Principal Lawyer – Fair Work Ombudsman
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0770920
- Agency: Fair Work Ombudsman
- Job Title: Principal Lawyer
- Position Number: 26/037EA
- Classification: Executive Level 2
- Closing Date: Thursday 23 July 2026
- Job Type: Full-Time;Part-Time, Ongoing
- Location: Brisbane QLD, Adelaide SA, Sydney NSW,
- Future Merit Locations: Various locations – ACT, Various locations – NSW,
- Salary: $152,276 – $178,127
- Office Arrangement: Hybrid (Hybrid/flexible)
About Fair Work Ombudsman
The Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman (OFWO) is an independent statutory office established
by the (Fair Work Act). Our functions outline the responsibilities we have as Fair Work Act 2009
set by the Fair Work Act and other legislation to achieve our purpose:
provide education, assistance, advice and guidance to employers, employees, 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.
What we offer you
We provide a diverse, inclusive and supportive work environment with access to:
• Great training and development opportunities
• Generous leave and flexible working arrangements
• Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), a free counselling service for you and your family
• A competitive salary, plus 15.4% superannuation
• Rewards and recognition initiatives.
We Value Diversity
OFWO has been accredited as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace since 2011. We are also
members of the Australian Network on Disability and Pride in Diversity. We encourage and
welcome applications from First Nations people, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people
from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature age people.
Duties
- What we are looking for
- We are seeking exceptional leaders with a can-do attitude who are agile and adaptable and who
- are committed to achieving fairness in Australian workplaces.
- You will typically have . There will be a strong 7+ years of relevant post-admission experience
- preference for candidates with experience in both conducting litigation and workplace relations law
- because the role requires a Principal Lawyer to supervise and develop the capabilities of a team of
- lawyers with expertise in these areas.
- Experience in a debt recovery legal role in which you have managed the recovery of outstanding
- funds, including through proceedings. Experience with debt recovery in a public sector context,
- including experience with the is Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013
- preferred, but not essential.
- You will have excellent oral and written communication skills and be able to effectively convey
- your opinion, position or counter-position. You will have the demonstrated ability to work
- collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, balance competing priorities and interests, and
- negotiate outcomes.
- You will have a proven track-record of achieving results within short timeframes or under pressure.
- You must be able to demonstrate:
- experience in leading and managing people in a legal environment;
- an advanced ability to identify and manage risk;
- an ability to conduct a cohesive legal practice autonomously and exercise a high degree of
- legal judgment in the conduct of litigation; and
- an ability to advise on complex workplace relations issues and debt recovery.
Eligibility / Notes
- To be eligible for employment with the OFWO you must be an Australian citizen.
- The successful candidate must hold a current Australian Government Security Clearance
- (AGSVA) or be willing to undergo and obtain a Baseline security clearance.
- For this role, you will need to hold a degree in Law from an Australian university (or overseas
- equivalent qualification) and be admitted, or eligible for admission, to the Supreme Court in
- your State and the High Court of Australia.
- You will need to have (or be able to obtain) a practising certificate that enables you to
- supervise other lawyers.
How to Apply
Position Contact [email protected], N/A
Agency Recruitment Site https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/careers
Applicants to vacancies notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette should be aware:
that the names of successful applicants will also be notified in all formats of the electronic Public Service Gazette
applicants found suitable may be offered similar employment opportunities by other Australian Public Service agencies
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