Lawyers - AFP Legal Corporate
Canberra, ACT, AU
Job Details
EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time; Temporary Full time up to a period of 24 months
LOCATION - ACT
AFP BAND & SALARY - Broadband 3-5 (Legal) ($72,339.00 - $107,559.00)
JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 14755
This advertisement is to fill current vacancies and create a merit list for future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies arising over the next 12 months.
Did you know?
The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.
Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia.
We recognise your contribution to our workforce and offer generous remuneration and conditions including:
- Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down
- 4 extra days of mandatory rest leave per year
- 18 days of paid personal leave per year
- Generous superannuation of 15.4%
- 18 weeks paid Parental Leave for Primary Caregiver (and 11 weeks for Secondary Caregiver) + additional unpaid leave entitlements for up until 24 months from the child’s date of birth or placement
- Generous salaries and incremental salary progression governed by the AFP Enterprise Agreement
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangement that provides work/life balance
- Health & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention
- Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities
What is the role?
Applications are sought from suitably qualified, professional, enthusiastic and committed Lawyers wishing to be considered for the role of Lawyer (Band 3-5) within AFP Legal – Corporate, based in Canberra.
The AFP Legal Corporate area consists of two teams with the following practice areas:
1. Employment and Dispute Resolution;
2. Governance;
3. Privacy & Information; and
4. Commercial.
AFP Legal are seeking applicants with an interest or experience in one or more of the above legal practice areas. Positions may be filled at the AFP Band 3 to 5 levels, within the AFP Legal Officer 3 to 8 Broadband, depending upon the skills and experience of the successful candidate.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant legal practice that has a diverse and interesting range of work and internal clients and is committed to the development of its lawyers, and the maintenance of a supportive and flexible working environment.
AFP Legal is the AFP’s in-house legal practice, delivering legal services across the wide spectrum of AFP law enforcement related activities both domestically and overseas. AFP Corporate lawyers work in a professional, dynamic and intellectually challenging environment providing legal advice in areas including, information law, privacy law, dispute resolution, administrative law, employment law, commercial law, and governance.
As an employee of the AFP you will also be required to contribute to the achievement of outcomes in accordance with the relevant regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and AFP governance. It is expected that the successful applicant will deliver on the core responsibilities in one of the work areas below and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below.
Applicants must be able to meet the criteria set out below.
What will you do?
AFP Legal Corporate is responsible for the provision of legal advice and litigation services that directly support the law enforcement activities of the AFP.
Vacancies exist across two teams:
1. Commercial, Governance & Information Law Team
Lawyers working in the Commercial, Governance & Information Law Team in AFP Legal provide high quality, cost effective in-house professional legal services across a broad range of matters, including:
- providing advice on, and drafting documents in relation to a broad range of activities, including contracts in support of procurement of ICT and other operational capabilities; construction; leasing and licensing; commercial negotiations; intellectual property; the agencies obligations under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (Cth).
- providing advice on the collection, use, disclosure and handling of personal information under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles, including in relation to general privacy advice, data breaches, privacy threshold assessments and privacy impact assessments
- dispute resolution in relation to commercial matters or responding to privacy complaints made to the AFP and the Office of the Information Commissioner (OAIC).
- providing advice on the AFP governance framework and assisting with governance documents such as memorandum of understanding, or letters of engagement with key external agency stakeholders.
2. Employment & Dispute Resolution Law Team
Lawyers working in the Employment & Dispute Resolution Law Team provide advice and assistance on employment law issues and support the AFP in its civil dispute resolution processes. While lawyers work across both practice areas, the AFP welcomes interest from applicants with experience or interest in either employment or civil disputes.
Important: Further information regarding the requirements of these roles, and guidance on the process, can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.
Essential Requirements
- You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
- A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
- Lawyer Band 3:
- be completing tertiary qualifications in law by December 2025;
- have completed or be eligible to enrol in a graduate diploma of legal practice or equivalent qualification by December 2025;
- have a demonstrated interest in one of the Corporate practice areas.
- Lawyer Band 4-5:
- have a minimum of 1-5 years’ post admission experience;
- either hold a current practising certificate for an Australian state or territory or be eligible to apply for a practicing certificate;
- hold tertiary qualifications in law;
- have demonstrated experience, or interest in one of the Corporate practice areas.
Desirable Requirements
The following skills and/or experience would be highly regarded:
- Post-admission experience as a lawyer in one of the Corporate practice areas;
- 1-3 years’ experience as a paralegal in one of the Corporate practice areas;
- An ability to work in a complex and dynamic environment;
- Demonstrated stakeholder management skills and the ability to form productive working relationships as a member of a team;
- An ability to prioritise tasks, take initiative and work autonomously.
Additional Information
- Positions may be filled at the Band 3 to 5 levels, within the AFP Legal Officer Broadband 3-8, depending upon the skills and experience of the successful candidate.
- This role is located in Canberra and applicants are expected to be based in Canberra
Note: Current AFP lawyers are not eligible to apply for a promotion or advancement through this process.
Selection Criteria
- Organising your work, making sound decisions and achieving outcomes
- Communicating and working effectively with other people
- Applying technical knowledge, expertise and skills
Application
Please submit the following documents via our Jobs portal prior to the closing date and time:
- Applicant response to selection criteria. In preparing a response to the selection criteria, applicants are required to prepare a two-page pitch (maximum) which will be used to assess you against the Position – Role Scope and selection criteria. Ensure your pitch tells us why you are the best fit for the role as a Lawyer, with examples and that demonstrate your capabilities addressing the selection criteria, desirable skills, Position – Role Scope and work level standards for the role. The panel is only able to consider the evidence they receive from candidates, therefore ensure your pitch clearly demonstrates your ability and suitability to the role.
- Resume/CV - the CV will be used to assess you against the selection criteria and give the panel a clear outline of your current knowledge and qualifications along with previous experience.
Only complete applications will be considered. Please review and ensure the uploaded documents are correct for this application after submitting your application.
Employment Suitability
Should you successfully progress from the application stage all applicants must:
- Complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) and provide a traffic history check and proof of Australian citizenship. This aids in the assessment of your character and your ability to comply with the AFP's professional standards both in an official and private capacity. Please review our AFP Character Standards to ensure that you meet our requirements before you submit your application. Applicants will not receive feedback if they are unsuccessful at this gateway.
- Have your fingerprints taken if an offer of employment is made.
- Undertake mandatory drug testing for illicit drugs. This sample could include; urine, saliva or hair.
- Satisfactorily undertake a security clearance to the level specified for the position.
Recruitment Process
Applicants who have demonstrated their suitability for employment through their resume and application, may be invited to a formal interview. Using the relevant AFP work level standards as a guide, you may be asked a range of questions to demonstrate your skills and abilities. These could include behavioural based scenario questions. Read our guides for applicants to find out how to prepare for your interview.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
At the AFP we value the different perspectives, approaches and lived experiences of our people, and recognise that our collective intelligence and diversity is what makes us stronger. As such, we encourage applications from people from all walks of life, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations people, women, the LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.
Contacts and Closing Information
Lauren Bird (Commercial, Governance & Information) Phone: (02) 5126 7451, Email: Lauren.Bird2@afp.gov.au
Helen Phelps (Employment and Dispute Resolution) Phone: (02) 5126 0117 Email: Helen.Phelps@afp.gov.au
Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 11/06/2025
To view other employment opportunities, please visit our career site.