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Principal Legal Officer

Job Req ID

Home Affairs - 137893

 

Location

ACT; NSW; NT; QLD; SA; TAS; VIC; WA 

 

Employment Type

Ongoing (Permanent), Full-time 

 

Classification

Principal Legal Officer - $157,938.00 and $177,318.00 plus 15.4% super (part time pro-rata)

 

Contact Officer

Josefina Wellings Booth on 02 6264 1200 or josefina.wellingsbooth@homeaffairs.gov.au  

 

Office Arrangements

Flexible  - Flexible working arrangements can be negotiated in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement and the operational requirements of the role.
 

Applications close on 03/06/2025 at 11:59pm AEST (midnight) - Late applications will not be accepted.

 

About our opportunity

 

This process is being used to fill 3 immediate position/s. 

Applicants suitable for the role but not offered the position for the current vacancy may be placed in a merit list or pool to fill similar vacancies for up to 18 months anywhere in ACT; NSW; NT; QLD; SA; TAS; VIC; WA.
 

About our team

 

Group Manager Legal | Group Manager Legal | Migration & Citizenship Litigation | Community Safety Order (CSO) Taskforce

 

On 8 December 2023, the Migration Amendment (Bridging Visa Conditions and Other Measures) Act 2023 (Cth) came into effect. Relevantly, this Act inserted Division 395 into the Criminal Code. Division 395 establishes the Community Safety Order Scheme (CSO Scheme), which empowers the Minister for Immigration to apply to a Supreme Court of a State or Territory for a Community Safety Order (CSO) for Community Safety Orders (CSOs) in respect of non-citizens previously convicted for a "serious violent or sexual offence" or a "serious foreign violent or sexual offence" where their circumstances meet other statutory conditions.
 
There are two types of CSOs available under the scheme, namely:

 

  • Community safety detention orders (CSDO), the effect of which is to commit a person subject to such an order to detention in a prison for the period the order is in force
  • Community safety supervision orders (CSSO), the effect of which is to impose on a person residing in the community who is subject to such an order of certain conditions, the contravention of which is an offence.

 

The CSO Taskforce was established to administer the new Commonwealth Community Safety Order Scheme. The work of the Taskforce includes assessing matters against the requirements of the CSO Scheme for consideration of an application; conducting work for the purpose of the consideration of a potential application and in preparation of a potential application, managing the proceedings if an application is made in partnership with and by instructions to external legal services providers, and advising on or enabling the work of program and operational areas related to the implementation of the scheme.

 

Please visit our website for more information about the Department of Home Affairs or Australian Border Force.

 

Our ideal candidate

 

This is a rare opportunity to do quasi-criminal and administrative law work focused on protecting the Australian Community, while considering novel and complex legal and policy issues to contribute to solving them.

 

Capabilities:

 

  • Exceptional technical legal skills including interpreting legislation and judgments
  • Critical thinker and creative problem-solver. Ability to rely on knowledge and experience to analyse complex legal issues with operational implications, and contribute to the development of solutions
  • Experience in managing complex and high profile litigation and providing legal advice or other legal services
  • Ability to communicate complex legal information and advice it's implications of that information in a persuasive and concise matter to a range of audiences
  • Responsive to change and flexible, and able to work under pressure
  • Ability to provide leadership and meaningful direction and support to teams and create a supportive, collaborative work environment
  • Ability to effectively exercise high level judgement and common sense in litigation related matters.

 
The following skills will be considered highly advantageous:

 

  • Critical and creative thinking
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral
  • Leadership skills
  • Project managing skills to progress complex and dynamic litigation and related work. 

 

Duties and responsibilities

 

  • Provide effective leadership to and management of the relevant Section
  • Ensure that the arguments made before the Courts are consistent and in compliance with the Legal Services Directions 2017
  • Provide legal advice on complex or highly sensitive matters including advising on minimising legal risk
  • Provide instructions to the Department's external legal service providers
  • Provide support to the Assistant Secretary and General Counsel as and when required and have an understanding of the strategic and operational issues of significance to the work of the Taskforce
  • Maintain productive relationships with internal client areas, other Commonwealth stakeholders and external legal service providers.

 

Additional information

 

Essential Qualifications:

 

  • A degree in law from an Australian university, or a comparable overseas degree which is recognised in Australia for admission to practice
  • Practising Certificate or eligibility to attain one.

 

How to apply

 

Submit your application and CV through the Home Affairs’ recruitment system (ourPeople) before the closing date on 03/06/2025 at 11:59pm (midnight) AEST  – Late applications will not be accepted.

As part of your application you will be required to prepare and submit a one-page applicant response document in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

 

  • How your skills, knowledge, and experience will be relevant to this role
  • Why you are interested in the role and what you can offer us
  • Any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role


Applicant response documents must be a minimum 11pt font in MSWord or PDF format, include your full name and the Requisition Number – 137893 in the document footer.

Prior to preparing your response it is recommended you review the Work Level standards relevant to the classification you are applying to. It may also be useful to refer to the Integrated Leadership Systems information relevant to the classification.
 

 

Eligibility

 

To be eligible for the position you must be an Australian Citizen.

 

The successful candidate will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance, and:
 

  • ABF Workers will also be required to obtain and maintain an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC).
  • Home Affairs Workers will also be required to obtain and maintain an Onboarding Check.
     

In certain circumstances, an Employment Suitability Clearance (ESC) may be required in addition to, or in lieu of, an Onboarding Check, which will be determined by the delegate as necessary.  

 

Diversity and inclusion

 

The Department is committed to workforce diversity and applicants who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, come from a diverse cultural or linguistic background or have a disability are encouraged to apply.

 

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability

 

Technical assistance

 

For technical enquiries please call or email for assistance:

 

 

Please include any applicable screen captures, a response will be provided during business hours.

 

Notes

 

The Department of Home Affairs offers an attractive remuneration package, including salary, superannuation benefits and flexible working conditions appropriate to the level of the position. The Australian Public Service (APS) Employee Value Proposition (EVP) highlights the top reasons our employees enjoy working in the APS.

 

The Department may provide relocation assistance to eligible APS employees required to relocate. The level of assistance will vary depending on the reason for relocating and your personal circumstances. For further information please enquire with the contact officer listed in the advertisement.

 

Information about employment and advice on how to apply for vacancies can be obtained from the Department’s website at https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/careers

 

Candidates should be aware that in roles where vaccination against COVID-19 is required by public health orders/directions or other legislation proof of vaccination will be required. If a candidate is not fully vaccinated or is unwilling to be vaccinated within a reasonable time period, they may not be offered that role.

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