Principal Lawyer Legislation

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Job description:

About Us

The Department of Transport and Planning oversees key planning, transport and land use policy decisions across the State. A life-cycle approach to planning, building, connecting and sustaining communities means our people can come together to; improve services, deliver sustainable projects, focus on customer engagement, streamline regulatory approval pathways, facilitate community consultation and better realise local economic opportunities for more liveable communities across Victoria.

We create thriving places and connected communities. We bring together transport, planning, land use, precinct and policy functions in a single department to deliver the best outcomes for Victorians. Together with our portfolio agencies, we are responsible for planning, building, operating and maintaining Victoria's transport, planning and land services for use by all. We foster a safe, inclusive and constructive place to work.

About the Division

DTP Legal is a Group within the Department of Transport and Planning, and is responsible for providing legal, legislative, commercial and policy advice and support to the Secretary and Department in the achievement of the transport system vision, objectives and decision-making principles and in the management of Victoria's planning and building system, including through delivery of the recently announced Victorian Housing Statement.

The Principal Lawyer role sits within the Legislation Branch, which provides high-quality legislative and legal advice across the Department of Transport and Planning. The Branch plays a key role in shaping the Department's legislative program and is responsible for delivering a wide range of Bills, regulations, and statutory instruments across the transport, planning, building, and housing portfolios. In addition to legislative development, the Branch supports the Department with expert legal services, with a strong focus on administrative and public law matters for a diverse client base, including regional staff, policy officers, and administrative decision-makers

About the Role

This is a fixed term VPS 6 role until October 2027

The Principal Lawyer role sits within the Legislation Branch, which provides high-quality legislative and legal advice across the Department of Transport and Planning. The Branch plays a key role in shaping the Department's legislative program and is responsible for delivering a wide range of Bills, regulations, and statutory instruments across the transport, planning, building, and housing portfolios. In addition to legislative development, the Branch supports the Department with expert legal services, with a strong focus on administrative and public law matters for a diverse client base, including regional staff, policy officers, and administrative decision-makers.

As Principal Lawyer, you will provide authoritative advice on complex and sensitive legal, legislative, and policy matters aligned with Government and Department objectives. You will lead significant legislative reform projects, oversee the drafting and review of complex statutory instruments and Cabinet submissions, and manage negotiations to finalise these documents. The role also requires identifying emerging issues with implications for the Department and the State, engaging stakeholders effectively, and supporting DTP Legal executives. This is a high-impact leadership position suited to someone with deep expertise in statutory interpretation, legislative development, and public law, and who is motivated to influence outcomes across Victoria's transport and planning portfolios.

To provide greater insight into the role the position description can be foundhere.

Qualifications and role specific requirements

• Admitted, or eligible to be admitted to practice as a lawyer in Victoria. (Mandatory)
• Extensive experience as a government lawyer working in a legislative or policy setting preferred (Desirable).

Pre-employment checks and employment conditions

All new appointments to the department will be subject to a National Criminal Records Check, Misconduct Screening, and a Qualification Check where there is a requirement for a mandatory qualification. Information provided to the Department of Transport and Planning will be treated in the strictest confidence consistent with the requirements of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.

Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.

Non-VPS applicants will be subject to a probation period of six months.

How to apply

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Applications close at 11.59pm on 15th October 2025. For further information about the role please contact Jenny Gabriele, Chief Legislation Officer via