Permanent Appointment

If you have the skills and passion to lead a team to deliver excellence in in-house legal services and to conduct litigation in an environment with varied and interesting legal work, we are interested in you.

Would you like to work in a genuinely exciting, flexible and friendly work environment?  At the Department of Local Government, Industry, Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) we offer flexible work hours and a workplace that values and brings together a diverse and inclusive workforce to drive innovation and success.

LGIRS is committed to delivering for the benefit of WA and the community by resolving consumer and trade disputes, enabling good governance to local communities, racing, gaming and liquor activities, monitoring compliance and protecting workers’ health and safety.

The role

The Industry Regulation and Consumer Protection Legal Division (IRCP) provides advice and legal services to Departmental clients that is accurate, timely and solution focussed. Our internal clients include the Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Building Commissioner, Plumbers Licensing Board, Building Services Board and Director of Liquor Licensing, amongst others.

LGIRS assists the Minister for Commerce, Minister for Local Government and Minister for Racing and Gaming to administer a huge range of statutes so there is always plenty of interesting and varied legal work!

IRCP Legal provides duty lawyer services with on-the-spot legal advice. Our lawyers also provide written legal advice in relation to a variety of interesting simple and complex matters, legal document drafting and strategic and operational advice to assist with effective investigations and enforcement actions in accordance with our remit under various statutes as a regulator of excellence.

In this role you will also provide advice and conduct litigation on behalf of statutory office holders and Department in a broad range of complex and sensitive matters. These may include civil penalty proceedings under the Australian Consumer Law or Fair Trading Act 2010 (WA), disciplinary action in the State Administrative Tribunal against traders in various industries or in relation to licensing matters, and criminal prosecutions in the Magistrates Court of Western Australia. You may also conduct proceedings or instruct counsel (including the State Solicitors’ Office), in the conduct of proceedings in the Supreme Court, District Court or other jurisdictions on a range of complex matters.

As Assistant General Counsel, you will be a lawyer with extensive post-admission experience in providing advice on a wide range of legal matters and extensive experience as a litigator in tribunals or summary courts. You will have strong leadership skills and highly developed organisational skills as well as a demonstrated ability to implement effective change management strategies to deliver outcomes in an efficient and effective manner. As part of a leadership team, you will assist the General Counsel to shape policies and procedures, manage resources and ensure that legal services are delivered in a manner that is consistent with legislation and government policy.

Please refer to the Job Description Form (JDF) attached for further information regarding the position, including any specific requirements, leadership capabilities and pre-employment checks which will be assessed as part of the selection process.

While this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, it may also be used to fill other similar vacancies (permanent, fixed-term, full-time or part-time) within the department for the next 12 months, from the date that the recruitment breach period has been finalised.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a permanent appointment, applicants must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or have a visa to live and work indefinitely in Australia at the time of application. Applicants with a valid visa to work and live in Australia for a specific duration may be assessed and considered suitable for similar fixed term vacancies that arise.

Should a qualification be required for this position, applicants must provide their certification and/or academic transcripts to verify relevance to the job requirements. Qualifications obtained outside of Australia must be provided with an assessment from the Overseas Qualifications Unit to ensure they meet Australian Standards (this is a free service).

To work for LGIRS, you must consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a clearance before you start. If deemed suitable, LGIRS will coordinate and pay for your NCCHC as part of your pre-employment checks.

Further information

Please contact Avril Bartlett, Acting General Counsel, Industry Regulation and Consumer Protection  on (08) 6552 9563 or via avril.bartlett@lgirs.wa.gov.au or visit our website. You can also keep up to date on LGIRS achievements and activities by following us on LinkedIn.

How to apply

We ask for you to provide:

A detailed resume outlining your key achievements, work history, education and professional development and covering letter of no more than three (3) pages, addressing the following role specific requirements and leadership beahvhours:

• Degree in Law.
• Current Australian practising certificate that enables the holder to engage in legal practice as a government legal practitioner or eligible to obtain one prior to commencement of employment.
• Extensive experience in providing advice on a range of complex legal matters including preparing legal documents and in conducting litigation with limited or no supervision.
• Build Capability - You empower those you lead and influence, encouraging their development by setting goals and providing learning assignments that stretch their capability.

All remaining role specific requirements and leadership behaviours will be assessed in the recruitment process. The complete list of role specific requirements and expected leadership behaviours can be found in the attached Job Description Form.

In the attached Applicant Information Pack, we offer further information on how to apply, and the range of incentives offered to employees who work with LGIRS. If you have any questions about employment conditions or the application process, or require any technical support when submitting your application online, please contact Matthew Ball, A/Coordinator Recruitment on (08) 9222 0434 or email RecruitmentandEngagement@lgirs.wa.gov.au.

To submit your application, click on the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this page. You will be asked to complete several questions, before attaching your resume and covering letter.

Supporting diversity and inclusion

The department is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive workplace.  That’s why championing diversity and inclusion is so important to us; when we embrace different perspectives and give everyone the chance to be the best they can be, we can think in new, creative ways that grow and enhance our department.  Our department is an equal opportunity employer, supported by the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA), preference may be given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people of diverse sexualities and youth.

We are proud to be recognised as an Inclusive Employer for 2023-2024 by Diversity Council Australia. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion here.

We use the National Relay Service (NRS) to ensure we are accessible to people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment. NRS can help you connect with us on:

• TTY/voice calls – 133 677
• Speak & Listen – 1300 555 727
• SMS relay – 0423 677 767

If you have any access needs that may require adjustment to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, including alternate methods of communication, or to request a document in an alternative format please contact us at RecruitmentandEngagement@lgirs.wa.gov.au.

CLOSING DATE: 4.00 pm on Thursday, 16 July 2026 (WST)

Please ensure you allow yourself sufficient time to lodge your application online as late applications will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to ensure your application is submitted on time.

We look forward to receiving your application and considering you for this exciting opportunity to join our team.