The Role

The Directorate of Legislation is responsible for managing Defence’s legislation program, progressing Defence legislation projects from inception through to enactment. We provide strategic legal advice on legislation and legislative processes. We also coordinate Defence’s contribution to whole-of-Government legislative reform, and provide the legislation liaison officer function for Defence.

As a member of DLEG, your day to day tasks will include:

• Shaping strategic thinking through your legal advice on legislation and legislative process, and your contributions to planning Defence’s legislation program;
• Achieving results, through your high quality management of all aspects of your legislation projects from inception to enactment;
• Cultivating productive working relationships with Ministers’ offices, instructing client areas, the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and other agencies and stakeholders, and within the collegiate environment of the Defence Legal practice;
• Exemplifying personal drive and integrity, through your engagement with legal risk, commitment to life-long learning, collegiate approach to second counselling, and contribution to corporate initiatives; and
• Communicating with influence within and beyond Defence, in your conduct of meetings and delivery of verbal advice, and in your preparation of written materials such as legal advice, drafting instructions, non-tied instruments, supporting materials and submissions.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Agreement (DEA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer

About our Team

Defence Legal (DL) is a national organisation within the Department of Defence that provides legal advice and other legal support services to Defence. We draw on the professional talent of our people to pursue excellence in support of Defence’s mission and priorities.

As a general in-house legal practice, the General Counsel - Defence (GC-D) Branch provides strategic legal advice to Defence Senior Leadership and Defence Ministers on a broad range of legal issues that arise across the Defence portfolio.

GC-D has a broad remit and is the first point of contact for all legal queries except those relating to litigation, military law and general commercial procurement law. GC-D has a particular strong focus on legislation and legal reform, and is responsible for managing the Defence legislation program. GC-D specialises in the following areas of law:

• Legislation
• Strategic Legal Reform
• Administrative, Regulatory and Security Law
• Employment Law and Discretionary Claim
• Data and Information Law
• Strategic Policy and Emerging Technology Law
• International Government Agreements and Arrangements
• Estate and Infrastructure Law

We are looking to fill several positions in the GC-D Branch, with immediate vacancies in the Directorate of Legislation (DLEG) and anticipated vacancies elsewhere in the Branch over the next 18 months.

Our Ideal Candidate

To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced, motivated and high performing lawyer. You will:

• Possess strong strategic thinking and legal analytic skills;
• Demonstrate sound judgement in decision-making and operating autonomously;
• Possess well developed organisational skills and the ability to work with diverse teams to achieve results in a fast-paced environment;
• Be able to work under pressure and within tight timeframes to meet operational needs;
• Have experience exercising initiative and influence to build strong working relationships with stakeholders;
• Work collaboratively with others to meet organisational outcomes within applicable legislative and policy frameworks; and
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to negotiate persuasively.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 27 April 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASG/02470/25 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=AE20EF39-1EE1-461B-6616-E3A9F68C060C