Description

About The Role

The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) Principal Lawyer reports directly to the CEO of the VRQA. One of 2 Principal Lawyers at the VRQA, the purpose of this role is to provide legal advice to the VRQA Board, Executive and Senior Management across all of the VRQA's functional areas. The Principal Lawyer will proactively identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks, providing timely and practical advice to support decision-making and performance of regulatory functions. The role contributes to building capability within the VRQA in relation to the legislative framework, public law, and governance.

Success in this role requires strong stakeholder management skills, the ability to develop and maintain trusted partnerships across the VRQA and Department, and a collaborative approach to problem solving.

The Responsibilities Of The Role Include

Providing authoritative and practical written and verbal adviceDrafting, reviewing and negotiating a range of legal documents including guidelines, policies and procedures, contracts, memoranda of understandingBriefing external lawyers and Counsel including in relation to litigation Preparing board and sub-committee papers and attending board and sub-committee meetingsBuilding and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders including the Department of Education and co-regulators, State and Territory regulators and non-government stakeholdersIn-house training of staff including of authorised officersProviding advice in relation to governance and not-for-profit requirements of registered providers

Attributes

You are an experienced lawyer(minimum 5+ PAE) preferably with government experience.

You work well independently and are collaborative and actively contribute to a culture of excellence, responsiveness and flexibility. You have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and outstanding attention to detail.

You can identify and mitigate legal risks and provide practical legal advice that considers broader operating context and the VRQA's stakeholders.

Desirable Qualifications And Experience

Applicants for this role must hold a bachelor's degree in Law and be admitted or be eligible to be admitted, as a lawyer in Victoria.

Prior government legal experience will be highly regarded.

About The Victorian Registration And Qualifications Authority

The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) is an independent statutory body established under section 4.2.1 of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (the Act). The VRQA is responsible for the regulation of schools, school boarding premises, providers of senior secondary and foundation secondary education, school sector providers that deliver courses to international students, home schooling, registered training organisations that deliver in Victoria or Victoria and Western Australia only, apprenticeships and traineeships and awarding bodies. The VRQA also accredits courses and recognises group training organisations.

About The Department

The Department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.

The Department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The Department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

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 Islander 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 Stefanie Veal, Chief Executive Officer at vrqa.oceo@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 Tuesday 20 January 2026.