Vacancy Details


Overview of the Team

The Regulatory Legal team provides advice and support to Comcare’s regulatory activities, including investigations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) and criminal prosecutions for alleged contraventions of the WHS Act. The team support the Regulatory Operations Group by:

  • providing advice and guidance on evidence gathering, the issuing of statutory notices and investigation procedures (investigations);
  • assisting with the preparation of briefs of evidence (prosecutions);
  • working closely with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution and the Inspector when a prosecution is commenced; and
  • facilitating continuous improvement projects and identifying trends and capability opportunities for inspectors.

Overview of the Role

Under limited supervision, the Senior Legal Adviser is responsible for providing legal support to investigations, inspections and other regulatory activity conducted under the WHS Act and assisting with the conduct of prosecutions commenced under that Act. The Senior Legal Adviser is also responsible for providing mentoring, support, and supervision to more junior members of the team.

The Senior Legal Adviser will manage their own workload in a manner consistent with the APS Values and Code of Conduct, the Legal Services Directions 2017 and internal Comcare procedures.

The primary responsibilities include:

  1. Manage case load and provide client focused legal advice and support, including supervising team members, on complex legal matters regarding work health and safety law, evidence law, and criminal procedure matters related to WHS Act investigations and prosecutions.
  2. Develop and maintain internal and external relationships that manage risk for Comcare.
  3. Demonstrate strong verbal and written legal communication skills, and fostering teamwork and collaboration across the organisation, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
  4. Draft reports and/or briefs, update Legal Group reporting documents, contribute to business planning, and formulate recommendations on legal and policy issues.
  5. Participate in corporate learning and development activities.
  6. Promote workplace safety, equity and diversity and environment practices in the workplace.

Mandatory Qualifications

  • Undergraduate degree in law.
  • Admission as a legal practitioner of the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory (five years or more post admission experience is desirable).
  • Current restricted practising Certificate or ability to obtain one within three months.

Eligibility and Specific Conditions of Employment

  1. Australian citizenship.
  2. Character clearance (police records check).
  3. Health clearance.
  4. Six months probationary period for new engagements.
  5. Ability to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 Security Clearance.
  6. Mandatory Qualifications (as above)

How to apply

Please review the Job Information Pack below and provide a statement of claims with your responses outlining what you could bring to this position including your skills, experience and knowledge relevant to the job specific capabilities and role (maximum 2 pages).