Legal Adviser

About us

The Department of Treasury and Finance provides economic, financial and resource management advice to help the Victorian Government deliver its policies. We strive for excellence in financial and economic management to improve the lives of all Victorians.

DTF Legal, within the Office of the General Counsel, provides internal legal and advisory services to the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer, the DTF Secretary and board, and other DTF business units. The team advises on the full spectrum of issues faced by our stakeholders. The core responsibilities of the legal team include:

• Supporting the development and implementation of State significant policies (revenue reforms, Treaty, energy transition, housing, industrial relations policy)
• Advising on the delivery of commercial, infrastructure and social policy projects
• Supporting the delivery of legislative projects, including legislation or subordinate instrument projects reform (Commercial and Industrial Property Tax, Gender Responsive Budgeting, State budget, Financial Management Act, PBO Act, SOE Act and SOE Orders, FMA Regulations etc)
• Assisting with disputes and inquiries (High Court constitutional matters, general litigation including class actions against the State, Royal Commissions)
• Managing external legal providers to ensure value and cost effectiveness
• Providing direction on strategic issues such as conflicts of interests, privacy and disclosures

DTF Legal sits within the Office of the General Counsel, alongside the Department’s Freedom of Information and Operations functions, all overseen by the General Counsel.

About the role

In DTF Legal you will, as a generalist lawyer, build on your fundamental legal skills by working across a variety of legal areas, while still having the opportunity to develop a specialisation in one of our key areas of focus.  As a Legal Advisor, you will work closely with senior lawyers and executives in the team, and stakeholders across the department, to provide high quality, timely, pragmatic and solutions-focused support to the DTF divisions. The breadth of work the DTF OGC undertakes, with a range of stakeholders, ensures that a career in the DTF Office of the General Counsel is interesting, challenging and fulfilling.

Key accountabilities

• Working under supervision from a more senior lawyer, you will provide technically sound, solutions-based legal services across the full spectrum of issues faced by the Department and its associated Ministerial portfolios.
• Drafting contracts, legal instruments, correspondence, briefs for Ministers and senior executives, Cabinet submissions and policy proposals, including those for which there is no precedent.
• Researching key legal issues and drafting memorandums of advice.

• Contribute to DTF OGC’s positive culture by working cooperatively and flexibly with a diverse team of lawyers
• Mentor and supervise junior team members (such as junior lawyers, graduates and paralegals) on a range of legal work and practice management tasks, including reporting and other knowledge management initiatives.
• Contribute to DTF OGC’s strategic planning and development.
• Briefing counsel and external legal advisers and monitoring their engagement to ensure that they are providing high quality work within agreed budgets.

• Develop close, effective and open relationships and negotiate effectively with other DTF business units, other departments and agencies.
• Represent and advocate DTF OGC’s views within the Department and to other departments and agencies.

• Supporting senior lawyers on major policy or legislative projects and commercial transactions.
• Undertake other tasks relevant to DTF OGC’s responsibilities, including business development or knowledge management initiatives.

Key Selection Criteria

• Experience providing technically sound, solution-focused legal advice in one or more of the following areas: public and administrative law (including constitutional law); statutory interpretation; commercial contracting; infrastructure projects; mergers and acquisitions; litigation or employment law.
• A proven ability to identify, manage and, where appropriate, escalate legal, policy and commercial risks, and deliver results under pressure where there are competing priorities or incomplete or ambiguous information.
• A strong commitment to service excellence and assisting clients and stakeholders to achieve their organisation’s and project objectives.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, including outstanding relationship management and negotiation skills.
• A strong commitment and proven ability to work collaboratively and flexibly as a member of an energetic, high-performing, busy team.

Experience and qualifications

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

About our culture

We aim to be a model employer providing an inclusive workplace that is understanding and respectful of differences such as gender, identity, race, disability or age. In addition, we are committed to supporting Aboriginal pathways between education and employment.

The Department strives to create an environment that supports a flexible and adaptive workforce. All requests for flexible working arrangements will be considered in line with operational requirements.

Further Information

For more information about the position and key selection criteria, please refer to the position description. If you have specific questions regarding the role, please contact Nimra Waqar – Manager and Principal Legal Adviser

nimra.waqar@dtf.vic.gov.au or 0419 021 454.

How to apply

To apply, select the ‘Apply Now’ button and provide a copy of your resume and cover letter summarising your skills and relevant experience.

Applications close at midnight on 10 March 2026. If you require a copy of this advertisement in an accessible format, please contact the Recruitment team.

Covid-19 Vaccination
DTF 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 DTF has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DTF employees be fully vaccinated.