Solicitor

About the Department

The Department of Government Services (DGS) was created on 1 January 2023 to make it simpler for people and businesses to engage with the Victorian Government. It brings together key everyday services into one department, aiming to create a more seamless experience by connecting and digitising systems and platforms across state and local government, while also improving corporate and procurement services.

About the Office of the General Counsel

An opportunity is available within the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), which sits inside DGS’s Organisational Strategy, Governance and Performance Group. The OGC handles complex legal and policy issues by delivering high-quality legal advice and practical, evidence-based solutions.

The team advises on high-profile matters at the centre of government, covering public law, regulatory, corporate, commercial, contracting and procurement topics, and also provides in-house legal support for the department’s internal operations.

About the Role

This Solicitor position focuses on regulatory legal work, including assessing whether there is enough evidence to justify regulatory action and managing litigation on behalf of DGS.

Solicitors in the CAV Legal team within OGC support the Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) Regulatory Services Division and also assist other regulatory areas across DGS. The Regulatory Services Division investigates alleged breaches of legislation such as the Residential Tenancies Act 1997, the Estate Agents Act 1980 and the Australian Consumer Law.

The role involves advising CAV investigators and DGS before and during investigations, preparing legal briefs and other materials to support prosecution outcomes, and appearing in litigation across multiple jurisdictions, including the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, County Court of Victoria, Supreme Court of Victoria and the Federal Court of Australia.

This position also contributes to other compliance and enforcement work, including the Underquoting and Renting Taskforces.

Reporting to the General Manager, the Solicitor will help enforce Australian and Victorian consumer law and provide broader regulatory advice to DGS.

Key Accountabilities

• With supervision, manage and conduct legal proceedings arising from breaches of legislation administered by DGS.
• With supervision, deliver prompt, accurate and high-level legal analysis, advice, commentary and opinions on legislation administered by DGS.
• Appear as a solicitor advocate in Victorian superior courts and tribunals on behalf of DGS.
• As needed, support project teams working on sensitive and complex investigations, as well as related compliance, enforcement, legal policy and process work.
• Under supervision, prepare authoritative advice and assist CAV Regulatory Services Division and other DGS staff with investigation preparation and conduct.
• Provide clear, thorough written and verbal advice to CAV and DGS staff on issues arising in the course of their duties.
• Carry out other legal work connected to the Office of the General Counsel’s functions as required.

Mandatory Requirements

You must be admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer and be eligible to hold a Victorian practising certificate. Evidence of this requirement will be requested.

Employment and Application Information

This is an ongoing position. Applicants must have the relevant right to work in Australia.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, 7 July 2026. A complete application should include a resume and a cover letter of up to three pages addressing the key selection criteria.

Other Relevant Information

To be appointed to this role, applicants must hold the appropriate work rights for the advertised employment period. Ongoing appointment is available only to an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or an Australian Permanent Resident.

Preferred candidates will need to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment will also be subject to a National Police Check.

The department is committed to a safe workplace and to meeting its obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. As part of this, DGS has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that strongly recommends all employees be fully vaccinated.

DGS supports diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity, and all roles can be worked flexibly, although the arrangement may vary by position.