APS5/6 Regulatory Lawyers - Litigation (Legal 1 Broadband)

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is the national regulator of Australian Government-funded aged care services.

We protect and enhance the safety, health, wellbeing, and quality of life of people receiving aged care. This includes managing complaints and feedback about the care older people receive.

We help build confidence and trust in aged care, by promoting best practice and a culture of safety and quality in the sector. We register providers and hold them to account if they don’t meet expected standards of care.

We work with providers, workers, older people, their families, and supporters to make sure they understand and uphold older people’s rights.

Meet some of our people and learn more about the Commission and our Regulatory Strategy on our website https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au

About the Team

Located within the Legal, FOI and Privacy Branch led by the Commission's Chief Counsel, the Commission’s in-house litigation practice offers a unique opportunity to hone your litigation skills in a regulatory context, while contributing to the Commission's vital mission of safeguarding the rights, safety and quality of care for older Australians.

About the Role

Guided by a deeply experienced cohort of Principal Lawyers and Senior Lawyers, you will have the opportunity to contribute to complex, high-profile and nationally significant legal matters that directly support the protection and wellbeing of older Australians.

We invest in the career development of our lawyers and seek to give each lawyer the opportunity to stretch and grow professionally. You will receive excellent mentoring and coaching.  

Position Duties

In this role, you will directly contribute to upholding the rights of older Australians to receive safe, compassionate, and high-quality care. Drawing on your litigation skills and judgement, you will work on matters that have a direct impact on the safety, health and wellbeing of people receiving aged care services.

Your work will include:

• representing the Commission in the Administrative Review Tribunal; and/or  
• managing judicial review proceedings before the Federal Court; and/or
• advising on evidence preparation and strategy to support civil penalty proceedings commenced by the Commission; and/or
• managing civil penalty proceedings commenced in the Federal Court.

This is a challenging and rewarding role that offers exposure to high-profile regulatory litigation, complex legal issues and meaningful public interest work.

The position requires attendance in the office at least 2 days per week, availability during the Commission's standard operating hours and working extended hours from time to time to meet court and tribunal timeframes. This position may involve occasional travel.

Position Eligibility Requirements (Selection Criteria):

To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate the following minimum requirements: :

Legal 1 APS Level 6 – Regulatory Lawyer - Litigation

• At least 3 years' experience in merits review, judicial review and/or civil penalty litigation, with increasing independence.
• Demonstrated experience working on complex litigation matters independently under limited direction, preferably in a regulatory context, including:
  • Advising on litigation strategy;
  • Preparing tribunal or court documents;
  • Monitoring deadlines, court timetables, and compliance with procedural requirements;
  • Selecting and briefing counsel;
  • Advising on evidence and preparing witnesses; and
  • Advising on interpretation of relevant provisions of the legislation.
• Sound knowledge of Federal Court and/or Administrative Review Tribunal procedures
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining excellent working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders, with a demonstrated commitment to client service
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including ability to present complex technical legal issues succinctly and tailored to the audience
• Demonstrated resilience and thrive working under pressure for a sustained period from time to time.

Legal 1 APS Level 5 – Regulatory Lawyer - Litigation

• Experience in merits review, judicial review and/or civil penalty litigation, with increasing independence
• Demonstrated experience working on moderately complex to complex litigation matters under limited direction, preferably in a regulatory context, including:
  • Advising on litigation strategy;
  • Preparing tribunal or court documents;
  • Selecting and briefing counsel;
  • Advising on evidence and preparing witnesses; and
  • Advising on interpretation of relevant provisions of the legislation.
• Working knowledge of Federal Court and/or Administrative Review Tribunal procedures
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining excellent working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders, with a demonstrated commitment to client service
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including ability to present complex technical legal issues succinctly and tailored to the audience
• Strong academic record - please provide a copy of your academic transcript for your Bachelor of Laws subjects
• Demonstrated resilience and thrive working under pressure for a sustained period from time to time

In addition to the above key capabilities, to be eligible for this position you must:

• Be admitted as a legal practitioner (however described) of the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory.
• Be eligible to hold and maintain a practising certificate in the jurisdiction in which they practise;

Position Notes

• Salary offered will be between APS Level 5 $92,357; APS Level 6 $99,784 - $110,105 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 and be capable of holding security clearance up to Negative Vetting 1 level. For more information, please visit https://www.apsc.gov.au/citizenship-aps
• Non-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, you will need to provide your resume (normally three pages maximum) with your academic transcript for your Bachelor of Laws (or equivalent) degree attached.

Please provide a statement of claims against the position eligibility requirements (selection criteria) in no more than 600 words, including what strengths you would bring to the role, and a copy of your CV.

• Please complete the application and submit by Wednesday 26 August 2026 and 11:30pm AEST.
• Follow our guidelines for candidate use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) throughout the recruitment process.

Please contact our recruitment team on (02) 9633 3*** or ***********@agedcarequality.gov.au for assistance with accessing our website or with lodging your application.

Specific questions about the roles can be directed to Ashley Preston by emailing ************@agedcarequality.gov.au with the position title in the subject line .

Diversity and Inclusion

The 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 https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability.

We provide reasonable adjustments such as access, equipment or other practical support at relevant stages of the recruitment process. Please email ***********@agedcarequality.gov.au if you need any adjustments made.

Further information:

For further information about the Quality Commission, office locations and other related resources, please visit https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au

For more information on the Australian Public Service, please visit https://www.apsc.gov.au/publications-and-media/current-publications/cracking-the-code.