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About the Aged Care Quality and Safety CommissionThe Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission) is the national regulator of Australian Government aged care services. The Commission is responsible for safeguarding older people, engaging and educating the aged care sector, registering aged care providers and dealing with complaints and feedback about aged care. The Commission offers a variety of interesting and challenging jobs across most capital cities.It is an exciting time to join the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, with major reforms having recently taken effect to improve aged care in Australia. You will be contributing to our role as a rights-based, risk led regulator that supports the government''s objectives of ensuring the safety, dignity and wellbeing of every older person accessing funded aged care services.About the TeamThe Legal Services Branch Purpose and Responsibilities:The Legal Services Branch, led by the Chief Counsel, provides the full scope of legal services relevant to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner''s (the Commissioner) and Complaints Commissioner''s functions, principally in relation to the interpretation and application of the legislation that currently regulates aged care providers, being the Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules 2025. Our role includes advising on the Commissioner''s and Complaints Commissioner''s regulatory activities, administrative law, commercial law, information law and employment law matters, managing the Commission''s involvement in litigation in relevant courts and tribunals as well as engagement with external legal service providers.The Legal Services Branch will work closely with policy and operational units, particularly to support defensible decision making and the implementation of the Commission''s regulatory framework. This will include supporting Commission staff with training programs, where necessary.The FOI, Privacy and Information Section in the Legal Services Branch also is responsible for coordinating FOI requests and advising on privacy matters, as well as overseeing and promoting FOI and privacy awareness/ compliance across the Commission.About the RoleKey Accountabilities Principal LawyerWork with Principal Lawyer colleagues to support the Chief Counsel in providing strategic leadership, training, management, mentoring and support to staff in the Legal Services Branch, and contribute to and oversee strategic initiatives to support the effective operation of the Legal Services Branch and the Commission more broadly.Provide legal advice on complex or sensitive legal matters relating to the performance of the Commissioner''s and Complaints Commissioner''s functions, and undertake legal review of complex legal instruments.Complete second counselling of legal advices prepared by junior and senior lawyers, with the view to building the capacity of legal staff and ensuring the provision of high-quality and accurate advice.Manage the procurement of legal services from external legal providers, conduct case management and client area consultation in relation to merits and judicial review matters, in accordance with the Legal Services Directions 2017 and other requirements.Deliver training to other staff of the Commission, as required, to promote an awareness of legal risks and improve the quality of administrative law decision making.Key Accountabilities Principal Lawyer, Commercial Corporate and EmploymentWork with Principal Lawyer colleagues to support the Chief Counsel in providing strategic leadership, training, management, mentoring and support to staff in the Legal Services Branch, and contribute to and oversee strategic initiatives to support the effective operation of the Legal Services Branch and the Commission more broadly.Provide legal advice on complex commercial and corporate law matters, including drafting or reviewing a range of legal agreements, and advising on intellectual property, confidentiality, probity and conflict of interest matters and compliance with requirements under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and Commonwealth Procurement Rules.Provide legal advice on complex employment law matters under the Fair Work Act 2009 and other relevant legislation.Provide legal advice on complex or sensitive legal matters relating to the performance of the Commissioner''s and Complaints Commissioner''s functions.Complete second counselling of legal advices prepared by junior and senior lawyers, with the view to building the capacity of legal staff and ensuring the provision of high-quality and accurate advice.Manage the procurement of legal services from external legal providers, conduct case management and client area consultation in relation to merits and judicial review matters, in accordance with the Legal Services Directions 2017 and other requirements.Deliver training to other staff of the Commission, as required, to promote an awareness of legal risks and build legal literacy.Position Eligibility Requirements (Selection Criteria):To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate the following:Be admitted as a legal practitioner (however described) of the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory. Be eligible to hold and maintain an unrestricted practising certificate in the jurisdiction in which they practise.Five years post-admission legal experience.Eligibility to hold and maintain a baseline security clearance.Strong leadership and management skills, with an ability to lead teams in dynamic environments and foster a positive, supportive team culture.Established knowledge of areas of law relevant to the Commissioner''s and Complaints Commissioner''s functions and operations; including, for example, administrative law, statutory interpretation and laws governing the management of financial and human resources in a Commonwealth government context.Demonstrated high standard of verbal and written communication, with strong client liaison skills and a proven ability to manage stakeholder relationships and communicate with influence.Demonstrated ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, work effectively under pressure and work effectively in a team environment as well as to work collaboratively with other staff in the Commission.Position Notes:Salary offered will be between $160,491 - $173,378 per annum depending on skills and experience. In addition, 15.4% superannuation will be paid.Only candidates who hold Australian citizenship can apply. Appointment is conditional on successfully completing a national police check. For more information, please visit www.apsc.gov.au/citizenship-apsNon-ongoing opportunity will be offered for an irregular/intermittent term. Opportunities will be offered for varying periods up to 12 months with the option to extend to a total of 24 months.Merit Pool established through this selection process may be used to fill this or future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies.In your application, please provide a statement of claims against the position eligibility requirements (selection criteria) in no more than 750-words, including what strengths you would bring to the role, and a copy of your CV (No more than 3 pages).Please complete the application and submit by 11:30pm Sunday, 22nd February 2026 AEDT.Follow our guidelines for candidate use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) throughout the recruitment process.Please contact our recruitment team on (02) 9633 3262 or [email protected] for assistance with accessing our website or with lodging your application.Specific questions about the roles can be directed to Phil Holmes by emailing [email protected] with Position title in the subject line.Diversity and InclusionThe Commission is committed to fostering a workplace with flexible work arrangements to support a diverse, respectful and inclusive culture for all staff.The Commission recognises the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and is committed to the implementation of our Reconciliation Action Plan. The Commission values the unique knowledge and experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees which strengthens and supports our focus on protecting and enhancing the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of aged care consumers.RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under RecruitAbility you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under RecruitAbility; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the position. For more information, visit provide reasonable adjustments such as access, equipment or other practical support at relevant stages of the recruitment process. Please email [email protected] if you need any adjustments made.Further information:For further information about the Quality Commission, office locations and other related resources, please visit more information on the Australian Public Service, please visit and #J-18808-Ljbffr