Title:  Senior Legal Adviser

About the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC)
We work for the people of Victoria by helping the Government achieve its strategic objectives. We do this by supporting the Premier, the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, as well as the Cabinet. Our vision is to be recognised and respected leaders in whole-of-government policy and performance.

An exciting opportunity exists for a talented and passionate individual to join the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), as a Senior Legal Adviser at the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC).

The Office of the General Counsel

OGC navigates legal and policy challenges with technically outstanding legal advice and practical, evidence-based solutions. We deliver legal expertise from the centre of Government.

Our key stakeholders are the Premier, other Ministers supported by DPC, the DPC Secretary and other DPC branches.

Our legal work involves advising the Premier’s and other DPC Ministers’ portfolios on complex public law, corporate, legislative, and legal policy issues. OGC also includes the DPC Freedom of Information and Privacy team, which manages FOI requests to the DPC and our Ministers and provides privacy advice.

As a central agency, the scope of work covers a diverse and wide range of public law, corporate, and legislation and policy issues. This includes administrative and constitutional law; parliamentary processes; electoral law and processes; powers of the Premier and Governor; inquires and royal commissions; freedom of information; data, privacy authorisations and delegations; equal opportunity and human rights; subordinate legislation; Aboriginal cultural heritage; native title; government project matters; employment law; litigation; contracts (including procurement, ICT, and grant agreements); development of legislation, and legal policy matters relevant to DPC’s responsibilities.

About the role

Reporting to the nominated managers of the Public Law Team, Legislation and Policy Team, and the Corporate Legal Team, the Senior Legal Adviser will be a generalist senior lawyer in DPC’s high-performing Office of the General Counsel. This role will involve:

• Providing high profile legal and policy advice at the centre of Government
• Being a key member of a high-performing team
• Leading and supporting the development and implementation of significant legislative proposals
• Delivering sensitive policy and legal advice to the Premier and other DPC Ministers

About you

As our ideal candidate you will have:

• Extensive experience as a government lawyer, with strong skills in delivering clear, high-quality legal and policy advice to Ministers, government agencies, and senior public sector leaders on public law, legislation, legal policy, or corporate legal matters.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in delivering practical, solutions-focused support to help clients achieve their goals, while building strong relationships and effectively managing and negotiating with stakeholders.
• Strong ability to prioritise tasks, manage competing deadlines, and handle both urgent issues and long-term projects effectively.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, while supporting managers and mentoring junior lawyers.

Mandatory requirements

• You must be admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer and hold a Victorian practising certificate.

For more details regarding this position, please see attached position description here for the key selection criteria to address in application.

How to apply

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59 pm on Thursday 26th February 2026. All applications should include:

• a resume
• a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within two pages)

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

Other relevant information

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DPC has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DPC employees be fully vaccinated. 

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check.

DPC actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people with disabilities. All roles at DPC can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.

How to apply
Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on Thursday 26th February 2026. All applications should include:
a resume; and
a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages)

Other relevant information
To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing role is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. 
Preferred applicants will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form, a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.
DPC actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DPC can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.