Positions vacant

As a service to our members, we maintain this page to disseminate information about legal roles and scholarship opportunities available in the ACT region.

Members of the Law Society may list jobs on this page for free. Non-members may also list jobs on this page, but a small fee will be charged. 

To advertise a job on this page, please contact memberconnect@actlawsociety.asn.au 

Positions vacant

Roles: 
Solicitor (Government Solicitor 1) – New to practice PQE – Salary Range $89,677 to $131,720
Senior Solicitor (Government Solicitor 2) – 2+ years PQE - Salary range $137,799 - $164,314 
Principal Solicitor (Government Solicitor 3) – 5+ years PQE – Salary range $171,626 to $193,478

Are you interested in temporary employment with the ACT Government Solicitor (ACTGS) and broadening your government legal expertise?  If so, you are invited to submit your curriculum vitae for placement on the ACTGS’ Temporary Employment Register.

How to apply: If you are interested in being placed on the Temporary Employment Register, please email your curriculum vitae and completed Temporary Employment Register Form to ACTGSO@act.gov.au.

More information: available here.


Please contact ACTGSHR@act.gov.au if you have any questions.

SPA Australia, which acquired Proximity in 2025, is looking for Freedom of Information (FOI) Lawyers to join our Legal Group. Our Legal Group is a go-to for Commonwealth legal teams requiring expertise and support on complex matters specialising in administrative law, commercial law, information law, and litigation.

 

About the role

  • Work with government clients to provide expert legal and strategic advice on complex FOI matters.
  • Process FOI requests and requests for internal review to ensure compliance with the FOI Act.
  • Consult with external stakeholders as required.
  • Manage reviews of FOI decisions by the OAIC, including drafting submissions.
  • Manage a caseload of FOI matters.
  • Engage with internal stakeholders, other Commonwealth agencies and external law firms.
  • Develop and deliver legal training to support capability uplift.

 

Where your legal career goes further

Here are a few more reasons to join us:

  • Variety – our legal secondment model allows you to work across the Commonwealth.
  • Flexible working options – including permanent and contract roles to suit your lifestyle.
  • Reward and recognition programs – we offer competitive salaries reviewed annually, performance bonuses, and a referral bonus of up to $10,000.
  • Wellbeing – whether it’s hybrid flexibility, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, or a generous health and wellbeing benefit, we support the person, not just the lawyer.
  • Learning and growth – your career path based on readiness, not just KPIs. Access transparent progression, study support, and on-the-job learning from industry leaders.
  • Collegiate support – reach out to and receive support from experienced colleagues across our Legal Group.
  • Practice with purpose – from pro bono opportunities and environmental initiatives, to volunteering for our community partners, we take our impact on our local community and society seriously.

 

You will bring:

  • A minimum of 5 years’ information law, including FOI, experience within, or for, the Commonwealth or a State Government.
  • A restricted (minimum) Australian legal practising certificate (ACT, NSW, or VIC).
  • An AGSVA security clearance (Baseline minimum) or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

 

Why SPA Australia?

  • Choose the work that excites you.
  • Flat structure, no egos, and a team player-mindset, always.
  • A commitment to your career progression, professional development and wellbeing.
  • Wrap-around support from a dedicated Legal Practice Management team.

 

SPA Australia

Systems Planning and Analysis, Australia (SPA Australia) is a leading provider of integrated consulting, legal, commercial, and analytics services to government. Our multidisciplinary approach, combined with trusted advisory and leading-edge technology and analysis, takes our clients further.

 

In 2025, SPA acquired Proximity, a well-established and highly regarded consultancy with specialist expertise in delivering legal, consulting, and commercial advisory services to government.

 

For more than five decades, Systems Planning & Analysis Inc (SPA), SPA Australia’s parent company, has supported government clients across the world to navigate a myriad of complex challenges. Today, SPA has more than 3,300 employees across 15 offices in the US, UK, and Australia, with over 130 employees in Australia alone.

 

Keen to know more? 

To find out more or to have a confidential discussion, please contact Loretta Pabian at careers@au.spa.com

 

SPA Australia, which acquired Proximity in 2025, is looking for Government Lawyers to join its Legal Group. Our Legal Group is a go-to for Commonwealth legal teams requiring expertise and support on complex matters specialising in administrative law, commercial law, information law, and litigation.

Where your legal career goes further

We Work Side-by-side With Government Clients To Solve Complex Problems That Support The Public Good. If You’re a Lawyer Looking For Fulfilling Work, Here Are Just a Few More Reasons To Join Us

  • Variety – our legal secondment model allows you to work across the Commonwealth.
  •  Flexible working options – including permanent and contract roles to suit your lifestyle.
  •  Reward and recognition programs – we offer competitive salaries reviewed annually, performance bonuses, and a referral bonus of up to $10,000.
  •  Wellbeing – whether it’s hybrid flexibility, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, or a generous health and wellbeing benefit, we support the person, not just the lawyer.
  •  Learning and growth – your career path based on readiness, not just KPIs. Access transparent progression, study support, and on-the-job learning from industry leaders.
  •  Collegiate support – reach out to and receive support from experienced colleagues across our Legal Group.
  •  Practice with purpose – from pro bono opportunities and environmental initiatives, to volunteering for our community partners, we take our impact on our local community and society seriously.

