Principal Legal Policy Adviser

About Us

Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) serves the government by providing leadership in economic, financial and resource management. We influence outcomes that can have a real impact on people’s lives. We strive for excellence in financial and economic management to improve the lives of all Victorians. We value our people and motivate them to lead, influence, collaborate and innovate.  

DTF upholds and demonstrates the values of the VPS and is the embodiment of VPS leadership. DTF’s values are adopted from the Public Administration Act 2004:   

• Leadership                                                                                         

• Integrity  

• Responsiveness  

• Impartiality 

• Accountability  

• Respect  

• Commitment to Human Rights

About the Branch/Group

Industrial Relations Victoria (IRV) provides strategic industrial relations legislative, policy and technical advice to Government and departments.

IRV develops and reviews regulatory frameworks to support a positive industrial relations environment and fair and productive workplaces, secure work and gender pay equity.  

IRV also oversees industrial relations matters and enterprise bargaining policy and processes across the Victorian public sector. It works towards achieving a positive working environment through engagement with public sector employers, public sector workers and their representatives. 

Provides expert and strategic advice to the Government on private sector industrial relations matters and legislation, workplace relations reforms, emerging issues and risks.  

Leads development and presentation of whole of government submissions to significant Commonwealth and State reviews and inquiries.  

Advocates to the Commonwealth for improvements to the national industrial relations system.  

Develops policy and legislation proposals in wide‑ranging workplace matters including on national labour hire, portable long service, gender pay equity and historic pay undervaluation,  use of non‑disclosure agreements in workplace sexual harassment cases, protections for insecure or vulnerable workers, integrity in public construction, application of road transport contractual chain orders and future of work impacts such as workplace surveillance. 

About the Role

This position is responsible for providing strategic and expert advice on industrial relations policy issues and supporting the development of programs and initiatives to achieve the Government’s industrial relations priorities.

The successful applicant will lead and provide strategic and expert legal policy advice on a broad range of industrial relations issues and reforms impacting the Victorian private sector workforce and legislative reforms to assist Victoria’s participation in the national industrial relations system and state/federal relations. This may include provision of advice and support of major inquiries, reviews and related implementation, including supporting Government action and policy development, Apprenticeship and Traineeship reforms, and policy related to news ways of working and emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, workplace surveillance, reforms to Fair Work laws, secure work and protections.

The successful applicant will demonstrate experience and expertise in the provision of high-quality legal policy advice combined with a comprehensive knowledge of industrial relations matters and legislative processes; high level analytical and conceptual skills; a proactive, strategic approach, and excellent communication and writing skills.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead and manage industrial relations legislation, policy, programs and initiatives to achieve the Government's priorities affecting the private sector.
• Provide high level legislative and legal policy advice to Ministers and senior DTF staff on industrial relations issues affecting the private sector.
• Prepare high-quality ministerial briefs, written reports and correspondence on industrial relations matters.
• Develop and maintain networks and relationships with key external and Government stakeholders regarding industrial relations issues and regulation.
• Engage and manage external legal consultants or other specialists as required.
• Assist in representing the Department and the Victorian Government in meetings, conferences and seminars about specific industrial relations issues and initiatives.
• Participate in cross-functional projects in IRV and the Department to address specific issues or introduce reforms.

About You

• We are seeking applicants who have demonstrated experience from the following criteria: Demonstrated relevant expertise in the provision of strategic and legal policy advice on complex and sensitive issues to senior stakeholders and an excellent understanding of government legal policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks, requirements and processes.
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical and written communication skills and a proven ability to provide pragmatic, concise, written and verbal policy advice based on comprehensive research.
• Proven ability to negotiate and influence others to achieve strategic objectives and high-level capability in building strong, productive relationships and to engage stakeholders.
• A willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities with the ability to meet deadlines while working in pressured situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team environment, to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities with the ability to meet deadlines while working in a pressured situation, in an environment that is complex and ambiguous.

Mandatory requirements

• Tertiary qualifications in law, industrial relations or economics is highly desirable.
• Current knowledge and experience in workplace and industrial relations would be highly regarded.

This role is a  fixed term position. This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

You must be an Australian citizen, as this role requires a security clearance.

For more information, please see the Position Description

How to apply 

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on 25th of October 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. DTF 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 DTF can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.