Legal Counsel – FOI and Privacy – Australian Research Council
📌 Vacancy Fact Sheet
- Reference Number: VN-0770512
- Agency: Australian Research Council
- Job Title: Legal Counsel – FOI and Privacy
- Position Number: ARC26-005
- Classification: Executive Level 1
- Closing Date: Monday 06 July 2026
- Job Type: Full-Time, Non-Ongoing
- Location: Canberra ACT
- Future Merit Locations: Various locations – ACT, Various locations – NSW,
- Salary: $123,461 –
- Office Arrangement: Flexible (Flexible working arrangements may be negotiated)
About Australian Research Council
The ARC is a non-corporate Commonwealth entity established under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 (ARC Act). It is
located within the Australian Government’s Education portfolio and reports to the Minister for Education. The ARC is a vital
component of Australia’s innovation and research system. It plays an integral role in supporting the research sector to produce
excellent and impactful research for Australia’s economic, social, environmental and cultural benefit through the delivery of the
National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP). The NCGP funds excellent pure basic, strategic basic and applied research in all
disciplines except medical research. The ARC’s broader remit includes the provision of high-quality research policy advice to the
Australian Government and supporting research security and integrity. It also includes promoting ethical research, evaluating the
excellence, impact and depth of Australian research and expanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems. It
also facilitates partnerships between researchers and industry, government, community organisations and the international
community.
Duties
- The opportunity
- Reporting to the Deputy General Counsel, this role primarily manages FOI, privacy, data and
- administrative law matters. Their main responsibilities include:
- Provide strategic legal advice and risk management: Deliver high-quality, practical legal
- advice across a range of matters, including information law, administrative law, and the
- application of the Australian Research Council Act and other relevant legislation, to support
- informed decision-making and manage legal risk.
- Lead the delivery of FOI and privacy functions: Manage complex and sensitive freedom
- of information requests, exercising sound judgement and discretion, and ensuring
- compliance with legislative requirements. Oversee Privacy Officer functions, including
- privacy governance, implementation of the Privacy Management Plan, and effective
- management of privacy breaches.
- Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships: Collaborate proactively with senior
- executives and key business areas to embed best practice approaches to FOI and privacy,
- strengthen organisational capability, and ensure legal considerations are integrated into
- business processes.
- Deliver complex legal drafting and advisory work: Prepare and review a range of legal
- documents, including grant guidelines, grant agreements, and contracts, ensuring clarity,
- consistency, and alignment with legislative and policy requirements.
- Manage complaints and administrative law matters: Provide expert advice and support in
- relation to complaints, review processes, and administrative law matters, ensuring fair,
- transparent, and legally robust outcomes.
- Promote legal awareness and capability uplift: Build organisational understanding of key
- legal obligations through guidance, communication, and engagement, promoting a culture of
- compliance and informed decision-making.
- Support cross-cutting legal work across the organisation: Contribute to legal advice and
- support across diverse areas, including procurement, employment, ICT/privacy
- considerations, and grants management, as required.
- Our ideal candidate
- We are seeking a capable and motivated legal practitioner with a strong foundation in government
- legal practice, including demonstrated experience in FOI and privacy law. Experience across
- additional areas of government law—such as administrative law, statutory interpretation,
- employment law, procurement, contracts, or grants management—will be highly regarded.
- The ideal candidate brings confidence in working with a high degree of autonomy, taking
- ownership of their work and providing clear, well reasoned advice without the need for routine
- oversight. They are comfortable operating in a dynamic environment and are trusted to exercise
- sound judgement in their areas of expertise.
- You will be a proactive problem solver, able to navigate complex or unfamiliar legal issues by
- identifying practical and workable solutions. This includes leveraging networks across the
- Commonwealth legal community, undertaking targeted research, and engaging external expertise
- where appropriate to deliver informed outcomes.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills are essential. You will be able to
- communicate with clarity and influence, tailoring your advice to a broad range of audiences, and
- building productive, trusted relationships with stakeholders—including scientific experts, program
- areas, and other government lawyers.
- Diversity and inclusion
- We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds including but not limited to;
- people who identify as LGBTIQA+, people with a disability, and people from a culturally and
- linguistically diverse background.
- The ARC expects all staff to understand workplace diversity, workplace participation, a safe
- working environment and access and equity principles, and to promote these principles in the
- development and implementation of policies and programs.
- Remuneration package
- The ARC’s Remuneration Package comprises a competitive salary component and generous
- employer superannuation contribution.
- The salary payable upon commencement will be negotiable and will consider personal capabilities,
- such as experience and qualifications.
- What we offer
- In addition to exciting and fulfilling work at the heart of research and the government, the ARC
- offers the opportunity to work with strong, smart, visionary, and experienced leaders, who are
- among the most respected in their fields.
- The ARC is an equal opportunity employer, and all our recruitment decisions are made based on
- merit. We are committed to building a workforce that is flexible, agile, and responsive to fostering a
- positive workplace where people treat each other and the community with respect.
Eligibility / Notes
- Eligibility Requirements
- Must be an Australian citizen
- Undergo pre-employment screening
- Must obtain or be able to obtain a Commonwealth Security Clearance Baseline Level
How to Apply
Position Contact Geoff Budd, (02) 6206 7224
Agency Recruitment Site https://candidate.aurion.cloud/arescoun/production/redirect/to/dmFjYW5jaWVzLzI5
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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