Team Leader/Senior Principal Lawyer

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time

LOCATION - ACT

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 08 ($127, $138, plus additional remuneration of $14,000 per annum 

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER

This advertisement is to fill current vacancies and create a merit list for future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies arising over the next 12 months.

The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.

Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia. 

We recognise your contribution to our workforce and offer generous remuneration and conditions including:

• Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down 
• 4 extra days of mandatory rest leave per year
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year
• Generous superannuation of 15.4%
• 18 weeks paid Parental Leave for Primary Caregiver (and 11 weeks for Secondary Caregiver) + additional unpaid leave entitlements for up until 24 months from the child's date of birth or placement
• Generous salaries and incremental salary progression governed by the AFP Enterprise Agreement 
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangement that provides work/life balance
• Health & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention
• Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities

Chief Counsel Portfolio

The AFP's Chief Counsel Portfolio (CCP) is a dynamic, professional, diverse and interesting legal practice, underpinned by our commitment to AFP values and desire to foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

The CCP is comprised of:

- The Chief Counsel Office;

- AFP Legal (which is AFP Legal Operations Team and AFP Legal Corporate Team); and

- Criminal Assets Litigation (CAL) (which is CAL North Team and CAL South Team).

The portfolio is geographically dispersed across six capital cities. The Portfolio is managed by the Chief Counsel and each legal team is managed by a General Counsel.

AFP Legal Corporate

The AFP Legal Corporate team is responsible for the provision of legal advice and litigation services that directly support the operational law enforcement activities of the AFP.

AFP Legal provides high quality, cost effective in-house professional legal services in administrative, operational, commercial and employment law to the AFP.

Applications are sought from suitably qualified applicants wishing to be considered for the role of Legal Team Leader - AFP Legal Corporate – Employment and Dispute Resolution Law Team.

As a Team Leader you also play a pivotal role in developing people, managing change and influencing behaviours that lead to a supportive culture that respects the perspectives, talents and value of each individual. Consistent with the AFP values, AFP leadership philosophy, organisational reform agendas, AFP corporate business plans and your Performance Development Agreement, the expectation is that you will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below.

The role of Legal Team Leader in AFP Legal requires strong management and leadership skills. Coupled with this, the role requires substantial technical expertise, including the ability to provide timely, well-written and accurate legal advice across employment and litigation matters including the management of claims, civil litigation, coronial inquests and industrial disputes against the AFP and providing advice on all aspects of employment law and industrial relations including enterprise agreements, entitlements, disciplinary matters and termination of employment.

The Legal Team Leader Corporate – Employment and Dispute Resolution is expected to: 

• Supervise a diverse team (including geographically diverse teams where appropriate) including lawyers with different levels of experience;
• Manage the team's workflow and priorities to align with Chief Counsel Portfolio (CCP), AFP Legal and AFP priorities;
• Conduct, and/or manage/supervise complex matters with minimal supervision;
• Represent the AFP in high level discussions and negotiations with external stakeholders;
• Actively progress legislative, governance and policy development;
• Actively contribute to, encourage and influence the team's contribution to, knowledge and information management initiatives; and
• Collaborate with Coordinators, General Counsels and Chief Counsel to achieve CCP objectives and support the broader organisation strategic direction.

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• All applicants must hold a current practising certificate.
• Demonstrated experience in employment law.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team.

The following skills and/or experience would be highly regarded:

• Minimum AFP Band level 7 (equivalent to APS EL1).
• Minimum of 5 years post admission experience

• This role is located in Canberra and applicants are expected to be based in Canberra. Interstate applicants must be willing to relocate at their own cost.

• Achieve results
• Communicates with influence
• Contributes to strategic thinking
• Cultivates productive working relationships
• Shows personal drive and integrity
• Technical knowledge and skills

Please submit the following documents via our Jobs portal prior to the closing date and time:

• Resume/CV - This will form the basis for determining your suitability against the position requirements and give the panel a clear outline of your current knowledge and qualifications along with previous experiences. Please include your work history, responsibilities and achievements.
• Applicant pitch (maximum two pages). Ensure your pitch tells us why you are the best fit for the role, with examples that demonstrate your capabilities addressing the selection criteria, role requirements and work level standards for the role.

Only complete applications will be considered. Please review and ensure the uploaded documents are correct for this application after submitting your application.

Should you successfully progress from the application stage all applicants must:

• Complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) and provide a traffic history check and proof of Australian citizenship. This aids in the assessment of your character and your ability to comply with the AFP's professional standards both in an official and private capacity. Please review our AFP Character Standards to ensure that you meet our requirements before you submit your application. Applicants will not receive feedback if they are unsuccessful at this gateway.
• Have your fingerprints taken if an offer of employment is made.
• Undertake mandatory drug testing for illicit drugs. This sample could include; urine, saliva or hair.
• Satisfactorily undertake a security clearance to the level specified for the position.

Applicants who have demonstrated their suitability for employment through their resume and application, may be asked to complete additional assessments or activities to determine suitability for the role. This may also include a formal interview. Using the relevant AFP work level standards as a guide, you may be asked a range of questions to demonstrate your skills and abilities. These could include behavioural based scenario questions. Read our guides for applicants to find out how to prepare for your interview.

A written scenario question may be used at interview as part of the assessment of applicants.

At the AFP we value the different perspectives, approaches and lived experiences of our people, and recognise that our collective intelligence and diversity is what makes us stronger. As such, we encourage applications from people from all walks of life, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations people, women, the LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.

Contact Officer:  Patrick Myrtle,

Contact Officer Phone:   , ​

Contact Officer Email:  

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 20/10/2025

To view our other employment opportunities, please visit our career site.