About us

The Department of Education (the department) is responsible for delivering and regulating state-wide learning and development services to approximately one-third of all Victorians across the early childhood and school education sectors. The department is also one of Victoria's biggest employers, with approximately 80,000 teaching staff and around 5,000 public service employees.

The Legal Division provides highly valued legal services to support the delivery of the department's strategic objectives, key reforms and to manage legal risk. In doing so, Legal Division provides direct, practical and strategic legal advice to portfolio ministers, the secretary, other senior staff and over 1,600 government schools, supporting approximately over 650,000 Victorian Government school students.

About the role - fixed term until March 2026

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen to work as a Principal Lawyer and Manager of the Workplace, Discrimination and Disputes (WDD) unit. The WDD unit advises on and manages discrimination, human rights and employment law matters and other government litigation.

The Principal Lawyer and Manager role encompasses a wide range of matters including managing significant, sensitive and high profile litigation in Commissions, Courts and Tribunals and briefing external firms and sometimes directly briefing barristers. The role may undertake some advocacy and representation in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the Fair Work Commission, the Federal Court, Disciplinary Appeals Board and Merit Protection Boards as well as the Supreme Court of Victoria.

A team of lawyers directly report to the Principal Lawyer and Manager, working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. The successful candidate will be highly motivated to induct, mentor, develop, coach and supervise the legal work of more junior lawyers and assist to build their capability.

The successful candidiate will have significant and relevant experience in providing authorative legal advice in relation to government legal issues (including occupational health and safety, privacy, FOI, administrative law, Ombudsman and other inquiries).

Why join us?

• Meaningful work that is varied, satisfying and rewarding - A career as a government lawyer provides opportunities that are unrivalled by the private sector. Scale, impact and richness of work sets the public sector apart from almost every other employer. To find out more about the wide range of opportunities for bright publicly minded lawyers visit Legal profession | vic.gov.au

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements — Part time, flexible start and finish times, work from home to help manage your work and personal commitments.
• Competitive salary - Annual salary increases in line with the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement
• Diversity and inclusion - As one of Victoria's largest employers, the department is committed to creating an organisation that is inclusive and ensuring it has a workforce that represents the community it serves.
• Values - The department has adopted the public sector values which are set out in the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees, which are Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values underpin how we interact with colleagues, students and families, members of the community, suppliers and government.
• Employee assistance program — For emotional, mental and general psychological wellbeing and support

How to Apply

For more information, please review the attached position description.

Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter (no more than 2 pages).

For a confidential discussion regarding the role please contact Elizabeth Guarino, 03 7022 0917, Acting Director, Workplace and Education Law branch.

Visit http://www.careers.vic.gov.au/vacancies/tips-for-applying for guidelines and tips for applying for government positions.

Applications close 11:59pm on 15-JUL-2025.