Support the future of NSW through meaningful work 

• Play a key legal role in delivering Sydney’s and NSW’s largest and most complex urban renewal projects.
• 2 x Permanent full-time opportunities.
• Parramatta or Newcastle location with flexible working supported | Other NSW DPHI locations by negotiation.
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $155,764 to $181,393 + super.

Join our team and shape your world in a workplace that empowers you to do your best work and build a meaningful career. In this role, you will contribute to shaping lives and communities across NSW, while shaping your own career. You will enjoy flexible work options, varied and impactful projects, and a vibrant, diverse team culture built on collaboration, inclusion and support. We are creating a workplace where everyone belongs and where you can balance work, life and wellbeing.

The role

Join a team delivering Sydney’s exciting city-shaping projects, as well as transformational projects across the State. As Principal Legal Officer, you’ll provide strategic legal advice and lead complex matters that support the transformation of government land into new spaces. You will help us deliver new homes, public spaces, infrastructure and cultural destinations that will benefit generations to come. Examples of work we have already delivered includes Honeysuckle in Newcastle, the Cutaway in Barangaroo, the transformation of Moore Park South and parts of Bradfield, Sydney’s third city. 

This is the best legal work you can do anywhere – shaping New South Wales into the future. Projects you may be involved in include transforming Bays West into a new waterfront community and the delivery of Bradfield city. If you are a private practice lawyer or in house lawyer looking for high profile, meaningful work, this is the role for you.

Working across major projects, planning reforms and high-profile development initiatives, you’ll navigate complex legal issues, manage competing priorities and build strong relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders. Your expertise will help drive practical, solutions-focused outcomes that support the successful delivery of the Government’s priority projects while managing legal risk and meeting the Department’s obligations.

For more information about this position, read the full Role Description: Principal Legal Officer

What you will bring to the role  

• Demonstrated experience providing strategic legal advice on complex property, commercial, development or infrastructure transactions.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to identify legal risks, negotiate outcomes and deliver practical solutions that support major projects.
• Experience advising on high-value land, property and development matters, including acquisitions, disposals, leasing, agreements and project delivery frameworks.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across government, industry and project teams.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, combined with sound judgment and a genuine interest in supporting the delivery of projects and their long-term legacy for Sydney and New South Wales.

What is an essential requirement:

• Admitted or qualified for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister in the Supreme Court of NSW and hold, or be eligible to hold, a NSW Practising Certificate
  

About Us

At the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI), you could shape your world while helping us shape the future of NSW. Together, we create vibrant communities, places and precincts, and manage land, assets and property.

We are a high-performing organisation that proudly reflects the communities we serve. Our diversity strengthens our cultural capability and enables us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people across NSW. As an inclusive and accessible workplace, we value your contribution, lived experience and cultural knowledge, and we want you to feel supported, connected and empowered to succeed. With flexible work arrangements, job share options, workplace adjustments and various employee affinity groups, we are here to help you thrive every day.

Join us

If this role sounds like the right fit for you, we encourage you to apply with your CV and cover letter. We’d love to hear from you and explore how you can shape your world with us.

Applications close at 11:55PM on Sunday 23 August 2026.

Should you require further information about the role please contact Erin Gavin on Erin.Gavin@dphi.nsw.gov.au.

A talent pool may be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Check out our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for the role or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.

We encourage and support applications from people with disability. Please reach out to us to discuss any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed during the recruitment process, ensuring that you have every opportunity to showcase your talent, skills, and potential. Contact the Talent Team via talent.acquisition@dpie.nsw.gov.au or (02) 63637676​ - HR Support, option 2, DPHI People Advisory, option 1 and reference 'Request an Adjustment - Job Title and Reference Number'.

Please note to be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident or hold a valid Australian working Visa for the duration of the appointment. This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including a criminal record check.