Overview
Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Grade in advertisement
Occupation: Legal
Location: Barwon South West - Greater Geelong
Reference: VG/5886
The Senior Legal Counsel, Insurance & Claims is responsible for independently providing in-house legal advice in relation to workers compensation insurance and providing corporate and administrative legal advice in relation to complex and high profile matters to relevant WorkSafe divisions.
- $168,512.00 per annum + 12% superannuation
- Full Time, Fixed Term position until 30/07/2027
- Geelong based role (hybrid – 3 days a week in office)
About the opportunity
The Senior Legal Counsel, Insurance & Claims is responsible for independently providing in-house legal advice in relation to workers compensation insurance and providing corporate and administrative legal advice in relation to complex and high profile matters to relevant WorkSafe divisions.
Key Accountabilities
- Provide high quality, client focused, strategic and practical legal advice and assistance to all divisions of WorkSafe, on various claims and insurance issues with a focus on workers compensation insurance and administrative law
- Provide legal advice in relation to claims management decisions including decisions regarding weekly payments, treatment and support decisions
- Provide legal advice in relation to provider matters, including avenues available under the Act, including ability to recover payments, refer for further enquiries including investigations
- Provide legal advice at meetings considering fraud, weekly payments and second entitlement provisions
- Provide advice on premium matters and assist the Senior Legal Counsel – Manager, Insurance & Claims to manage premium review litigation on behalf of WorkSafe
- Analyse and interpret complex legislation, including the various Acts, Orders and Regulations and provide comprehensive, authoritative and practical operational and administrative law advice
- Where required attend meetings in Melbourne to assist clients presenting to stakeholders
- Assist the Senior Legal Counsel - Manager, Insurance & Claims to develop legal skills of legal officers and legal counsel in the provision of legal advice
- Brief and manage external panel lawyer firms or counsel to provide high quality legal services on behalf of WorkSafe
About you
You are an experienced legal professional with a proven track record of providing high-quality legal advice on WorkCover claims and a broad range of insurance-related matters. You demonstrate sound judgement, strong stakeholder engagement capabilities and the ability to deliver practical, commercially focused legal solutions in complex and fast-paced environments. You effectively manage sensitive and high-risk matters, build collaborative relationships across the organisation and apply critical thinking to support strategic decision-making while appropriately managing legal risk.
Additionally, you will possess the following:
- A minimum of 5 years post qualification experience preferred
- Demonstrated experience providing high quality legal advice regarding WorkCover claims and/or other insurance claims advice including advising on disputed decisions, insurance litigation, and administrative law
- High level judgment in identifying and managing the resolution of issues of strategic impact and importance
- Understanding of the constraints of a statutory, regulatory environment
- Proven ability to consult on sensitive issues within critical timeframes and offer constructive solutions
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply legislative provisions and judicial precedents in a litigation, regulatory and commercial law context
- Demonstrated experience in civil litigation in Victorian court system
- High level strategic, analytical and critical legal decision making capabilities
- Degree in law
- Admitted to practice as lawyer in Victoria
- Holds or eligible to hold a practicing certificate as an Australian Legal Practitioner
Applications close 11:00pm Thursday 17 September 2026.