International Officer – Legal

Full-time Position

Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)

Melbourne, VIC

Are you passionate about international solidarity, workers' rights, and legal and policy advocacy? Join the peak body of the Australian union movement and help strengthen the capacity of unions across the Asia-Pacific region.

The ACTU is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the rich cultural and social diversity of our community. We strongly encourage applications from women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people of colour, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

About Us

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) represents almost 2 million workers and their families. Since 1927, we have led some of the most significant workplace struggles in Australia's history. The ACTU's role as a peak body is to encourage workers to join their union, be a national voice for our movement, and advance and defend workers' rights through coordinated campaigns, representation at various forums, and providing industrial, policy, and other support to our affiliates.

The Role

As the International Officer – Legal & Policy, you will play a key role in the ACTU's international solidarity work, supporting and building the capacity of unions in the Asia-Pacific region. You will provide legal and policy assistance, support law reform and strategic litigation, and defend human and trade union rights through mechanisms such as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and trade agreements.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing legal and industrial advice to support unions in the Asia-Pacific.
• Supporting law reform, strategic litigation, and defending human and trade union rights in the region.
• Contributing to ACTU's policy work on international trade union development and rights issues.
• Representing the ACTU at international forums, meetings, conferences, and seminars.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential:

• At least five years' post-admission legal experience or equivalent in similar roles.
• Comprehensive knowledge of contemporary industrial relations issues.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal industrial legislation and related laws.
• Experience in advocacy and negotiation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, submissions, and deliver presentations/training.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in international settings and respect cultural and social diversity.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work both autonomously and as part of a team.
• Commitment to trade union values and social justice.

Additional weighting will be given to candidates with experience working with or from communities in the Asia-Pacific.

Desirable:

• Experience appearing before courts and tribunals and providing workplace advice/support.
• Experience in the Australian or international trade union movement.
• Knowledge of economic and labour market concepts.
• Understanding of industrial relations issues in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Knowledge of International Labour Standards and ILO supervisory mechanisms.
• Expertise in trade, investment, governance, and related industrial relations issues (e.g., WHS, anti-discrimination law, superannuation, corporations law).

Benefits

The ACTU offers a competitive salary range up to $142,677, depending on skills and experience, along with:

• Additional 15% superannuation
• Annual leave loading
• Working from home opportunities
• Generous leave arrangements, including up to 5 additional days of annual leave
• The opportunity to work a rostered day off arrangement

How to Apply

Please provide a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and your suitability for the role, along with your CV, to Ben Moxham, Director Industrial & Policy at

Applications without a cover letter addressing the selection criteria will not be considered.

Closing Date:

Applications close on Friday 17 October (COB)

Australian Council of Trade Unions

Job posted on: October 3, 2025

Applications close: Friday 17th October

Salary: The ACTU offers a competitive salary range up to $142,677, depending on skills and experience + +