Senior Legal Policy Officer

Overview

Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time

Salary: $116,413 - $128,631

Grade: VPS 5

Occupation: Policy

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DJCS5128JUN26

The Sentencing Advisory Council is an independent statutory body established under The Sentencing Act 1991.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

For more information on our recruitment process, please visit justice.vic.gov.au/careers

If a career that can give you the opportunity to contribute to a safe and just Victoria appeals to you, we look forward to hearing from you.

• Utilise your policy expertise to provide support and advice to Sentencing Advisory Council

• Fixed-term, Full-Time opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service

• VPS Grade 5 : $116,413 - $128,631 plus superannuation.

About the Business Unit

The Sentencing Advisory Council (‘the Council') is an independent statutory body that provides evidence-based advice, research and data about sentencing policy and practice in Victoria.

In May 2026, the Victorian Government announced that the Council would be undertaking a review of the Sentencing Act 1991 (‘the review'). This role will play a key role in the Council's review, which will be one of the most significant sentencing law reform. projects in Victoria in recent years.

About the Role

The Senior Legal Policy Officer is primarily responsible for developing high-quality publications associa ted with the review, as well as participating in stakeholder and community consultation. The role may also involve other tasks as required by the Council from time to time, such as additional research and publication activities and/or educational activities.

Some of your duties will include

• Provide expert legal policy advice to the Senior Manager of Legal Policy, CEO, and the Council's Board of Directors on issues relating to sentencing law and practice.
• Contribute to the Sentencing Act Review - including research, planning, consultation, and report writing - ensuring outputs are high-quality, evidence-based and delivered on time
• Contribute to other research projects on complex sentencing matters in collaboration with other staff, including the preparation of high quality reports, publications and other written materials.

To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description.

About You

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Detailed knowledge of criminal law, with a strong focus on sentencing law.
• Able to write clearly, concisely and persuasively across a range of document types such as correspondence, project plans and research reports.
• Highly developed presentation skills.

How to Apply: Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include reference checks, national police checks and misconduct screening. Dependant on the role, other checks may include VicRoads checks, drivers licence checks, medical checks, Working with Children Checks, and Declaration of Private Interests (for executive and responsible officer roles).

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative form.at to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

To be eligible for this position, please apply by 11.59pm July 12th 2026.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.

Applications close Sunday 12 July 2026 at 11.59pm

Posted

4 June 2026