Money_bag A$69,898-A$147,316 p/a (APS3-EL1) + 10% BDCP + Super
home_work On-site
Posted 6 days ago
The Role
General Counsel - Dispute Resolution and Litigation Branch (GC-DRL) in Defence Legal is seeking appropriately qualified, dynamic and motivated APS 3, APS 4, APS 5, APS 6 and EL1 Legal Officers to join the Branch at its Campbell Park office in Canberra. As a Legal Officer you will work collaboratively to manage, assess and advise on a diverse range of litigation and disputes, including sensitive and complex matters. These claims often require management of financial and reputational risk as well as engagement with client groups and external stakeholders. Litigated claims will necessarily involve working closely with external legal service providers and counsel.
About our Team
GC-DRL, within Defence Legal, provides strategic legal advice on all litigation and dispute resolution, on behalf of Defence. GC-DRL is an integrated team of APS lawyers, paralegals, contracted lawyers and administrative staff. The team works on a diverse range of matters, including significant litigation, and regularly engages with a variety of internal client areas, external stakeholders, other areas of Defence Legal, external legal advisers and counsel, while adhering to internal and Court-related deadlines.
Some of the main streams of work in GC-DRL are:
* Managing claims against the Commonwealth including inquests, contractual disputes, commercial claims, personal injury claims, work health and safety matters (including prosecutions), judicial review challenges, debt recovery actions and compensation claims.
* Responding to court orders such as subpoenas and summonses, legislative requests and police requests and search warrants and assisting with the protection of information.
* Managing common law compensation claims relating to alleged historic abuse.
* Managing historic contamination-related claims.
Our Ideal Candidate
* Relevant experience managing litigation and dispute resolution matters (with a minimum of 1-3 years' post-admission experience for APS 3–6 Legal Officers, and 4 years' post-admission experience for EL1 Legal Officers).
* Ideally, a good knowledge of the Commonwealth legal environment.
* An ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing work priorities.
* An ability to adhere to deadlines.
* Excellent attention to detail.
* Good client engagement and relationship management skills.
* Strong analytical and communication skills.
* You are a motivated self-starter.
* A collaborative, positive, team focused and collegiate outlook.
Application Closing Date: Saturday 31 January 2026
For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASG/09547/25 on
About Australian Department of Defence
Waverton, NSW, Australia
Role
The primary role of Defence is to defend Australia against armed attack.
Australia's defence policy is founded on the principle of self-reliance in the direct defence of Australia, but with a capacity to do more where there are shared interests with partners and allies.
Strategic Direction
The Defence White Paper was released on 25 February 2016 together with an Integrated Investment Program and Defence Industry Policy Statement.
Defence White Papers are the Government's most important guidance about Australia's long-term defence capability. They provide an opportunity for the Government and community to understand the the opportunities and challenges for Australia's future defence and security needs.
The White Paper provides a strategy aligned with capability and resources to deliver a future force that is more capable, agile and potent and ready to respond to future challenges.
Source: This is an extract from the company's own website.
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