholder interests.

Mandatory requirements

• You must be admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer and eligible to hold a Victorian practising certificate.

For specific responsibilities please review the attached position description.

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

How to apply

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on Sunday, 23 November 2025. All applications should include:

• a resume; and
• a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages)

Other relevant information

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DGS has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DGS employees be fully vaccinated.

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check.

DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.