Together we shape thriving communities, public spaces, places and economies.

• Permanent/Ongoing full-time (35 hours per week) opportunities available
• Parramatta location with flexible working supported (other NSW locations are negotiable)
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $138,539 to $148,283 + super

What’s in it for me?

Join our team for a fantastic culture with dynamic collaboration and genuine long-term career support. We offer flexibility in work arrangements, diverse and fulfilling assignments, and prioritise work/life balance and wellbeing with initiatives like flex leave and access to support programs. Additionally, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to succeed.

The role

The Department is looking to fill Senior Legal Officer vacancies within the Department, including:

• Planning and Development Law
• Government Law

As a Senior Legal Officer within the Department, you will provide expert legal advice and support across a range of areas to achieve the department’s strategic goals, which include to increase housing supply and robust infrastructure planning.  

The areas include:

• planning law, including development contributions and development assessments;
• environmental law, including biodiversity conservation;
• local government law;
• government employment law;
• government sector finance law;
• privacy, GIPA, standing order 52s;  and
• administrative law.

You will provide specialist, timely and client focused legal advice to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, the Minister for Local Government, the Planning Secretary, senior executives and staff of the department as well as external stakeholders, such as panels to manage legal risks, support legislative reform, and contribute to the department’s strategic goals.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and enjoys tackling complex legal challenges. If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact across NSW through contributing to increasing housing supply and providing infrastructure for communities, this is a great opportunity to bring your legal skills to the forefront.

For more information read the full Role Description:  Senior Legal Officer

Key skills and experience

• A minimum of 3 years post admission experience.
• Strong advice writing, legal research and statutory interpretation experience, with the ability to manage complex legal matters.
• Experience drafting and reviewing agreements and deeds, statutory instruments, and briefing materials for senior stakeholders and government processes.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality legal services under pressure and within tight timeframes.
• Proven ability to manage own matters and work collaboratively with internal teams, external agencies, and legal representatives to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ability to conduct information, training and briefing sessions, and develop training materials for clients and staff to transfer specialist knowledge, expertise and skills and contribute to the work of the department
• Commitment to ethical practice, professional standards, and continuous learning in a dynamic legal and policy environment.

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
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Planning law including the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act;
  • Water law, energy law and environmental law;
  • Administrative law or experience in the policy making and legislative process and good knowledge of statutory interpretation;
  • Property, native title or crown lands law;
  • Contract and commercial law;
  • Local government law; or
  • Compliance and regulatory law, prosecutions and general litigation.

About us

The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) improves the liveability and prosperity of NSW. To achieve this, we: create vibrant, productive spaces and precincts; manage lands, assets and property effectively and deliver affordable and diverse housing. We strive to be a high-performing, world-class public service organisation that celebrates and reflects the full diversity of the community we serve and builds the cultural capability of our department to improve outcomes with and for Aboriginal people, communities and entities. 

We are an inclusive and accessible workplace, where your individual contributions are valued, and where everyone is encouraged to feel a sense of connection and belonging. DPHI supports various employee affinity groups, practices flexible working, offers job share and workplace adjustments.

Join us

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application, including a copy of your resume and cover letter expressing your interest and suitability for the role.

Applications close 11:55PM on Monday 22 September 2025

Should you require further information about the role please contact Davida Liang via davida.liang@planning.nsw.gov.au

A recruitment 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.

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. 

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'.

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