APS5 Government Lawyer
About the role
The APS5 Government Lawyer contributes to the delivery of legal services and advice on matters impacting AFSA. Operating with a degree of autonomy, the role is supported by more senior legal staff to ensure consistency and professional development.
Key responsibilities include supporting legal case management, contributing to dispute resolution processes, conducting legal research, preparing written advice, and drafting briefs and submissions. This position sits within a professional legal team committed to upholding the integrity and values of the Australian Public Service.
Key accountabilities
As an APS5 Government Lawyer you will work under the direction and supervision of Senior Government Lawyers and be responsible for:
- undertaking research and analysis, drafting routine legal documents, and preparing advice where required to support the agency's litigation matters
- providing corporate legal services to AFSA in a broad range of areas including advising on litigation matters, contracts, and MOUs
- providing legal analysis and advice for the preparation of briefs and submissions
- managing group mailboxes and responding to client enquiries in the first instance
- representing the Legal section and AFSA in internal and external forums
- contribute to continuous improvement activities to ensure work practices are compliant with relevant legislation and consistent with best practice.
Qualifications and experience
Essential
- Bachelor of law degree or equivalent
- Admission as a legal practitioner, however described, of the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory
- Holder of (or eligible to hold) a current practicing certificate.
Desirable
- Ideally 1–2 years' experience in litigation and law practice, preferably in a government environment and with knowledge of, or experience in, administrative and insolvency law
- Experience in supporting senior lawyers.
All duties will be performed in accordance with:
- the APS Values, Code of Conduct and Employment Principles
- WHS obligations, taking responsibility for own health and safety and that of others
- AFSA's risk management framework and relevant legislation, including guiding others to identify and mitigate foreseeable risks.
Why AFSA?
You will enjoy excellent conditions including:
- generous superannuation (15.4%)
- a modern work environment
- access to Employee Assistance Provider
- Flexibility to balance work and personal life (including working from home arrangements and flexible start and finish times where applicable).
We are a workplace committed to providing an environment that values diversity and supports staff to reach their full potential. We encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disability. At AFSA we encourage every employee balance their family commitments and personal interests with flexible working options.
Eligibility
Please note that this opportunity is open only to Australian Citizens. The successful applicant must have or be willing to undergo a security clearance to the level of Baseline as a condition of employment. To satisfy character requirements, all AFSA employees must undergo a police records check.
Where a person has received a redundancy benefit from APS agency employment and their corresponding redundancy benefit period has not expired, they may be ineligible for employment. We encourage applications from people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disability.
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job.
For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.
How to apply
Applications close Sunday 26 October 2025 at 11:59 PM AEDT.
To apply for this role, please click the 'Apply' button. You'll be relocated to our application portal, which also provides step-by-step instructions to guide you through the application process.