Senior Legal Officer
Role Title: Senior Legal Officer
• Employment type: Full-time, temporary (up to 27 January 2028)
• 35 hour working week, in a hybrid working environment
• Offices conveniently located in Sydney CBD and Gladesville, both close to public transport
• Be a part of an inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve
About this role
An exciting, temporary opportunity currently exists for an experienced and hardworking Senior Legal Officer to join the Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA), based at our Pitt Street office.
The HPCA is seeking a Senior Legal Officer to play a key role in the provision of advice and legal support for, the Pharmacy Ownership regulatory framework in NSW under Schedule 5(F) of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) No 86a of 2009 [the National Law].
Secondary to Pharmacy Ownership work, the role may also include the conduct of proceedings in courts and tribunals concerning Councils’ decisions under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) regarding diverse health professionals.
The Senior Legal Officer may also be required to provide written or verbal legal advice on a range of matters, including administrative law, privacy law and regulation.
Reporting to the Principal Legal Officer, The Senior Legal Officer is responsible for providing high level professional legal services and advice, including through collaborating closely with key stakeholders, including staff across the HPCA, the Pharmacy Council of NSW, other Councils and the NSW Ministry of Health.
This is an excellent opportunity for a legal professional to join a dedicated and highly regarded team and be a key contributor in working in partnership of health practitioners to protect the public of NSW.
Legal Officer Grade IV, salary from $144,058 to $146,831 plus Super and annual leave loading
For more information, read the full Role Description.
What you'll be doing
The successful candidate will provide high quality advice to Councils, committees, regulatory panels and HPCA staff on any aspect of the law but particularly commercial law and administrative to the Pharmacy Council of NSW
The Senior Legal Officer also is responsible for supporting the development of legal capability across the organisation including knowledge of the law and regulation that governs Council operations, including participation in education and professional development for staff, Council and hearing members, and presentations to external stakeholders.
About you
We are seeking motivated and committed individuals with:
• Tertiary qualifications in law, admission as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of NSW and a practising certificate from the NSW Law Society.
• A minimum of 5 years’ relevant legal practice including sound litigation and legal advice experience, preferably in administrative and/or commercial law.
• Proven ability to provide accurate, clear, and comprehensive advice and legal documents in short timeframes and practically apply legal principles in an operational setting.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines, take initative, and proactively manage workload, including with multiple competing priorities.
How to apply
All applicants must review the role description and submit a copy of their resume and a statement in responses two targeted questions below. Your response to the two questions should be contained to one page.
If you do not include responses to the below questions your application will not be considered.
Target Questions:
1. Please provide an example of a highly complex or unfamiliar problem you were faced with in a previous role that you needed to solve. What made the problem difficult or unique? What steps did you take to resolve it and what was the outcome?
2. In a scenario where you are attending a Council meeting as the in-house legal advisor and are being pressed for advice, what considerations, including ethical considerations, would you keep in mind and why?
For role related queries or questions please contact Elise McHugh, Principal Legal Officer on elise.mchugh@health.nsw.gov.au and quote
Closing Date: 15 February 2026
Working at Health Professional Councils Authority
The Health Professional Councils Authority (HPCA) is an executive agency of the NSW Ministry of Health. We play an important role in protecting the health and safety of the public by supporting the 15 NSW Health Professional Councils in managing complaints about NSW health practitioners.
The position is primarily based at our CBD Pitt Street office with the option of some work days at the HPCA Gladesville site. . Our Pitt St office is a short walking distance from Central Station with facilities, including a food court, rooftop garden, free yoga and Pilates sessions, end of trip amenities, and bike storage Our Gladesville office is located on the Gladesville Hospital grounds with free parking and accessible to public bus routes.The HPCA upholds NSW Health CORE values of Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment.
Benefits
• Hybrid working arrangements subject to agreement and NSW Government policy
• Flex leave, in addition to annual leave
• Fuel your professional growth with access to great learning and development opportunities, including LinkedIn Learning
• Employee support services for guidance and assistance, ensuring you thrive both personally and professionally
• Access to the Fitness Passport, encouraging a healthy lifestyle both in and out of the office
Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At the HPCA we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and flexible environment which reflects the community and customers we serve. We actively promote the employment of women, people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and would like assistance with your application or to obtain more information on how to apply please visit The Stepping Up Initiative.
To be eligible for employment in these roles you must be an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen, or hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia.
Additional information
1. This recruitment may be used to create a Talent Pool for similar future roles (ongoing or temporary) that may arise over the next 18 months.
2. This is a temporary role and there may be opportunities for ongoing employment at grade
3. For more information on applying visit the Ministry of Health Career portal
4. Please note the selection process will include a range of comparative assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role
Applications Close: 23:59pm on Sunday, 15 February 2026
