EL1 Senior Lawyer

About the opportunity 

The position offers exposure to the public sector, including the National Intelligence Community, law enforcement and other regulatory agencies, and central policy departments, as well as the private sector, including large financial institutions and other regulated entities.

AUSTRAC’s in-house Legal team supports the agency in the performance of its regulatory, intelligence and corporate functions and provides advice on a broad range of legal issues, including:

• providing legal advice on enforcement related matters and litigation
• statutory interpretation
• administrative law, and
• privacy, commercial, contract, property and employment law.

The Senior Lawyer position reports directly to a Director, Legal, and may have supervisory responsibilities.

There are 3 distinct streams within the Legal team:

1. Intelligence & Corporate
2. Guidance & Reform; and
3. Regulation, Enforcement & Litigation

The Legal team requires flexibility and fluidity in the way in which legal work is allocated within and across the legal streams.

What are we looking for

While we are looking for these capabilities, we consider transferrable skills and encourage applicants who embody AUSTRAC's culture and values to apply.

• Legal Qualification (Mandatory) - Admission on the roll of an Australian State or Territory Supreme Court or the High Court of Australia. Must hold, or be eligible to hold, a practising certificate.
• Legal Experience - A minimum of 5 or more years of PAE is required, and demonstrated skills and experience in one or more of the following areas will be highly regarded: administrative law, procurement and contract, privacy and freedom of information, litigation, and regulatory compliance and enforcement.
• Apply Expertise - Continually develops and applies specialist and technical expertise to achieve business objectives, sharing with others freely, and ensures work area output meets relevant policy or procedural quality requirements.
• Communicates Effectively - Expresses information clearly, speaks fluently and presents views with skill and confidence, and effectively adapts communication style to meet the audience’s needs.

Key Duties

The Senior Lawyer, supported by their Director, may be responsible for:

• Leading and developing a team of lawyers to provide independent, strategic and client-centric legal services.
• Supporting and delivering advice and litigation services on matters in respect of current and emerging legal issues relating to AUSTRAC’s regulatory, intelligence, enforcement and corporate functions.
• Developing and implementation of procedures and systems to enhance the efficiency of AUSTRAC’s in-house legal practice.
• Supporting the management, instruction and engagement of external legal providers.
• Demonstrating a client centric approach on a range of matters with all levels of internal and external stakeholders and ensuring compliance with service level standards.
• Contributing to the development and delivery of training to build legal literacy and capacity within AUSTRAC.
• Supervising and supporting junior lawyers.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for this role you:

• Must be an Australian citizen at the time you apply.
• Will need to undertake AUSTRAC’s pre-engagement checks.
• Will need to obtain and maintain an ongoing Baseline Security Clearance

Affirmative Measures

This vacancy is also being advertised under Affirmative Measures, to apply under Affirmative Measures you must be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. For more information, please visit the APSC Guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.

To be eligible to apply under Affirmative Measures provisions:

• Must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
• Provide evidence that you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

*Please indicate in your application if you are applying under Affirmative Measures, by ticking the relevant box in the application form.

Why AUSTRAC?

Flexible, hybrid work environment: We are committed to providing flexibility in working arrangements to recognise the importance of balancing work commitments with family, caring and other personal commitments of employees outside of work. AUSTRAC currently operates under a hybrid work arrangement.

Diversity and Inclusion: Our core values of diversity, inclusion, and integrity drive everything we do. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and those of mature age. We recognise that united behaviours and mindsets will support our agency today and guide us into the future.

Employer of Choice: We have a strong reputation as an Employer of Choice, renowned for our exceptional work culture and outstanding employee census results which highlight our dedication to creating a positive and engaging environment.

Closing Date

Applications close at 11:30 pm on 10 August 2025

For enquiries, please contact: Samille Laurence - L&[email protected]