Principal Legal Officer

Join Ministry of Health's Legal Branch for an exciting full time employment opportunity and be part of the team enriching health in millions of ways every day.

About us

We are a dynamic team of lawyers who are engaged in a broad range of legal matters. If you are looking for variety, complexity and purposeful work, then this role could be for you.

• Our core values of collaboration, openness, respect, and empowerment are more than just words – they're the guiding principles that shape every aspect of our work.
• Committed to fostering diverse and inclusive workplace for all.

To learn more about the Ministry and what benefits we offer, access our Employee Benefits Handbook.

About this role

With your skills and experience, you can contribute to the millions of ways we're enhancing health and wellness while developing your career as part of the largest health organisation in Australia.

We are a small, specialist legal team forming part of the Legal and Regulatory Services Branch that includes units responsible for corporate governance, privacy, regulation of medicines and private hospitals. The legal team works as corporate counsel to the Ministry, as well as advising health service providers and hospitals across the broader public health system.

Legal Officer Grade 6, starting salary from $165,865 - $169,359 plus Super and annual leave loading, with a 35-hour work week.

For more information, please read the full Role Description.

What you'll be doing

You will be working in a fast-paced environment dealing with a diverse range of legal issues.

The Legal structure has 3 teams reporting through a Director to the General Counsel for NSW Health. The role sits in the Professional Capability and Legal Operations Team. The team's work includes general legal issues such as contracts and procurement and legal questions arising from the day to day operation of a large public health system, as well as focusing on specialist health law and emerging medico-legal issues and liability questions.

The operations team is also responsible for improving health system legal services and capability, training needs, and oversight of legal service panels. Senior lawyers in the team need excellent written and verbal communication and good time management skills, as well as a demonstrated capacity to proactively manage emerging issues, provide strategic legal advice on solutions and support to junior legal officers in the team.

About you

We are seeking motivated and committed individuals who can support the work of NSW Health with:

• The ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
• A growth mindset, and commitment to continuous learning and personal development.
• The ability to work in a small dynamic team environment.
• Proficiency in working to tight deadlines and managing a high volume of work.

How to apply

At The Ministry of Health, we want you to make the most of the opportunities you'll get to grow your skills and your career, surrounded by authentic, smart people and leaders.

Please review the role description and submit your up-to-date resume (up to 5 pages) and cover letter (1-2 pages) AND demonstrate your ability by attaching a response to the two target questions below.

Target Questions (1-2 pages)

• Provide an example of a situation when you lead a project which required negotiating with others in your organisation to solve a problem. How did you add "weight" to your solution? Who did you consult to inform your approach?
• Describe a situation in your experience where you needed to decide on a course of action when there was a degree of uncertainty in the options available? What approach did you take to bring the matter to a resolution? What were the challenges?

Use the link below to access our Capability Application tool, designed to help you excel in the recruitment process. Practice your responses with the example questions provided to effectively highlight your achievements and the strategies you used to accomplish them.

Capability application tool | NSW Public Service Commission

For role related queries or questions contact Deanne Tadros, Director Capability and Legal Operations on or and quote REQ

If you do require any adjustments to the recruitment process during the recruitment process, please contact Frankie De Luca on

Closing Date: 11:59pm, Monday 25 August 2025

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

At the Ministry of Health, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and flexible environment which reflects the community and customers we serve. We actively promote the employment of women, people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and would like assistance with your application or to obtain more information on how to apply, please visit The Stepping Up Initiative.

To be eligible for employment in these roles you must be an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen, or hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia.

Additional information

• This recruitment may be used to create a Talent Pool for similar future roles (ongoing or temporary) that may arise over the next 18 months. 2.
• For more information on applying visit the Ministry of Health Career portal
• Please note the selection process will include a range of comparative assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role.

Don't miss your chance to embark on this fulfilling journey Apply now

Applications Close: 11:59pm, Monday 25 August 2025