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 - 1 x ongoing, and 1 x fixed term till 18 September 2026

If you are looking to advance your legal career and would relish the opportunity to work in a high-performing in-house legal team that provides specialist legal advice to a broad range of clients on diverse areas of law, this is for you.

The role offers an exciting opportunity for a dynamic lawyer looking to make an impact and undertake rewarding work. You will be providing high quality, fast paced, and practical advice to Victorian government schools, regional offices and corporate staff in the Department of Education across a variety of areas of law including family law, intervention orders, child protection, school community safety orders, trespass, privacy and information sharing, duty of care, subpoenas and witness summonses and other school-related legal matters in accordance with the VPS values.

The Children, Families and Education Law unit (CFEL) also manages proceedings, inquiries and investigations such as those conducted by the Coroners Court of Victoria and Commission for Children and Young People. The unit provides legal review of department policies and guidelines, correspondence and Cabinet documents and assistance in legal policy issues related to early childhood and schools.

The successful candidate will have experience in some or all of these areas of law, be able to provide high quality and fast-paced legal advice both in writing and verbally, and be motivated to work in a team environment and learn about new areas of law, including the work of a government lawyer.

The successful candidate will work with and be mentored by lawyers who are passionate about their work and genuine about supporting your career aspirations.

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

Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter summarising their skills and experience (no more than two pages).

For more details regarding this position, please see the attached position description. For a confidential discussion, please phone Sarah Nicholson, Principal Lawyer and Manager, Children, Families and Education Law Unit via (03) 7022 0924.

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

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Friday 18 July 2025.