APS6 - Lawyer (Multiple Positions), Commercial Law and Privacy Branch

The department supports workplace diversity and values the contribution of people from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people with cultural and linguistic diversity, and LGBTQIA+ people. The department is committed to achieving gender equality and, in particular, supporting women’s progression into senior leadership.

The opportunity we have available

The Legal, Legislation Liaison and Privacy Division in the department provides high quality, technically excellent, and practical legal advice, support and services to the department and Ministers’ offices, on the diverse areas covered by the portfolio.

The Legal, Legislation Liaison and Privacy Division’s Commercial Law teams are seeking several dynamic and talented APS6 commercial lawyers with legal practice experience to join our growing legal practice. Applicants should have excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills and possess the proactive and enquiring mindset needed to deliver high quality commercial legal services to the department.

The Commercial Law team delivers a broad range of legal services to the department, including advising on a wide array of commercial and real property law matters as well as major government projects. Some of the primary areas of focus for the team are:

• major infrastructure projects, including air, road and rail projects (such as the Western Sydney Airport, Moorebank Intermodal Freight Terminal and WestConnex);
• regional development initiatives and grants;
• provision of infrastructure and services to Australia’s non-self-governing territories such as Christmas Island, Norfolk Island and Jervis Bay;
• communications and technology services including national broadband and mobile projects;
• significant procurements, including ICT procurements;
• aviation, road and maritime transport projects such as establishing a fleet of maritime vessels;
• support of Australian culture and arts; and
• facilitating national sporting initiatives, including the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Successful applicants will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver legal advice and solutions to support key Australian Government outcomes that are crucial to the wellbeing of Australians and the prosperity of our nation. This is an exciting opportunity to advance your career and gain experience advising on some of the most important and complex commercial projects within the Australian Public Service (APS).

A merit pool may be established for future vacancies.

What will you do? 

Working under the limited supervision of Senior Lawyers, Principal Lawyers and the General Counsel - Commercial and Privacy, you will be responsible for:

• taking carriage of commercial law matters, identifying legal risks and providing timely and accurate legal advice to assist the department achieve its objectives;
• drafting, reviewing and advising on key transaction and supporting contracts;
• contributing to the development and maintenance of the department’s commercial law precedents;
• working constructively with internal and other Commonwealth Government stakeholders to inform, design and deliver effective and efficient legal options and solutions that meet the department’s requirements;
• managing the efficient procurement of external legal services and ensuring those services provide value for money to the department; and
• contributing to team and organisational continuous improvement and skills/capability building initiatives, including by supporting internal training to the department on commercial law issues from time to time.

Who are we looking for? 

A successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the APS 6 Work level standards and will:

• have relevant post-qualification legal practice experience in a law firm, in house or government environment in advising on, drafting, reviewing and/or negotiating a range of commercial and/or real property arrangements;
• be flexible, resilient and a strong team player with excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to develop strong and collaborative working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders;
• possess good attention to detail; be able to quickly understand the policy and legislative frameworks in which the department operates, and its strategic and operational objectives.
• be proactive and possess strong problem-solving skills;
• strive to continuously develop their legal and other skills, including by responding to constructive feedback; and
• operate with integrity and continuously uphold the APS Values and Statement of Expectations of Australian Government Lawyers.

While not essential, an ideal candidate would also have legal practice experience in one or more of the following:

• the resolution of commercial disputes;
• environment and/or planning matters;
• intellectual property and ICT matters; and/or
• Commonwealth policy and legislative/regulatory frameworks.

RecruitAbility minimum requirements

In addition to the requirements in the ‘Eligibility requirements’ section below, the minimum requirements for this role include:

• post qualification legal practice experience in commercial and/or real property law;
• ability to communicate effectively and develop strong and collaborative working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders;
• ability to quickly understand the policy and legislative frameworks in which the department operates and its strategic and operational objectives;
• ability to work under limited supervision and prioritise and deliver high quality and timely outcomes; and
• operate with integrity in accordance with the APS Values and Statement of Expectations of Australian Government Lawyers.

RecruitAbility is a scheme which aims to attract and develop applicants with disability and also facilitate cultural changes in selection panels and agency recruitment.

Job applicants with disability are advanced to the next stage of the selection process if they:

• Opt into the scheme;
• Declare they have a disability; and
• Meet the minimum requirements of a vacancy advertised in the scheme.

More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.

What else can we offer?

Successful applicants will be able to make the most of what the Legal, Legislation Liaison and Privacy Division has to offer. You will be working with likeminded people and be exposed to a range of interesting key deliverables. Some of the professional benefits of working within the department include:

• an excellent opportunity to grow and diversify your career in a high-profile organisation;
• exposure to high profile and exciting matters and networking opportunities across the department and wider APS;
• access to Study Assistance Program providing paid leave and financial support for professional development;
• flexible work arrangements and home-based work on agreement with your supervisor; and
• generous leave entitlements, including 20 days of personal circumstances leave per year and 150 hours of paid annual leave (pro-rata).

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
• Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check: The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.
• Qualifications: Tertiary degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution, or a comparable overseas qualification which is appropriate to the duties of the position.
• Admission as a legal practitioner: however described, of the High Court or of the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory and the holding, or eligibility to obtain, a practising certificate in the relevant jurisdiction.

Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.

If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date the role first appeared in the APS Gazette.

Applications open: Wednesday 17 September 2025

Applications close: Tuesday 07 October 2025

Application shortlisting: w/c 13 October 2025

Further assessments: w/c 20 October 2025

Selection report finalised: w/c 27 October 2025

Offers and announcements: w/c 03 November 2025

The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.

Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job and the Work level standards. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews, and reference checks.

How to apply

Applications for this opportunity close at 11:59pm AEDT, Tuesday 07 October 2025.

In applying for this position, you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather, you should provide in a PDF document a statement of no more than two (2) pages outlining your background, capabilities and experiences, and how these align with the capabilities and behaviours required for this role as set out  in the ‘Who are we looking for’ section.

You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF, no more than three (3) pages.

Your application should be received through the department’s online recruitment system. Applications via Indeed will not be accepted.

If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team on 02 6136 8989 or via email at [email protected] to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.

Please advise the contact officer if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The department is committed to the accessibility of our systems. If you identify as someone with disability and you require accessibility assistance or more information, please email [email protected] 

Work with us. Apply now!