Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Graduate Solicitor / Policy Officer

Maliyan Program - Department of Communities and Justice

• Location - Sydney (Regional locations will be considered)
• Employment Type - Ongoing - Full time (35 hours)
• Salary - Legal Officer - Grade I - III, Base Salary ($77,012 - $130,542, plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only

Your role

Undertake a range of legal activities in the relevant area/s of law or policy to contribute to efficient and effective legal support services and policy reform for the Law Reform and Legal Division within the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).

What you'll do

As a graduate of the Maliyan Program you will be working in positions throughout the Law Reform and Legal Services (LRLS) Division. The Maliyan Program provides the opportunity for Legal Graduates to commence their careers in a supportive and flexible working environment. The Maliyan Program is for a period of 24 months, the role is considered ongoing upon the successful completion of the program. You will be supported in applying for and obtaining permanent employment within the LRLS division.

You will also:

• Have the opportunity to rotate through various positions within the LRLS Division throughout the Maliyan Program.
• Be able to count your Maliyan Program employment towards the practical component of a Practical Legal Training Program, if applicable.
• Enjoy flexible working arrangements where suitable, including remote work, part-time work, or roles in regional locations across NSW.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team to deliver legal support services and/or contribute to policy and legislative reform.
• Undertake legal and policy research and analysis, draft documents, assist with stakeholder engagement, and provide legal and policy advice under supervision.
• Primarily work within DCJ Legal or Policy, Reform and Legislation branches, with potential opportunities across other branches within the LRLS Division.

In DCJ Legal, you will:

• Provide legal advice, litigation, dispute resolution, representation, and advocacy services to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the department's governance and legal compliance.
• Provide Open Government, Information & Privacy services, including handling GIPA Act applications and facilitating access to information under various schemes and statutory processes.

In the Policy, Reform and Legislation branch, you will:

• Identify and formulate changes to the law and criminal justice system.
• Deliver high-quality legal policy advice to portfolio Ministers and the government.
• Help implement legislative programs for Ministers.
• Inform the public about legislative changes and how laws operate within the relevant portfolios.

For more information on the Maliyan Program, click here.

What we're looking for

• A passionate, driven graduate who is looking for a challenging and rewarding preview to the NSW Government, where you can make a difference from within.
• Completion of a law degree from an accredited law school or completion of the Legal Practitioners Admission Board's Diploma in Law Course within the past 12 months or expected completion within three months of application.
• This role is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants only.
• Willingness to undertake a Working with Children Check.
• Willingness to travel for regional or interstate commitments

As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia's First Nations people

Where a position is identified, an applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted:

Confirmation of Aboriginality form

or

Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now' button.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-dcj/pathways/careers-for-aboriginal-people.html

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close: Sunday, 08 June 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Annie Macleod on 0437 395 039 or at [email protected]

If you've got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Lois Jebin at [email protected]

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers, and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website (for all roles except Aboriginal Identified)

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

The Welcome Experience
Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW' page.