Principal Legal Counsel – Department of Industry, Science and Resources
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0770974
- Agency: Department of Industry, Science and Resources
- Job Title: Principal Legal Counsel
- Position Number: 0676_06/26
- Classification: Executive Level 2
- Closing Date: Wednesday 05 August 2026
- Job Type: Full-Time, Ongoing;Non-Ongoing
- Location: Sydney NSW, Canberra ACT, Brisbane QLD,
- Future Merit Locations: Various locations – ACT, Various locations – NSW,
- Salary: $158,513 – $169,596
- Office Arrangement: On Site;Flexible (Flexible work arrangements are supported by the)
About Department of Industry, Science and Resources
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the
Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better
future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy,
enriched by science and technology. We do this by:
Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
Investing in science and technology
Strengthening the resources sector.
The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to
create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and
our people.
If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and
open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.
Please see the for more information on the benefits and APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition
value of employment within the APS.
Duties
- Legislative design and implementation
- Lead the design, development and amendment of primary and subordinate legislation.
- Provide strategic legal advice on legislative frameworks, including administrative and
- regulatory considerations.
- Translate policy intent into legislative solutions that are clear, workable and durable.
- Guide legislation through the full lifecycle, including drafting instructions, engaging with
- Office of Parliamentary Counsel, exposure drafts, consultation, parliamentary processes, Bill
- passage and commencement.
- Support implementation of legislative schemes, including developing guidance, governance
- frameworks and operational settings.
- Identify and manage legal risks arising from legislative design and implementation.
- Develop in-house capability to identify and manage legal risk, including through strategic
- engagement of external legal providers.
- All roles
- Provide technical expertise and leadership in one or more practice areas.
- Provide authoritative, practical and strategic legal advice on complex, high-risk and sensitive
- matters.
- Lead and manage a team, providing technical oversight, mentoring and capability
- development.
- Foster a strong, collaborative and high-performing culture aligned to CCID’s vision and
- values.
- Drive continuous improvement in practices, tools and approaches across the Legal Practice.
- Build strong relationships with policy and program areas, senior executives, corporate
- partners and external stakeholders.
- Contribute to whole-of-practice planning and delivery of key priorities.
Eligibility / Notes
- Principal Legal Counsel must hold:
- Admission as a legal practitioner, however described, of the High Court or the Supreme
- Court of an Australian State or Territory, and
- A current practising certificate issued by the Law Society of the ACT or in their state or
- territory of residence (or be eligible to acquire one)
- Applicants for a Principal Legal Counsel based in South Australia must hold, or be eligible to
- hold, an unrestricted practising certificate issued by the Law Society of South Australia.
- To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian
- Citizens.
- Positions require a Baseline security clearance, and successful candidates will be required to
- obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
How to Apply
Position Contact Annalisa Heger, 0497 798 502
Agency Recruitment Site https://careers.industry.gov.au/en/job/
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
Industry, Science, Energy and
Resources
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