Principal Legal Policy Adviser

About us

The Department of Treasury and Finance provides economic, financial and resource management advice to help the Victorian Government deliver its policies. We strive for excellence in financial and economic management to improve the lives of all Victorians.

Industrial Relations Victoria

The Industrial Relations Victoria (IRV) division provides strategic industrial relations legislative, policy and technical advice to the Government and departments.

IRV develops and reviews regulatory frameworks to support a positive industrial relations environment and fair and productive workplaces, secure work and gender equity.

IRV also oversees industrial relations matters and enterprise bargaining policy and processes across the Victorian public sector. It works towards achieving a positive working environment for all Victorians through engagement with public and private sector employers, workers, and other stakeholders and representatives.

IRV consists of the Office of the Deputy Secretary, Private Sector group and the Public Sector group.

About the role

This position is responsible for providing strategic and expert advice on industrial relations policy issues and supporting the development of programs and initiatives to achieve the Government's industrial relations priorities.

Key accountabilities

• Lead and manage industrial relations legislation, policy, programs and initiatives to achieve the Government's priorities affecting the private sector, in particular to support the Apprenticeship and Traineeship reforms, and policy related to news ways of working and emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, reforms to Fair Work laws, secure work and protections.

• Provide high level legislative and legal policy advice to Ministers and senior DTF staff on industrial relations issues affecting the private sector.

• Prepare high quality ministerial briefs, written reports and correspondence on industrial relations matters.

• Develop and maintain networks and relationships with key external and Government stakeholders regarding industrial relations issues and regulation.

• Engage and manage external legal consultants or other specialists as required.

• Assist in representing the Department and the Victorian Government in meetings, conferences and seminars about specific industrial relations issues and initiatives.

• Participate in cross-functional projects in IRV and the Department to address specific issues or introduce reforms.

About you

The successful applicant will lead and provide strategic and expert legal policy advice on a broad range of industrial relations issues and reforms impacting the Victorian private sector workforce and legislative reforms to assist Victoria's participation in the national industrial relations system and state/federal relations. This may include provision of advice and support of major inquiries, reviews and related implementation, including supporting Government action and policy development, Apprenticeship and Traineeship reforms, and policy related to news ways of working and emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, reforms to Fair Work laws, secure work and protections.

The successful applicant will demonstrate experience and expertise in the provision of high-quality legal policy advice combined with a comprehensive knowledge of industrial relations matters and legislative processes; high level analytical and conceptual skills; a proactive, strategic approach, and excellent communication and writing skills.

Experience and qualifications

• Demonstrated relevant expertise in the provision of strategic and legal policy advice on complex and sensitive issues to senior stakeholders and an excellent understanding of government legal policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks, requirements and processes.

• Highly developed conceptual, analytical and written communication skills and a proven ability to provide pragmatic, concise, written and verbal policy advice based on comprehensive research.

• Proven ability to negotiate and influence others to achieve strategic objectives and high-level capability in building strong, productive relationships and to engage stakeholders.

• A willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities with the ability to meet deadlines while working in pressured situations.

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team environment, to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities with the ability to meet deadlines while working in a pressured situation, in an environment that is complex and ambiguous.

About our culture

We aim to be a model employer providing an inclusive workplace that is understanding and respectful of differences such as gender, identity, race, disability or age. In addition, we are committed to supporting Aboriginal pathways between education and employment.

The Department strives to create an environment that supports a flexible and adaptive workforce. All requests for flexible working arrangements will be considered in line with operational requirements.

Further Information

If you are a VPS employee and identified as the preferred candidate during the recruitment process, you will need to obtain approval from your manager and Executive Director to take up this role as a secondment.

For more information about the position and key selection criteria, please refer to the position description. If you have specific questions regarding the role, please contact Sharon De Silva on

How to apply

To apply, select the `Apply Now' button and provide a copy of your resume and cover letter summarising your skills and relevant experience.

Applications close at midnight on 26 October 2025. If you require a copy of this advertisement in an accessible format, please contact the Recruitment team.

Covid-19 Vaccination

DTF 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 DTF has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DTF employees be fully vaccinated.