You Will Bring

  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience in public law, commercial law, information law, or litigation within, or for, the Commonwealth or a State Government.
  •  A restricted (minimum) Australian legal practising certificate (ACT, NSW, or VIC).
  •  An AGSVA security clearance (Baseline minimum) or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

 Why SPA Australia?

  •  Choose the work that excites you.
  •  Flat structure, no egos, and a team player-mindset, always.
  •  A commitment to your career progression, professional development and wellbeing.
  •  Wrap-around support from a dedicated Legal Practice Management team.

SPA Australia

Systems Planning and Analysis, Australia (SPA Australia) is a leading provider of integrated consulting, legal, commercial, and analytics services to government. Our multidisciplinary approach, combined with trusted advisory and leading-edge technology and analysis, takes our clients further.

In 2025, SPA acquired Proximity, a well-established and highly regarded consultancy with specialist expertise in delivering legal, consulting, and commercial advisory services to government.

For more than five decades, Systems Planning & Analysis Inc (SPA), SPA Australia’s parent company, has supported government clients across the world to navigate a myriad of complex challenges. Today, SPA has more than 3,300 employees across 23 offices in the US, UK, and Australia, with over 130 employees in Australia alone.

Keen to know more?

To find out more or to have a confidential discussion, please contact Loretta Pabian at careers@au.spa.com

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

  • providing high - level specialist legal advice on administrative law , regulatory and public sector matters
  •  drafting and reviewing legal and legislative documents
  •  managing a caseload of legal matters
  •  developing strategies, policies, and procedures
  •  engaging with internal stakeholders, other Commonwealth agencies and external law firms
  •  providing instructions in litigation
  •  developing and delivering legal training to support capability uplift .

Qualifications

  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience in public law, commercial law, information law, or litigation within, or for, the Commonwealth or a State Government.
  •  A restricted (minimum) Australian legal practising certificate (ACT, NSW, or VIC).
  •  An AGSVA security clearance (Baseline minimum) or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

The Australian CDC has commenced recruitment for the General Counsel position. This is a critical leadership role that provides strategic legal advice to the Director-General and the broader agency, and leads the CDC's legal function, supporting governance, compliance, and legislative obligations. More information is available at APS Jobs and the  Australian Centre for Disease Control website.

Emloyment opportunity: Senior Lawyer

Advertising entity: Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security

Calsification of role: EL1

Location of role: Barton, ACT

Closing date: Sunday 16 August 2026 at 11:30pm AEST

Contact email: oigis-recruitment@igis.gov.au

Advertisement link: Job Details | APS Jobs

Details of opportunity: 

The Legal and Assurance Branch of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) is a dedicated team that is responsible for the provision and facilitation of legal advice, legal policy support, training, and services to support the IGIS’s statutory functions.

The role involves providing high‑quality legal advice on a range of matters relevant to the operation of the Office, as well as contributing to legislative analysis, reform and policy development affecting the IGIS and the national intelligence community.

The role requires the ability to work with a high degree of autonomy, exercise sound judgement, and operate effectively in a small, highly sensitive environment.

The salary for this position will be based on the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 and negotiated based on skills and experience. The IGIS is able to offer attractive arrangements for the right candidate and has generous allowances for health and wellbeing, in recognising our unique operating environment.

 

 

At Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), every role contributes to our mission to protect lives, support safe maritime operations, and safeguard Australia’s marine environment.

 

We are Australia’s national agency responsible for maritime safety, protection of the marine environment, and maritime and aviation search and rescue. We regulate vessel safety and seafarer qualifications, provide the infrastructure for safe navigation in Australian waters, and coordinate national search and rescue services. These outcomes are enabled by strong corporate, digital and specialist capabilities that support our operational work nationwide.

 

With around 500 employees across Australia, AMSA operates in a complex, highly regulated environment and offers meaningful careers with national reach and long-term impact. Learn more at https://amsa.gov.au.

 

 

About the Role

 

As Principal Solicitor – Procurement and Contracts, you will provide trusted, independent and risk-based legal advice that supports AMSA in achieving its strategic objectives and navigating complex regulatory challenges. You will play a key role in identifying and managing legal risk, ensuring AMSA’s operations are conducted in accordance with legislative and policy requirements. With a specialist focus on Commonwealth procurement and contracting, you will provide expert legal guidance to support sound decision-making and deliver best-practice procurement outcomes for the organisation.

