Legal Officer and Senior Legal Officer - Commercial, Projects and Disputes

Legal Officer and Senior Legal Officer - Commercial, Projects and Disputes $72,275 - $152,325 (APS 3 - EL 1 (Legal) + Super)

Defence is seeking to engage APS 4, APS 5, APS 6 and EL1 level Legal and Senior Legal Officers for Defence Legal’s Commercial Branch to support its achievement of key commercial outcomes. As a Legal or Senior Legal Officer in Defence Legal’s Commercial Branch, you will perform a range of commercial legal work across a variety of projects. You will be accountable for ensuring you have knowledge of and comply with legislative frameworks, government decision‑making, and Defence’s mission and policy requirements.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Collective Agreement (DECA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.

About our Team All lawyers within Defence Legal’s Commercial Branch are given the opportunity to be mentored and developed by some of Australia’s most senior commercial and projects lawyers, including external legal advisors. EL 1 Senior Legal Officers will also have the opportunity to supervise and mentor junior commercial lawyers, while continuing to develop their skills under the guidance of some of Australia’s most senior commercial lawyers. In addition to developing strong technical legal skills, you will develop a keen understanding of the workings of Government and a deep ability to manage multiple stakeholders. Our Legal and Senior Legal Officers are also offered opportunities for significant personal and professional development to support our clients in this very rewarding environment.

Our Ideal Candidate As a Legal or Senior Legal Officer within the Commercial Branch, you will advise key client areas on commercial law, contract interpretation, contract performance and management, liability, ICT law, insurance law, intellectual property, probity, and procurement and tendering. The size and scale of the work the Commercial Branch undertakes is unprecedented in the Commonwealth. Your clients will include the Secretary of the Department and Service Chiefs, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, Defence Digital Group, Defence Science and Technology Group, Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Group, Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group, and Joint Capabilities Group.

Given the volume and scale of Defence’s commercial arrangements, including significant acquisition and sustainment projects, Defence may be required to participate in commercial litigation or arbitration. Defence Legal is looking to develop its in‑house project dispute resolution and commercial arbitration capacity, with a team of commercial lawyers who will work closely with Defence groups and projects to achieve best outcomes for Defence, including in commercial disputes.

Legal and Senior Legal Officers support Defence to build its project, dispute resolution and commercial arbitration capacity. Commercial Branch personnel may be required to work closely with commercial arbitration specialist lawyers, based in Defence Legal’s Dispute Resolution and Litigation Branch, along with other areas of Defence Legal and key client stakeholders from across Defence or the Defence portfolio.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 15 March 2026

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASG/01121/26 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=CECCB787-C83A-D304-7286-ECABE8ECEA18

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