* Work on key government priorities.
* Brief portfolio Ministers, DFAT Executive and other Government agencies.
* The opportunity to represent Australia in international negotiations or litigation.
Applications close at 11:30pm AEDT on Sunday, 1 March 2026.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is seeking skilled legal professionals at the EL1 level for multiple legal positions in the Legal Division and Trade Law and Economic Security Division.
If you are a motivated, passionate, and talented lawyer seeking to further your career, we want to hear from you. In the role of Assistant Director (Legal), you will use your legal skills to inform Government decisions and provide strategic legal advice on issues that contribute to the development and implementation of DFAT’s foreign, trade and development policy and its global corporate management functions. These roles will see you negotiate, advise, and litigate on a diverse range of high profile international, trade, investment, and domestic law issues.
Upon commencement of employment, Assistant Director (Legal) roles require you to have a law degree (or equivalent), from a recognised Australian tertiary education provider, or a degree from an overseas tertiary education provider recognised for admission to practice in Australia. You must be admitted to practice law in an Australian jurisdiction.
We offer a great team environment with a constant stream of interesting and rewarding work across the breadth of the Government’s agenda. We also offer flexible work arrangements, including part-time hours.
The initial vacancies to be filled from this process are based in Canberra. This process may be used to fill roles in other locations in Australia and overseas.
More information on who we are and what we do is available on our website.
For further information, please refer to the Applicant Information Pack.