* Canberra, ACT (The agency supports and promotes flexible working, including remote options on negotiation and where appropriate based on the specifics of the role)
* Ongoing/Non-Ongoing (The position is Ongoing, however Non-Ongoing employment may be offered for an initial engagement of up to 12 months)
* $150,252 - $176,995 + Superannuation
About the Branch
The Legal Services section reports to the General Counsel/Chief Risk Advisor and supports the operations of the Clean Energy Regulator through the provision of dedicated in-house legal services. The majority of the Section's work relates to the interpretation and application of the climate change laws. In particular, this involves statutory interpretation, the exercise of functions and powers conferred by those laws and the enforcement of those laws.
The Section also provides legal advice on the formulation and implementation of legislation and operational policy, identification and management of legal risks, and laws and policies relating to the operation of the agency (including the PGPA Act, and FOI Act). The General Counsel is the principal purchaser of external legal services on behalf of the agency and is supported in this task by the Legal Services Section.
The Legal Services Section operates in tight coordination with the rest of the Branch to deliver services including:
* drafting and/or clearing legal documents, including statements of reasons, contracts, legislative instruments and delegations
* coordinating the conduct of administrative and civil action and litigation, and assisting with briefing for criminal prosecutions
* delivering coordinated input into amendments to existing legislation
* advising on FOI and Ombudsman schemes
* coordinating the internal review and complaints management processes
* overseeing the agency's governance framework, including managing strategic and key accountable business committees
* ensuring effective participation in the government's regulatory reform agenda
* managing the agency's risk, internal audit and internal fraud functions and capabilities.
About the Section
By providing the agency with timely and appropriate legal advice, the Legal Services Section supports the agency implementing the programs and initiatives for which it is responsible.
Over the next twelve months, it is anticipated that the key areas of work for the Legal Services Section will be:
* providing legal support and advice in response to requests from staff on legal issues or responsibilities that affect or may affect the performance of agency functions and powers
* drafting and providing strategic legal input and guidance on formulation of legislative instruments and legislative and operational policy
* drafting legal documents, including contracts and delegations
* advising on the agency's compliance with its obligations under the FOI Act and other applicable Commonwealth laws and policies
* procuring external legal and other services to support the operation of the agency, including new initiatives.
Role Responsibilities and Duties
* Ensure the provision high quality, legal and strategic legal advice on a range of complex administrative law, statutory interpretation, compliance, FOI and commercial law issues relevant to the Clean Energy Regulator
* Supervise and develop junior lawyers
* Ensure timely and accurate drafting, development and clearance of legislative instruments, operational guidance materials and regulatory documents and instruments
* Build and maintain effective and productive working relationships with the Executive Leadership Team, as well as officers within the Clean Energy Regulator and external agencies, including external legal providers
* Contribute to the development and delivery of legal training programs to areas of the Clean Energy Regulator in support of their legal needs
* Support the Office of the General Counsel in achieving the objectives, and delivering on the strategies of the Clean Energy Regulator.
Knowledge, Skills and Attributes
Applicants should be admitted as a legal practitioner in the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory and should hold, or be currently eligible to obtain, a restricted practicing certificate issued by the ACT Law Society.
Applications close 11.30pm on Thursday, 9 April 2026