Create a free Lawyers Weekly Jobs account General Counsel (EL2, Principal Government Lawyer) The General Counsel leads the work of Safe Work Australia’s (the Agency) lawyers in various projects and matters to ensure the Agency can deliver its statutory functions and comply with all relevant legislation and Australian Government policies. The General Counsel collaborates with other teams across the Agency to provide practical legal and policy solutions. Leading a small generalist team, the General Counsel supports a positive culture within the Legal Services section and oversees the training and development of its lawyers. The General Counsel manages a small team of Senior Government Lawyers (EL1) and Government Lawyers (APS 6), supported by two part-time paralegals (APS 4). The role reports to the Branch Head of the Legal and Framework Policy Branch, who, along with the General Counsel, is the Head of Legal for the Agency. Candidates must have at least five years of post-admission experience (PAE) and hold (or be eligible for) an unrestricted practising certificate with the ACT Law Society. As the leader of a small, full-service in-house legal advising team, the General Counsel: Provides legal advice to the Agency on proposed amendments to the model WHS laws and related guidance materials. Instructs the Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee on proposed amendments to the model WHS laws. Offers strategic legal advice across the Agency on corporate and governance matters, including Commonwealth procurement and employment law. Manages the section’s practice, including personnel management, budgeting, and resource allocation. Prepares legal reports for Executive approval (e.g., Office of Legal Services Coordination, FOI, and PID reports). Supervises junior lawyers, especially on complex commercial, employment, governance, and WHS issues. Supports the development of legal skills, focusing on statutory interpretation and advice writing. Monitors media, legal cases, and legislative changes relevant to WHS and workers’ compensation law. Keeps abreast of legislation and policy developments related to public sector governance. Provides briefings to the Agency’s Executive on relevant legal issues when appropriate or directed. Performs key leadership and decision-making roles, such as FOI decision-maker, Privacy Officer, and roles under the Fraud and Corruption Plan. J-18808-Ljbffr
