Senior Government Lawyer

About this role

Services Australia’s (the Agency’s) purpose is to support Australians by efficiently delivering high-quality, accessible services and payments on behalf of government. Our vision is to make government services simple so people can get on with their lives.

The Agency has two Legal Services Divisions – Legal Services Customer and Legal Services Corporate – which operate closely to deliver the Agency’s legal support. We are one of the largest and most diverse in-house legal practices in the Commonwealth, supporting delivery of the Agency’s programs whilst assisting the Agency to understand and manage legal risks.

Our work is varied, complex and exciting. In addition to a broad litigation portfolio (spanning merits review, judicial review, general litigation and enforcement matters), we provide legal support not only for the programs delivered by the Agency (including Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support), but also in relation to the complex and cutting-edge technologies which support the delivery of those programs (including artificial intelligence) and the platforms the Agency supports.

This recruitment is intended to fill vacancies across the Digital Delivery and Privacy Legal, Litigation, and Programs Advisory Legal Branches within the Legal Services Customer Division (the Division).

• Digital Delivery and Privacy Legal Branch : provides legal advice on AI, automation initiatives, privacy, secrecy, data sharing and matters relating to myGov and the Digital Identity Act. • Litigation Branch : manages merits review and judicial review matters in the Administrative Review Tribunal and courts, general court litigation (including matters reported to Comcover) and debt enforcement matters. Also provides legal support on case law developments and to operational areas to improve the accuracy and consistency of decision-making. • Programs Advisory Legal Branch : provides legal advice on all Agency programs and legislation, including Medicare and health programs, Centrelink, Child Support, as well as indemnity and compensation schemes. The branch also advises on Agency delegations, authorisations and statutory appointments.

At all times, our lawyers endeavour to be helpful, respectful and transparent in our engagement with stakeholders.

Our lawyers can broaden their skills and experience through mobility opportunities across the Division, and we also offer a robust professional development program through offerings from both our internal branches and external legal providers.

The Division is inclusive and supports the wellbeing and healthy work/life balance of our lawyers, including by offering flexible working arrangements in a range of locations across Australia.

• For Litigation Branch roles: Prepare complex and/or sensitive legal submissions, court documentation and correspondence. Instruct external legal providers, or represent the Agency, in proceedings. • Provide high level specialist legal advice on complex and/or sensitive matters • Develop, support and maintain stakeholder relationships (including external stakeholders, departmental colleagues and external legal service providers). • Represent the Agency or work area at internal and external forums, including conferences and seminars. • Provide detailed specialist legal and practical assistance in the development of Agency policies, processes and procedures • Lead and manage Government Lawyers, legal graduates and/or interns including in relation to performance, attendance, health and wellbeing. Develop staff capability through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and overseeing quality assurance activities that promote quality decision-making. • Support innovation, champion change and assist in the development and implementation of strategies, operational policy and procedures and change initiatives. • Exercise delegations appropriate to the role in accordance with legislation and Agency guidelines.