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/5886A
The Senior Legal Counsel, Claims & Insurance 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
- Wadawurrung / Geelong based role (hybrid – 3 days a week in office)
About the opportunity
The Senior Legal Counsel, Claims & Insurance 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 advice on premium matters and assist the Senior Legal Counsel – Manager, Claims & Insurance 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
- Provide effective legal risk management services
- Assist the Senior Legal Counsel - Manager, Claims & Insurance 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
- Prepare (or assist with the preparation of) briefing papers for the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Executive leaders on matters requiring their attention
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 skills and experience:
- 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
Qualifications
- 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 Tuesday 20 October 2026.