About us The Department of Education (the department) is responsible for delivering and regulating state-wide learning and development services to approximately one-third of all Victorians across the early childhood and school education sectors. The department is also one of Victoria's biggest employers, with approximately 80,000 teaching staff and around 5,000 public service employees. The Legal Division provides highly valued legal services to support the delivery of the department's strategic objectives, key reforms and to manage legal risk. In doing so, Legal Division provides direct, practical and strategic legal advice to portfolio ministers, the secretary, other senior staff and over 1,600 government schools, supporting approximately over 650,000 Victorian Government school students. About the role – fixed term to 30 June 2027 The RRU leads the legal aspects of significant legislative projects including the implementation of proposals to improve child safety in early childhood services in Victoria. The Principal Lawyer, RRU will lead the delivery of legislative projects, including providing expert legal advice with a focus on government law issues, particularly the application of Victorian laws in relation to government administration and the school and early childhood education system. The Principal Lawyer will develop, manage and implement significant legislative projects, including primary legislation and subordinate instruments such as regulations, Ministerial Orders, Orders in Council and other legal instruments, and provide novel and complex legal advice on legislation in the the early childhood education and school portfolios, and other applicable legislation. The successful candidate will: * respond to urgent and important emerging issues * proactively engage with other areas of the department * seek out strategies to support the successful delivery of legislative projects * take a lead role in building and maintaining strategic relationships with senior executives, ministers' offices, central government agencies and other departments, as well as portfolio entities. Why join us? * Meaningful work that is varied, satisfying and rewarding – A career as a government lawyer provides opportunities that are unrivalled by the private sector. Scale, impact and richness of work sets the public sector apart from almost every other employer. To find out more about the wide range of opportunities for bright publicly minded lawyers visit Legal profession | vic.gov.au * Flexible and hybrid working arrangements — Part time, flexible start and finish times, work from home to help manage your work and personal commitments. * Competitive salary – Annual salary increases in line with the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement * Diversity and inclusion - As one of Victoria's largest employers, the department is committed to creating an organisation that is inclusive and ensuring it has a workforce that represents the community it serves. * Values – The department has adopted the public sector values which are set out in the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees, which are Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values underpin how we interact with colleagues, students and families, members of the community, suppliers and government. * Employee assistance program — For emotional, mental and general psychological wellbeing and support How to Apply For more information, please review the attached position description. Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter (no more than 2 pages). Further Information For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application. The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person. Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au. For a confidential discussion regarding the role, please contact Project Director, Kylie Gauvin on (03) 7022 0950. Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence. Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements. Applications close 11:59pm on Tuesday 3rd February 2026.