 

In this role you will:

  • Provide high-level legal advice on complex legislative, operational, corporate and governance matters to support effective decision-making across AMSA.
  • Provide specialist legal advice and point-of-first-contact guidance on Commonwealth procurement, contracting and commercial arrangements for all intermediate and high-level procurements across AMSA.
  • Develop and maintain procurement frameworks, policies, guidance materials and contract templates that support best-practice outcomes.
  • Provide practical legal guidance and training to build procurement and contracting capability across AMSA.
  • Collaborate with colleagues by contributing to legal advice and providing second counsel on complex matters. 

 

The key duties of the position include:

 

 

What We're Looking For

You will bring:

  • A law degree from an Australian tertiary institution (or a comparable overseas qualification), admission to practise as a barrister or solicitor in an Australian State or Territory, and a current practising certificate.
  • At least seven years' post-admission experience, with extensive experience in Commonwealth procurement and contracting, especially in a statutory authority.
  • A detailed understanding of the broad range of legal issues relevant to a national regulator operating in a complex legislative and policy environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
  • Australian Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 security clearance.
  • Behaviours aligned with One AMSA values and ways of working

For further details, please refer to the position description. Information about our terms and conditions of employment are contained in the AMSA Enterprise Agreement 2024 - 2027

 

What We Offer at AMSA

At AMSA, we support our people to do their best work through:

  • Competitive remuneration and salary packaging options
  • 15.4% employer superannuation contribution
  • Generous leave entitlements with 20 days annual leave plus paid Christmas shutdown
  • Paid parental leave with 18 weeks for primary and 11 weeks for secondary carer (increasing to 14 weeks from 1 March 2026)
  • Wellbeing focus with health reimbursements, flu vaccinations and an Employee Assistance Program for you and your family
  • Flexible work including work from home arrangements
  • Career development including training, study assistance, paid professional memberships.
  • Opportunity to connect, collaborate, and make a difference through AMSA’s staff-led networks

 

One AMSA: Shaping Our Future Together

One AMSA is our commitment to creating a workplace that is safe, respectful and inclusive – where every employee feels valued, supported and empowered to contribute. It shapes how we work together and ensures collaboration, trust, and shared purpose across AMSA.

 

How to Apply

 

To apply, visit the Careers at AMSA portal and click ‘Apply’ on the job listing before 11:55pm AEST on Sunday 26 July 2026. 

 

You will need to provide:

  • A resume (maximum 3 pages)
  • A cover letter (up to 600 words) outlining your suitability based on the key responsibilities and capabilities required for the role.

For further information about the role, contact Chris Guselli on (02) 62795689 or chris.guselli@amsa.gov.au

 

For questions about the recruitment process, please contact recruitment@amsa.gov.au.

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted, as AMSA recruitment is managed internally.

 

AMSA does not engage staff under the Public Service Act 1999. AMSA engages employees under the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Act 1990 and our remuneration arrangements are specific to AMSA.

AMSA7 (EL2 Equivalent)

$154,955 - $179,636 + 15.4% super

Canberra, Ongoing

 

 

The Victims Advisory Board (VAB) is calling for expressions of interest to fill three vacancies on the board:

  • 1x position for representative of victims’ services groups (this includes victims with lived experience) and;

  • 2x positions for people of different gender to represent the interests of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

The conditions of appointment are that members cannot be employed in the ACT Public Service and that they must be employed, practice or live in the ACT.

For context, the VAB functions to advise the Minister for Human Rights on policies, priorities and strategies for the acknowledgement, protection, and promotion of the interests of victims of crime. It is set up by Part 4A of the Victims of Crime Act 1994 and all community member positions on the board are voluntary.

The full advertisement for these vacancies and details for how to apply is available on the ACT Jobs board here, with applications open until 11:59pm on 27 August 2026. We would be grateful if you could circulate this to anybody you know who might be interested or suitable for these roles. We would also welcome any suggestions for further promotion.

 

Position: Associate or Senior Associate

Employer name: DDCS Lawyers

Location: Acton, ACT

Contact: management@ddcslawyers.com.au

Link to position information: Associate / Senior Associate Job in Acton, Canberra ACT - SEEK

 

At DDCS Lawyers, we believe legal expertise is only part of what makes an exceptional family lawyer.

The rest is listening. Understanding. Perspective. Calm under pressure. Helping people move forward with confidence.

If that’s how you practice, we’d like to meet you.

We’re looking for someone who:

  • Has approximately 3 – 8+ years post-admission experience (Associate or Senior Associate)
  • Enjoys family law and wants to build genuine expertise
  • Thinks strategically and communicates with empathy
  • Values collaboration
  • Enjoys mentoring junior lawyers or is ready to develop these skills
  • Wants to contribute to a positive, high-performing culture.

You’ll work on complex parenting and property matters, financial agreements and sensitive disputes that genuinely impact people’s lives.

You’ll have autonomy. Support when you need it. And colleagues who enjoy working together.

 

Internal positions vacant

 

Scholarship opportunities