Locations: Adelaide SA, Brisbane QLD, Canberra ACT, Melbourne VIC, Sydney NSW
Employment Opportunity
The Attorney-General's Department is seeking expressions of interest from motivated and driven Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to fill current and future vacancies across various positions at the Senior Executive Service (SES) Band 1 classification.
An SES Band 1 leader in the Attorney-General's Department navigates contested stakeholder environments, delivers high quality legal and policy advice and contributes to reforms across justice, integrity and security. Successful candidates understand how the department influences whole of government outcomes and works with other portfolios and stakeholders to delivery system level change.
As an Assistant Secretary, you will lead a branch and report to the Division Head, Deputy Secretary, and Secretary. You will be accountable for strategic leadership, high-quality policy and program delivery, and the effective coordination of advice to support the Attorney-General in advancing the Government's priorities.
We are looking for leaders who are strategic thinkers with a deep understanding of Australia's interests, and who demonstrate strong conceptual, analytical, negotiation and representational skills.
The department undertakes a wide range of functions, and is seeking high-performing candidates across in the following groups:
- Justice and Communities Group - The Justice and Communities Group leads key elements of Australia's justice system, overseeing the federal courts, tribunals and the family law system while driving high-priority reform programs that strengthen equity, safety and access to justice. Its work includes major First Nations justice initiatives under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and reforms that respond to sexual assault, family violence and elder abuse. The group also houses the National Office of Child Safety, which is responsible for delivering Australia's National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021 to 2030. In addition, it manages significant areas of law and policy such as native title, and copyright law, and administers Australian Government funding for legal assistance services through mechanisms like the National Access to Justice Partnership with state and territory governments.
- Integrity and Security Group - The Integrity and Security Group is central to strengthening Australia's legal, integrity, human rights, anti-discrimination and security frameworks. The group oversees the domestic and international response to modern slavery, manages the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme and is responsible for reforms in privacy and freedom of information law. Its work includes managing complex integrity, criminal justice and national security functions, coordinating international legal cooperation and assisting portfolio bodies such as intelligence oversight agencies, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, the Commonwealth Ombudsman and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. The group is responsible for identity verification services, as well as the establishment of and engagement with Royal Commissions, including the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. The group is the central coordination point for Commonwealth legal services and constitutional policy, provides expert international legal advice, manages complex legal disputes and leads dedicated engagement with Pacific partners through the Pacific Law and Justice Program.
This recruitment process will also establish a merit pool to fill current and future SES Band 1 vacancies.
How you can help us make a difference
Our leaders create culturally safe, inclusive and high performing workplaces. We expect SES Band 1 leaders to role model integrity, transparency and respect, and to embed these behaviours in everyday practice across the department.
We are seeking senior leaders who bring ideas, diverse experience and global perspectives. Attorney-General's Department leaders think strategically, act with integrity and accountability, and champion innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.
People who work for us demonstrate leadership, apply evidence and sound judgement to solve complex problems, communicate with clarity and influence, and build capability to deliver sustainable results.
Our ideal candidates will:
- Lead and deliver Australia's law, justice and integrity agendas
- oversee the effective delivery of the key policy and program outcomes
- provide timely and strategic evidence-based advice to the Attorney-General
- exercise sound judgement, lead complex policy work, and represent the department with credibility and cultural awareness
- collaborate across the department, government, state and territory jurisdictions and community
- embed innovation, continuous improvement and evidence-based decision making
- anticipate, and respond to emerging issues while fostering strong partnerships
- build and sustain high-performing, inclusive, and values-driven teams aligned with APS Values and the Secretaries' Charter of Leadership Behaviours.
Some positions require formal legal qualifications. For these roles, applicants must hold an appropriate law degree or admission in Australia as a legal practitioner.
Merit Pools:
A merit list or pool may be created as part of this selection process and be used to fill similar vacancies in Adelaide SA, Brisbane QLD, Canberra ACT, Melbourne VIC, Sydney NSW.
Flexible work arrangements will be considered and supported where possible. These may include:
- Job Share
- Hybrid Work
- Remote Work
- Compressed Hours
- Bandwidth Modification
AGD is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion and sexual orientation to apply and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible.
For more information about this opportunity, including contact details for adjustment requests, please refer to the Candidate Information Kit.
The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under Section 31 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner's Directions 2022.
This process is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people who meet the criteria below.
To be eligible to apply for this role, you must:
- be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent and
- identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and
- be accepted by your community as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage will be required prior to the finalisation of the selection process.
The department will consider allowances in some circumstances, however evidence of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status may include:
- a letter signed by the Chairperson of an incorporated Indigenous organisation confirming that the applicant is recognised as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
- a confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent document executed by an Indigenous organisation.
Note: The need to provide confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage is not required as part of the application process.
Candidate Information Kit
Candidate Information Kit - Accessible Version
Affirmative Measures - Information Sheet