Senior Legal Counsel, Executive Level 1, Australian Trade Remedies Commission

• Canberra, Melbourne
• Applications close 14 October
• The salary range for this role is $126,391 - $151,472

About the Department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the team

About the Commission

The Australian Trade Remedies Commission is a best practice regulator and a leading international trade remedies authority. We exist to support the Australian economy by securing a level playing field for local industry by investigating and remedying unfair international trade practices including dumping, subsidies and import volume surges.

The Commission delivers against the Minister’s Statement of Expectations to ensure a more timely, effective and accessible trade remedies system, and to contribute to a Future Made in Australia.

The Commission is undergoing significant reform, including operating model improvements, legislative reform, capability uplift, and the establishment of a safeguards function.

At the Commission, you can do meaningful work that has a real impact on Australian industry and the economy, while building specialist expertise in a supportive, flexible and values-driven environment with a united culture that values trust, safety and continuous improvement. We invest in our people, encourage continuous learning, and empower staff to shape the future of a modern, best-practice regulator. 

Our ideal candidate

Senior Legal Counsel EL1 - 12 months or ongoing

Our ideal candidate

Our ideal candidate will be a highly capable legal practitioner who combines strong technical expertise with sound judgement, strategic thinking and a collaborative approach.

The successful candidate will:

• Have a minimum of 2 – 3 years post-admission experience.
• Significant experience providing legal advice in a government, regulatory, administrative law, or trade environment.
• Demonstrate exceptional legal analysis and professional judgement.
• Provide clear, practical and risk-based advice on complex issues.
• Build productive relationships and influence outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Communicate complex legal concepts clearly and effectively.
• Manage competing priorities in a dynamic operating environment.
• Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and accountability.

Experience, Skills and knowledge

• Experience advising on complex statutory decision-making and regulatory processes.
• Experience managing sensitive legal issues and competing priorities.
• Experience preparing legal advice for senior executives, statutory office holders or government decision-makers.
• Strong legal advice writing, analysis and advisory skills.
• Expert knowledge of administrative law and statutory decision-making principles.
• Ability to identify legal risks and develop practical solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing capabilities.
• Sound understanding of governance, accountability and public sector decision-making.
• Knowledge of international trade law, trade remedies, safeguards measures or World Trade Organization frameworks, or the demonstrated ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge.

What you will do

Senior Legal Counsel EL1 - 12 months or ongoing

The Senior Legal Counsel is a senior specialist legal role responsible for providing authoritative legal advice and strategic guidance, including to support the Australian Trade Remedies Commission's safeguards function. The role plays a critical role in ensuring safeguards activities, inquiries and decisions are legally robust, procedurally fair and consistent with Australia's legislative and international obligations.

The role will provide expert legal leadership across safeguards operations and inquiries, contributing to the development of legal frameworks, regulatory practices and organisational capability.

The role is responsible for delivering high-quality legal advice, managing complex legal issues, supporting inquiry teams and decision-makers, and ensuring compliance with domestic and international legal requirements.

The role will:

• Provide authoritative legal advice on trade remedies including on safeguards legislation, administrative law and statutory interpretation.
• Support inquiry teams and senior leaders on complex legal, regulatory and procedural matters.
• Contribute to the development of legislative, policy and operational frameworks supporting the safeguards function.
• Manage legal risks and support sound decision-making across safeguards activities.
• Build legal capability and provide mentoring and guidance to staff.
• Foster strong partnerships across government, industry and legal stakeholders.

Key duties

• Provide expert legal advice on trade remedies with a focus safeguards inquiries, assessments, operational activities and legislative requirements.
• Review inquiry reports, recommendations, briefs, submissions and decision-making documents to ensure legal accuracy and adhere to best regulatory practice.
• Identify, assess and manage legal and regulatory risks associated with safeguards activities.
• Support the development of policy, operational guidance, procedures and legislative reform initiatives.
• Liaise with legal advisers, government agencies and external stakeholders on safeguards-related matters.
• Contribute to organisational capability through mentoring, coaching and knowledge sharing.
• Represent the Commission in legal and cross-government forums where required.

When there is no Safeguards inquiry in progress, the role will be utilised in other types of investigations.

Eligibility

Tertiary qualifications in the field of law and admission as a legal practitioner of the High Court or the Supreme Court of a State or Territory of Australia are required for this role.

This vacancy is open to current APS employees only

To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.

Positions require a Baseline security clearance and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Notes

The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This vacancy is Melbourne (preferred) or Canberra based, although flexible arrangements may be considered. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

Application information

Your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your application responses, CV and any other documents. The selection panel may not consider applications containing classified information.

Please provide a pitch explaining how your skills, knowledge and experience will be relevant to this role and why you are the best candidate for the position. Your pitch can contain no more than 750 words and should align to the key duties listed above.

You may use AI tools to support your application. However, all content must be accurate, authentic, and reflect your own capability in line with APS merit principles. For further guidance, please refer to the APSC’s Principles for candidate use of AI in recruitment.

Please complete your application online and provide your current CV with your application. (CVs must be in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format).

Accessible application documentation is available in other formats on request. Please contact *************************** or (************* if you require assistance with your application.

Please refer to our Applying for a position information for additional information on how to apply.

Contact Information

For more information regarding this opportunity, please contact Katrina Gunn via email on ********************************