APS6, Government Lawyer
About AFSA
The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) supports confidence in Australia's personal insolvency and personal property securities systems through regulation, service delivery and stewardship. AFSA is a modern national regulator committed to delivering trusted outcomes for government, business and the Australian community.
About the Role
As an APS 6 Government Lawyer, you will deliver high-quality legal advice and services that support AFSA's regulatory, operational and corporate functions.
Working across a diverse range of legal matters, you will provide practical, risk-based advice, manage litigation and dispute resolution matters, and contribute to legally sound decision-making.
You will work closely with Senior and Principal Government Lawyers, as well as stakeholders across the agency, to identify legal risks, solve complex issues and support the achievement of AFSA's strategic objectives.
This is an excellent opportunity to build your expertise across government legal practice while contributing to matters that have a meaningful impact on the Australian community.
Key accountabilities
In this role, you will:
- Provide practical, timely and risk-based legal advice across a broad range of regulatory, corporate and operational matters.
- Manage litigation, tribunal proceedings, dispute resolution matters and legal advisory work to achieve effective outcomes.
- Prepare legal advice, briefs, submissions, correspondence and court or tribunal documents to support sound decision-making.
- Build productive stakeholder relationships, identify legal risks and contribute to the continuous improvement of legal services and capability across AFSA.
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.
Our ideal candidate
Shapes Strategic Direction
- Has a macro view and looks beyond the boundaries of own responsibilities to the team, AFSA, the APS and industry and the broader community.
- Represents and advocates the agency’s position in a professional and specialist context.
- Keeps the end user in mind to shape program outcomes to meet needs.
Communicates simply and clearly
- Communicates clearly in plain English, without using jargon.
- Demonstrates an ability to convey a message succinctly and with empathy, regardless of medium (written, verbal, digital).
- Understand the target audience, and tailors’ message in a way that appeals to them.
Uses information to make evidence-based decisions
- Researches, identifies, and integrates relevant evidence towards finding solutions to the problem.
- Provides unbiased, comprehensive, and accurate advice to others.
- Uses experience and organisation/environmental awareness to analyse what information is important and how it should be used in the decision-making process.
Engages proactively with risk
- Ensures compliance with all legislative and policy requirements to mitigate risk.
- Challenges assumptions and explores possibilities to take calculated risks.
- Consistently demonstrates a proactive and responsible attitude towards the identification and management of risk.
Promotes performance excellence
- Holds self and others responsible for achieving results and agreed outcomes.
- Positively contributes to a culture of high performance, through effective performance management practices.
- Strives for continuous improvement by identifying better ways of working or opportunities to contribute to the work of others.
- Is open, persistent and has genuine debate around critical issues.
Drives innovation and continuous improvement
- Constructively challenges and questions status quo with a view to continually improve the way we work.
- Explores and works with new ideas that will benefit our stakeholders.
Qualifications and experience
Essential
- Bachelor of Laws degree or equivalent qualification.
- Admission as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory.
- Current practising certificate, or eligibility to hold one.
Desirable
- More than two years' experience in legal practice, ideally including litigation, dispute resolution and advisory work.
- Experience working within government, regulatory or public sector environments.
- Knowledge of administrative law, information law, privacy, Freedom of Information, insolvency or regulatory law.
- Experience coaching, mentoring or supporting junior legal practitioners.
Working arrangements
AFSA supports flexible ways of working and is committed to helping employees balance their work and personal commitments. Flexible, hybrid, part-time and job-share arrangements may be available, subject to operational requirements.
Why join AFSA?
At AFSA, you'll contribute to meaningful work that supports Australians while developing your skills in a collaborative and inclusive environment. AFSA values its people and offers:
- 15.4% employer superannuation contribution
- Flexible working arrangements
- Hybrid and remote work options where operationally appropriate
- Competitive salary and conditions under the Enterprise Agreement
- Paid Christmas and New Year shutdown
- Generous leave provisions
- Learning and development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program
- A supportive, inclusive and respectful workplace culture.
AFSA is committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected and able to succeed. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and strongly encourage applications from First Nations peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Eligibility
To be eligible for employment with AFSA, you must:
- Be an Australian citizen
- Successfully complete police record and identity checks
- Obtain and maintain the required security clearance
- Meet any probationary requirements applicable to the role.
Security clearance: Baseline.
How to Apply
Applications close: Sunday, 4 October 2026 at 11:59 pm AEDT.
To apply, select Apply and follow the instructions in the AFSA recruitment portal.
You are required to submit:
- a current resume (maximum 2 pages); and
- a cover letter (maximum 750 words)
Your application should demonstrate how your skills, experience and achievements align with the requirements of the role.
For information about working at AFSA and preparing your application, visit:
Applications exceeding these limits will only be assessed up to the page and word limits specified.
Reasonable adjustments
AFSA is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive recruitment process. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process to support equitable participation.
For assistance, contact PeopleConnect@afsa.gov.au.