Principal Lawyer - The Independent Review Office (IRO)

Clerk Grade: 11/12

Salary Range: $145,378 - $168,130 + super

Employment Type: Temporary (up to 6 months), Full-Time

Location: Sydney

The organisation

The Independent Review Office (IRO) is an independent Agency established under the Personal Injury Commission Act 2020. Samantha Taylor is the Independent Review Officer. The Officer is supported by an expert team.

The functions of the IRO include:

• finding solutions for persons injured at work or in motor vehicle accidents with complaints about their insurers.
• manage and administer the Independent Legal Assistance and Review Service (ILARS)
• conduct inquiries into matters arising in connection with the operation of the Personal Injury Commission Act 2020 and the workers' compensation and motor vehicle accident legislation.

For more information about the IRO click here

About this role

IRO is seeking a Principal Lawyer to work in the ILARS Team. A Principal Lawyer ILARS assesses, approves, reviews and manages grants of funding for legal assistance from approved lawyers to enable them to advise and assist injured workers with their worker' compensation claims.

Reporting to a Manager in ILARS and working as part of a team, you will assess applications for grants of funding from externally approved lawyers to advise and assist injured workers with their worker' compensation claims, review and manage approved grants of funding and identify and facilitate opportunities for early dispute resolution.

Key accountabilities

• Apply legal expertise to assess, approve and manage grants of funding from approved lawyers to support the provision of advice and assistance to injured workers on their compensation claims
• Identify and advance opportunities for early dispute resolution to facilitate timely outcomes and minimise escalation of legal action
• Make policy-based decisions to assess and determine grants of funding to approved lawyers
• Contribute to the development and implementation of sound policy to support objectives and facilitate the achievement of operational plans and projects
• Work flexibly and collaboratively to complete tasks and develop solutions to emerging challenges to ensure risks are mitigated and business objectives are met within legislative frameworks
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with approved lawyers to ensure the achievement of objectives, compliance and optimal service delivery
• Maintain expertise in NSW Workers Compensation law and procedure, awareness of early dispute resolution procedures and legislative change to support the delivery of efficient and effective funding services and resolution outcomes
• Develop and deliver education programs to external stakeholders to inform, support and build sound understanding of relevant policies and practices administered by the organisation and to ensure compliance with legislative and statutory requirements

To be considered for this role you must have;

• At least 5 years practical expertise in NSW Workers Compensation law and procedure
• Up to date sound knowledge and practical experience in the NSW Workers compensation system, legislation, and reform processes
• A current legal practicing certificate
• Strong computer and technical skills including Microsoft Office suite.

Challenges

• Keeping up to date with the range, pace and complexity of information and knowledge required to deliver quality service in a complex and changing environment
• Maintaining up to date knowledge of relevant legislation and case law while understanding and responding to diverse business needs and priorities
• Making sound policy-based decisions in a fast-paced working environment
• Working in a team
• Balancing competing demands of service delivery and meeting organisational outcomes

How to apply

Your application should include a two-page cover letter, and an up-to-date resume of no more than five pages which clearly details your skills and experience as relevant to this role.

Applicants invited for interview will be required to complete additional assessments

Salary Grade 11/12, with the base salary for this role starting at $145,378 base plus superannuation

Click Here to access the Role Description.

For enquiries relating to recruitment please contact Meg Rapley via [email protected].

Visit the Capability Application Tool to prepare for the recruitment process by accessing practice application and interview questions based on the focus capabilities listed in the role description.

Closing Date: Thursday 5 June 2025 at 9:59am

Careers at Department of Customer Service
A career at the Department of Customer Service (DCS) gives you the opportunity to help improve government services and be part of reform that benefits people across NSW. We are focused on delivering excellent customer service, digital transformation, and regulatory reform. Come join us and influence the future of our great state.

Belong in our diverse and inclusive workplace

The strength of our workforce lies in its diversity and embracing difference, while the key to our success is leveraging the contributions of employees with different backgrounds and perspectives.

You can view our full diversity and inclusion statement here.

We want you to bring your best self to this application process. If you have any support or access needs that may require adjustments to allow you to fully participate in this selection process (including an alternate format of the application form) please contact [email protected] or 02 9494 8351.

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