Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: $142,790 - $191,084
Grade: VPS 6
Occupation: Legal
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/PES/1922810
About the Role
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen to work as a Principal Lawyer for the Workplace Discrimination and Disputes (WDD) Unit in the Workplace and Education Law Branch of the Department of Education's Legal Division.
The WDD unit advises on and manages discrimination, human rights, employment, occupational health and safety matters and other government litigation (eg FOI and privacy).
The Principal Lawyer will be responsible for specialist technical and strategic legal advice in the areas of law relevant to the WDD Unit and for settling and supervising the work of other lawyers in accordance with the department's values and objectives.
The Principal Lawyer role encompasses a wide range of matters including managing significant, sensitive and high profile litigation in Commissions, Courts and Tribunals and briefing external firms and sometimes directly briefing barristers. The role may undertake some advocacy and representation in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, the Australian Human Rights Commission, the Fair Work Commission, the Federal Court, Disciplinary Appeals Board and Merit Protection Boards as well as the Supreme Court of Victoria.
This is an ongoing full-time opportunity.
Why join us?
About us
The Department of Education (the department) is responsible for delivering and regulating state-wide learning and development services to approximately one-third of all Victorians across the early childhood and school education sectors. The department is also one of Victoria's biggest employers, with approximately 80,000 teaching staff and around 5,000 public service employees.
The Legal Division provides highly valued legal services to support the delivery of the department's strategic objectives, key reforms and to manage legal risk. In doing so, Legal Division provides direct, practical and strategic legal advice to portfolio ministers, the secretary, other senior staff and over 1,600 government schools, supporting approximately over 650,000 Victorian Government school students.
About the Department
The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and servic es.
The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems.
How to Apply
Please click the Apply Now button on this advertisement.
Applications should include a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (no longer than 2 pages) and resume.
Further Information
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description.
The Department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.
Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.
For a confidential discussion regarding the role please contact Emily Lett, Workplace and Education Law Branch Director, 03 7022 1177.
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.
Applications close 11:59pm on Monday, 18 May 2026.