Principal Lawyer – Legal Advice Team

0 days left

Principal Lawyer – Legal Advice Team

0 days left

Job role insights

  • Date posted

    October 14, 2026

  • Closing date

    26 October 2026

  • Location

    Sydney

  • Salary

    $152,276 - $178,127 /year

Description

Position Overview: Principal Lawyer – Legal Advice Team

The Fair Work Ombudsman is recruiting for the position of Principal Lawyer – Legal Advice Team (Executive Level 2). This role offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute directly to the Australian Public Service (APS) within a dynamic, high-impact public sector portfolio.

Department / Agency
Fair Work Ombudsman
APS Classification
Executive Level 2
Remuneration
$152,276 – $178,127 AUD / year
Location
Brisbane QLD, Melbourne VIC, Sydney NSW
Tenure & Opportunity
Full-Time;Part-Time (Ongoing)
Closing Date
26 October 2026 (11:59 PM AEDT)

Key Responsibilities & Operational Scope

The core responsibilities and primary duties for this position within Fair Work Ombudsman include:

  • provide education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers, employees, regulated workers, regulated businesses, persons in a road transport contractual chain, outworkers, outworker entities and organisations
  • promote and monitor compliance with workplace laws
  • inquire into and investigate breaches of the Fair Work Act
  • take appropriate enforcement action
  • perform our statutory functions efficiently, effectively, economically and ethically.
  • What our employees say about us
  • We are one of the most engaged and high performing agencies in Australia; consistently scoring above average on employee engagement and wellbeing when surveyed against other APS agencies.
  • We provide a diverse, inclusive and supportive work environment with access to:
  • Great training and development opportunities
  • Generous leave and flexible working arrangements

Mandatory Eligibility & Security Clearance

Applicants must satisfy the following statutory and organizational requirements:

  • Citizenship: Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, candidates must generally be Australian citizens to be eligible for engagement.
  • Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain an Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) security clearance (Baseline, Negative Vetting 1, or Negative Vetting 2 as required by the agency).
  • Probationary Period: Employment may be subject to a probationary period, character checks, and pre-engagement screening.
  • We are seeking a Principal Lawyer for our Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane office locations. Full-time and part-time hours are available. Successful applicants will be required to work part of the week out of one of the advertised office locations, and may also work some of the time from home. Offers will be based on candidate performance and operational requirements.
  • You must hold a Law degree from an Australian university (or overseas equivalent qualification) and have been admitted, or be eligible for admission, to the Supreme court in your State or Territory and the High Court of Australia. You must also hold or be eligible to hold a valid practising certificate without a supervised legal practice condition in Australia.
  • How your skills and experience address the requirements of this role.
  • Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be progressed to further assessment if you declare you have a disability (according to definition below), opt into the scheme, and meet the minimum requirements for the position.
  • RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability. This initiative/program is only applicable where the successful applicant will be employed under the Public Service Act 1999. Similar conditions may apply when employed under other Acts. For clarification please contact the advertising agency.

Working Arrangements & Public Sector Benefits

Work Model: Hybrid. Details: Hybrid.

Australian Public Service positions provide comprehensive Commonwealth benefits including a standard 15.4% employer superannuation contribution, attractive leave provisions, and structured career progression pathways across the Australian Public Service.

Official Application Information

This vacancy is an authentic Australian Public Service opening listed through APS Jobs for Fair Work Ombudsman. Applications must be lodged before the official closing date: 26 October 2026 (11:59 PM AEDT).

Proceed to Official APS Application Portal →

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