Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: $113,022 - $136,747
Grade: VPS 5
Occupation: Legal
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: 9177
About us
We create thriving places and connected communities. We bring together transport, planning, land use, precinct and policy functions in a single department to deliver the best outcomes for Victorians.
Together with our portfolio agencies, we are responsible for planning, building, operating and maintaining Victoria’s transport, planning and land services for use by all.
We foster a safe, inclusive and constructive place to work.
People, Legal and Governance provides business-enabling people, legal and corporate services functions, to drive a high-performance culture; timely and accessible legal advice and services; and to support integrated operations and portfolio wide programs.
DTP Legal is a Division within the Department, and is responsible for the provision of legal, legislative, commercial and information access advice and support to the Ministers, Secretary and Department in the achievement of the transport, land use and planning system vision, objectives and decision-making principles.
About the role
*There are 2 x Ongoing VPS 5 Senior Lawyer vacancies*
The Senior Lawyer, Commercial and Projects reports to the Senior Legal Counsel, Commercial and Projects and is responsible for providing robust and sound advice on a wide range of complex legal issues associated with the delivery of a broad range of commercial projects for the department, including road construction projects, public transport infrastructure and service delivery, technology development, rolling stock maintenance procurement and precinct development. The Senior Lawyer works collaboratively with the Commercial and Projects legal team and their clients to ensure the provision of outstanding client service and timely, clear and pragmatic legal services.
Key Selection Criteria
The successful candidate will be a highly adaptable and commercially astute lawyer with the commitment to deliver strong outcomes. They will bring expertise in providing high-quality legal advice across complex and sensitive matters, including advanced legal drafting, statutory interpretation, critical thinking and risk management, while professionally managing external providers to ensure excellence in legal services. Strong communication skills are essential, with the ability to convey complex legal issues clearly and persuasively, and to work collaboratively with stakeholders to deliver practical, business-focused solutions.
To access the Position Description, please click here.
Position accountabilitiesThis role offers an exciting opportunity to provide high-quality legal services that support major infrastructure, commercial and government projects across Victoria.
As a Senior Lawyer, you will be a highly skilled and engaged member of the legal team, recognised for delivering legally excellent, clear, timely and pragmatic advice. You will work across a diverse portfolio of commercial and projects matters, identifying significant legal risks and advising on effective strategies to manage and mitigate those risks to support successful project delivery and business outcomes.
You will play a key role in managing external legal advisors, ensuring advice and services are of a high standard, reflect contemporary best practice, deliver value for money and are aligned with DTP’s objectives. Strong stakeholder engagement will be central to your success, as you proactively build and maintain trusted relationships with internal clients and external partners to support informed decision-making and the achievement of organisational priorities.
The role also requires you to contribute to the development of legal capability across DTP by presenting annually to the branch or broader legal division on matters you have advised on, and by ensuring legal knowledge, precedents and documents are maintained in accessible and well-managed systems. You will actively contribute to a positive, respectful and collaborative team culture, supporting colleagues and assisting with the delivery of broader legal services as required.
This position is suited to a commercially astute lawyer who enjoys working in a process-driven, outcomes-focused environment and is motivated to contribute to projects that have a lasting impact on Victoria’s transport and planning systems.
Qualifications and experience
Mandatory
Desirable
Culture Value
We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds representing the community that we serve, including veterans, parents, carers, First Peoples, people with disability, multicultural, multifaith and LGBTIQA+ individuals.
As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture. Through shared actions and behaviours aligned with our strategy and direction, we empower our people to thrive and meaningfully contribute to the department’s goals.
What we offer
Working at the Department of Transport and Planning provides people with the opportunity to contribute to creating thriving places and connected communities for all Victorians.
For further details please refer to Careers at the Department of Transport and Planning.
Pre-employment checks and employment conditions
All new appointments to the department will be subject to a National Criminal Records Check, Misconduct Screening, and a Qualification Check where there is a requirement for a mandatory qualification. Information provided to the Department of Transport and Planning will be treated in the strictest confidence consistent with the requirements of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.
Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.
Non-VPS applicants will be subject to a probation period of six months.
How to apply
Click the ‘Apply’ button to be redirected to our recruitment platform, where you may need to create an account to submit your application.
If you encounter any issues, refer to our Quick Reference Guide for step-by-step instructions.
Applications close at 11.59pm on Thursday, 5th February 2026.
Please include both your resume and a cover letter. All applications must be submitted via the online portal, we’re unable to accept email or manual submissions.
For further information about the role, please contact Isabel Tsang - Senior Legal Counsel via [email protected].
Important Information:
· If you require any adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process, or need the advert or attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print), please contact us by phone or email. We're here to support you.