About us

The Department of Education is responsible for delivering and regulating state-wide learning and development services to approximately one-third of all Victorians across the early childhood and school education sectors. The department is also one of Victoria's biggest employers, with approximately 80,000 teaching staff and around 5,000 public service employees.

The Legal Division provides highly valued legal services to support the delivery of the department's strategic objectives, key reforms and to manage legal risk. In doing so, Legal Division provides direct, practical and strategic legal advice to portfolio ministers, the secretary, other senior staff and over 1,600 government schools, supporting approximately over 650,000 Victorian Government school students.

About the role – multiple full-time, fixed-term roles available

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for a lawyer to further progress their legal career working in an outstanding legal team, in the Commercial Law Unit of the Commercial and Legislation branch in the Legal Division of the Department of Education.

Senior Lawyers in the Commercial Law Unit contribute to the provision of specialist, technical and strategic legal advice on commercial law matters and risk management in relation to schools and the corporate department. The successful candidates will have strong legal skills with specialist expertise in advising on commercial legal issues and documenting and settling commercial transactions.

The Commercial Law Unit provides strategic support in relation to the procurement, negotiation, and management of a variety of contracts, service agreements, funding agreements and other commercial documents. This includes all necessary advice before going to the market, including supporting any tailoring of standard documents to make them fit for purpose, supporting supplier selection through responding to requests for contract departures, assessment of any best and final offers, subsequent contract negotiation and drafting, and consequential contract management (primarily in relation to disputes).

Why join us?

• Meaningful work that is varied, satisfying and rewarding – A career as a government lawyer provides opportunities that are unrivalled by the private sector. Scale, impact and richness of work sets the public sector apart from almost every other employer. To find out more about the wide range of opportunities for bright publicly minded lawyers visit Legal profession | vic.gov.au

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements — Part time, flexible start and finish times, work from home to help manage your work and personal commitments.
• Competitive salary – Annual salary increases in line with the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement
• Diversity and inclusion - As one of Victoria's largest employers, the department is committed to creating an organisation that is inclusive and ensuring it has a workforce that represents the community it serves.
• Values – The department has adopted the public sector values which are set out in the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees, which are Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values underpin how we interact with colleagues, students and families, members of the community, suppliers and government.
• Employee assistance program — For emotional, mental and general psychological wellbeing and support

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter summarising their skills and experience (no more than two pages).

For more details regarding this position, please see the attached position description. For a confidential discussion, please phone Amanda Rayner, Principal Lawyer and Manager, Commercial Law Unit, on 7022 2824.

Visit http://www.careers.vic.gov.au/vacancies/tips-for-applying for guidelines and tips for applying for government positions.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Relevant university qualifications or experience in a related field. Direct experience in program design and delivery is highly desirable for this role

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Is lander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Monica Jonasson, Director, Team Leader, Practice Support Unit via Monica.Jonasson@education.vic.gov.au

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Wednesday 6th May 2026