Lawyer (APS5 / 6), Corporate Legal Services
Location: Sydney CBD (preferred location), however we will consider candidate applications from all other locations within Australia. Deadline: Thursday, 9 January 2025 at 11:59pm AEDT
About the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Working with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) will put you at the forefront of data protection and access to information regulation. As an independent statutory agency, the OAIC's work is of national significance and plays an important role in shaping Australia's information handling landscape across the economy - from government, digital platforms and the online environment, to health, finance and telecommunications.
Our mission is to uphold and promote Australia's privacy and freedom of information laws. We are an agency within the Attorney-General's Department portfolio with responsibility for:
Privacy functions under the
Privacy Act 1988
Freedom of information functions, in particular review of decisions made by agencies and ministers under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982
Privacy and confidentiality functions in relation to the Consumer Data Right (CDR) under the
Competition and Consumer Act 2010
The team
The Legal Services branch provides expert legal advice and supports the OAIC's Commissioners and Executive, specifically on high-priority matters related to statutory obligations, administrative law, and broader regulatory enforcement. This team plays a critical role in managing litigation brought against the Commissioner and supporting external legal representation for complex, high-risk cases.
The Legal Services team concentrates on corporate legal matters, including industrial relations, contract management, procurement, and administrative law, ensuring that the OAIC's operations are compliant with relevant legislation and regulations. This branch also serves as the point of legal expertise in supporting the OAIC's Information Commissioner in tribunal appearances.
Key relationships
You will be expected to develop and maintain effective and productive working relationships with a broad range of internal stakeholders and some external stakeholders including portfolio agencies, government, academia, private sector, and the Minister's Office. You will represent the OAIC (for activities both within and outside your division) at high levels within and outside government.
About The Role
Lawyers (APS5 / 6) report to the Principal Lawyer and work closely with the Principal Director (Head of Legal), Senior Lawyers, and other Lawyers. You will support the Corporate Legal Services team responsible for delivering independent and expert legal advice to the OAIC's Commissioners and Executive and managing the conduct of litigation brought against the OAIC.
Duties may include:
Conducting legal research and preparing legal advice (oral and written) for the Executive on administrative law and statutory interpretation.
Managing and assisting with litigation.
Preparing and providing legal input into briefs and submissions on law reform.
Providing legal advice on a range of matters across numerous legislative instruments.
Providing corporate legal services to the OAIC in areas relevant to public administration including advising on contracts, employment law, and Memoranda of Understanding.
Liaising effectively with internal stakeholders and external legal service providers.
Representing Legal Services and the OAIC at internal and external forums.
Performing other tasks as directed.
Job Specific Capabilities, Skills & Experience
We are seeking applications from candidates who have:
Legal qualifications including the ability to obtain and maintain a practicing certificate.
Experience operating in a regulatory environment.
Knowledge of the
Freedom of Information Act 1982
and the
Privacy Act 1988
(desirable).
The ability to provide impartial and forthright advice.
Desirable: experience working with/in government, including litigation experience.
You must be able to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance. The OAIC operates a hybrid work model with a combination of remote working and office attendance.
How to Apply
Please complete the application form found at the end of this job pack as part of your submission. Provide a statement of claim of up to 2 A4 pages, addressing your interest, motivation, and fit for the role. Your application form, CV, and statement of claim should be collated as one document (where possible) and sent in a single email to: ******. Please ensure your email includes your full name in the email subject field, along with the job reference number found on the front page of this pack.
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