Principal Legal Officer

The Cabinet Office

Principal Legal Officer

You. At the centre of big ideas.

• We are looking for an experienced legal practitioner to join the Office of General Counsel, The Cabinet Office.
• You will provide timely, high quality and expert advice to senior executives, the Premier and Ministers on a broad range of complex legal, legislative and policy issues.
• Ongoing Clerk Grade 11/12 ($149,739 - $173,174 base per annum) opportunity, based in Martin Place with flexible work arrangements supported.

About the Role

As a Principal Legal Officer, you will be responsible for providing timely, expert advice to support senior executives within The Cabinet Office and Premier’s Department, the Premier and Ministers on a broad range of legal, legislative and policy issues. You will undertake complex legal and policy analysis, including the formulation and evaluation of legislative proposals on a diverse range of matters. You’ll regularly provide advice on matters for consideration by the NSW Cabinet.

You will join the Legal Branch within the Office of General Counsel - a highly regarded and trusted team of lawyers, led by the Deputy Secretary, General Counsel. Areas of legal focus include:

• Constitutional and electoral law
• Integrity, accountability, and parliamentary matters
• Inquiries and administrative law
• Commercial, contracts, and intellectual property law
• Information and privacy law

Further details on The Cabinet Office can be found here.

To learn more about the role, please review the Role Description.

What we’re looking for:

• You have legal qualifications, and admission or eligibility for admission as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of NSW.
• You have significant experience and substantive expertise in one or more relevant areas of law and outstanding generalist legal skills: information and privacy law, environmental law, criminal justice, trade practices law, commercial law and/or public law (in particular, constitutional, or administrative law). Understanding of, or ability to quickly understand parliamentary procedures, Cabinet processes, the role of integrity agencies and general governance skills are highly valued.
• You will operate with a high level of authority in respect to exercising professional judgement on diverse legal, legislative and related policy issues.
• You will provide leadership and mentorship to junior staff, contributing to the success of Legal Branch.
• You will exercise sound judgement and effectively and ethically manage the influence of political issues in formulating strategic legal and policy solutions.
• You are confident to drive and lead legal projects aligned with departmental priorities, working with a range of senior internal and external stakeholders.
• You will have well developed organisation skills and a demonstrated ability to work in a high-pressure, high-volume environment with tight deadlines.
• You will have excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to provide accurate, clear and comprehensive advice in short time frames.

We value diverse experiences. Even if you're not sure you meet all requirements, we encourage you to apply.

Why Join Us?

• Flexible Working: Broad range of flexible working arrangements
• Career Development: Ongoing learning through expert-led sessions, online training, and professional development opportunities
• Work-Life Balance: Flex time accrual for extra hours worked based on a 35-hour standard week
• Wellbeing Support: Access to employee assistance program, fitness passport program, and wellbeing initiatives
• Inclusive Culture: Staff-led networks including Aboriginal Staff Advisory Committee, Diversity & Inclusion Network, and Young Professionals Network

How to Apply

Click ‘Apply Online’ and submit your application including:

• A resume detailing relevant knowledge, skills and experience (maximum 5 pages)
• A cover letter addressing how you meet the requirements of the role (maximum 2 pages)

Closing Date: Tuesday, 3 February 2026 (9:59am)

Salary: Clerk Grade 11/12. Package includes base salary ($149,739 - $173,174) plus superannuation (12%) and leave loading.

Hiring Manager: Katherine Frank, Executive Director Legal, via katherine.frank@tco.nsw.gov.au

About The Cabinet Office

Leading policy, strategy and integrity from the heart of government

The Cabinet Office (TCO) enables robust Cabinet decision-making by ensuring policies and proposals submitted for consideration are of the highest quality and in line with government priorities. Learn more about the department and a career at The Cabinet Office.

Our Commitment

We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans and other diverse communities.

The Cabinet Office acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and live. We pay respect to Ancestors and Elders past and present. We recognise and learn from the strengths of First Nations peoples of New South Wales and their continuing connection to, and unique cultural and spiritual relationship with, Country.

Additional Information

Reasonable Adjustments: The selection process will include assessment techniques to determine your suitability. You can request reasonable adjustments at any stage by indicating in pre-screening questions, contacting the Talent Team at PCT@premiersdepartment.nsw.gov.au, or reaching out to the hiring manager.

Talent Pool: A talent pool may be created from this recruitment process. If eligible, you may be contacted for ongoing and temporary opportunities in the same role or grade that become available over an 18-month period.