APS Levels 4 & 5 Canberra, ACT; Melbourne, VIC; Sydney, NSW; Brisbane, QLD; Perth, WA; Adelaide, SA; Darwin, NT; Hobart, TAS $78,115 - $85,695 About the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations We enable access to quality skills, training and employment services to support Australians find secure work in fair, productive and safe workplaces – supporting individuals and our nation to prosper. The Role Workplace relations is a dynamic policy area, which is frequently at the forefront of national policy debates. The Workplace Relations (WR) Group supports the Australian Government's workplace relations agenda through the development of policy advice, administering key workplace relations programs and engaging with government, industry and community stakeholders. The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations has committed to implementing the Government's extensive Secure Australian Jobs Plan. Key reform priorities focus on further measures to support workers in low paid, female dominated industries; supporting workers employed through labour hire companies; criminalising wage theft and extending the powers of the Fair Work Commission to include 'employee-like' forms of work, to better protect people from exploitative and dangerous working conditions. The Government is also focused on improving work health and safety outcomes for workers. We are looking for enthusiastic, motivated APS Level 5 Government Lawyers to assist with the development of these meaningful reforms and supporting their delivery. The majority of our division is based in Canberra, but we have offices nationwide and we support our staff to work in these other locations. Remote working will also be considered on request. Duties and Responsibilities The Workplace Relations Legal Division comprises of: The Bargaining and Coverage Branch; Employment Standards Branch; and Safety, Compensation and Institutions Branch. The division works closely with policy divisions in the WR Group to provide legal advice about workplace relations matters to Government. The division provides legal advice to government on workplace relations legislative reform options, liaising with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) about the drafting of legislation and providing support to the Minister during the legislation process. The division also provides advice to the Minister on possible ministerial intervention in appropriate legal matters ensure that the Minister puts forward clear, well-argued submissions to the relevant court or tribunal. The division is responsible for: Providing legal advice on a range of matters, Preparation of instructions for the drafting of legislation and related material, Preparation of Commonwealth submissions for Court and tribunal hearings; and Undertaking legal and policy research and analysis of workplace relations issues, including monitoring legislative developments and decisions of courts and tribunals. Qualifications and Education Essential – applicants must hold a degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution or comparable overseas qualification, and admission as a legal practitioner, however described, of the High Court or the Supreme Court of and Australian State or Territory. Desirable – experience in providing legal advice on aspects of workplace relations law, work health and safety and/or workers' compensation. How to Apply Applicants are required to provide up to a one-page summary (no more than 500words) that outlines skills, knowledge, and experience and why you should be considered for this vacancy. You should take into consideration the position overview (including any detailed position specific requirements) when drafting your response. Where possible include specific relevant examples of your work. The APS work level standards accommodate the diversity of roles across the APS and are structured to clearly differentiate between the work expected (i.e. responsibilities and duties) at each classification level. In the eRecruit (the department's online recruitment system) you will also need to: upload a Curriculum Vitae provide contact details for 2 Referees. Please nominate which level/s you wish to apply for in your application. Eligibility Please note, under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency delegate has agreed, in writing. This is a designated security assessed position. The successful candidate will have the ability to obtain and maintain a Baseline security clearance. This selection process may be used to establish a merit pool. The pool might be accessed to fill ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies for similar roles in the Department over the next 18 months. Citizenship - to be eligible for employment with the Department, you must be an Australian Citizen or, in limited circumstances, in the process of obtaining it. Security Clearance - our successful candidate is required to hold, or have the ability to obtain, and maintain a Baseline security clearance. Please refer to the Job Information Pack for more information about the role. How to apply for jobs in the Australian Public Service (APSC Guide) Opens in new window Job Information Pack - APS 4 Government Lawyer Opens in new window Job Information Pack - APS 5 Government Lawyer Opens in new window
