Solicitor, Legislation

The Solicitor, Legislation supports the development of legislation (primary and secondary legislation, namely Acts of Parliament, Bills, regulations, Orders and instruments in portfolio areas) and other legal projects across a broad range of subject matters in the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA). The nature of the legal work varies in scope and complexity.

This role reports to the co-Managing Principal Solicitors, Legislation, and involves supporting the development of legislation and other related legal projects with supervision. This includes legal research and analysis, legal advice, preparing drafting instructions, reviewing and analysing Bills and various legislative instruments, and providing support to the Manager and Director, Legislation on key projects.

Whether you are a private practice lawyer seeking to transition into government or a current government lawyer (all Australian jurisdictions) looking to deepen your expertise, this role offers a unique professional development opportunity.

For lawyers in private practice, it provides an ideal entry point into the Victorian Public Service. For current VPS employees, the role is available as an external secondment, or fixed term role, for up to 12 months and offers valuable experience in legislation, statutory interpretation, and administrative law to support DEECA’s interesting and varied portfolios. 

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• A law degree
• An Australian lawyer holding (or eligible to hold) an Australian practising certificate under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Victoria) will be considered favourably but is not essential.
• Experience in the development and delivery of legislation (primary and secondary legislation, namely Acts of Parliament, Bills, regulations, Orders and instruments) in a legal or legal policy role will be considered favourably, but is not essential.
• Experience in providing advice on legal and legislative issues in a legal or legal policy role in some of the following practice areas will be considered favourably but is not essential: administrative law and statutory interpretation, environment law, energy and resources law, water law, climate action law, public land use and development, natural resource management and emergency management.

This is a fixed term position available for a period until 6 August 2027. The work location for this position is 2 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

How to Apply:

If you are a current DEECA employee, please apply via DEECA Careers. 

Click the ‘Apply’ button and you'll be redirected to a new platform and create an account.

Applications close 11.59pm on Wednesday, 19 August 2026. 

All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We are unable to consider email or manual applications at this time.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply.  We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace.  If you need support to participate, please contact aboriginal.employment@deeca.vic.gov.au. 

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing.  For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us.