Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Senior Policy Officer

Legal Services Council

• Principal location - Sydney - Flexible working arrangements may be negotiated.
• Employment type - Ongoing - Full time (35 hours per week)
• Salary - Departmental Professional Officer - Grade 4/5, Base Salary ($138,539 - $149,739), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

Your role

The Senior Policy Officer supports the Legal Services Council and its Committees in delivering key policy, legislative and regulatory initiatives under the Legal Profession Uniform Law. This is a great opportunity to apply your legal and policy expertise to the regulation of the legal profession across New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. You will work in a small, high-performing team at the centre of national legal policy reform, where your advice and projects have real impact.

What you'll do

As part of the Legal Services Council Secretariat, you will work on complex policy and legislative legal policy initiatives and reforms that support the objectives of the Legal Profession Uniform Law.

You will lead research and analysis, prepare evidence-based policy advice and instruct on legislative and regulatory drafting.

You will also:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across jurisdictions and the legal sector.
• Monitor and evaluate policy and regulatory initiatives to ensure effective implementation.
• Prepare high-quality correspondence, reports, publications and briefings for the Council and the Commissioner.
• Contribute to the identification of emerging policy issues and development of strategic solutions.
• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure alignment with broader Council objectives and government priorities.
• Represent the Secretariat in meetings and consultations with senior government, legal and regulatory stakeholders.
• Provide advice and support to committees and working groups to progress key projects.
• Work as part of a small, expert policy team embedded in the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and enjoy a collegial, flexible and professional environment focused on integrity, public service, and legal excellence.

What we're looking for

• Strong experience in developing and implementing complex policy or legislative projects within government or regulatory environments.
• Proven ability to research, analyse and provide high quality, evidence-based policy advice on legal or regulatory issues.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the capacity to influence and negotiate effectively across multiple jurisdictions.
• Legal qualifications (Bachelor of Laws or equivalent) and sound knowledge of government processes and the legislative framework.

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

Download the role description.

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

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply - you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

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 an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) addressing the 2 targeted questions below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:

• Describe a complex policy project which you have worked on. What were the challenges, and how did you manage these?

• Describe a project you worked on where you had to manage competing stakeholder views. What approach did you take to reconciling these views and progressing the project?

Applications close: Sunday, 16 November 2025 at 11:59pm AEDT.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Ella Howard 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 Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

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.