Assistant Parliamentary Counsel

Parliamentary Counsel's Office

Assistant Parliamentary Counsel

Ongoing Legal Officer Grade VI role, Sydney CBD and creation of a talent pool

About the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office (PCO)

The NSW Parliamentary Counsel’s Office (PCO) is a Public Service executive agency related to The Cabinet Office. We are responsible for drafting legislation for New South Wales, including Bills for introduction into Parliament and a wide range of statutory instruments such as regulations, rules, proclamations and orders. We also provide drafting services for non-Government Members of Parliament under arrangements approved by Government.

PCO also delivers the editorial, publishing and access services that support the NSW statute book. We manage the NSW legislation website which is the only official NSW Government site for online access to legislation, publishing "as made" and consolidated versions, as well as Bills and related material, so the community and government can access accurate, up-to-date legislation.

Our work ensures the laws of NSW are clear, effective and accessible, supporting government, Parliament and the people of New South Wales.

Why work with us?

At PCO you’ll join a small, expert team that sits at the centre of the NSW legislative process, working with instructing agencies, Cabinet and Parliament to turn policy into clear, workable law. You will be supported by a strong peer review culture, close collaboration with editorial and publishing specialists, and access to ongoing learning that builds deep expertise in legislative drafting.

We offer:

1. Meaningful impact: your drafting helps shape the laws that govern everyday life in NSW, with work that is visible and enduring.
2. Breadth and complexity: work across a wide range of subject areas and instruments, from new Bills and significant amendments to complex regulations and other statutory instruments.
3. Support, development and flexibility: a collaborative environment with mentoring and peer review, and flexible working arrangements consistent across the sector.

About the role:

The Assistant Parliamentary Counsel (Grade VI) undertakes complex legislative drafting and provides expert advice on legislative proposals within strict parliamentary and government timeframes.

Working with a high degree of independence under the guidance of senior executive drafters, you will contribute to legislative drafting programs by analysing proposals, developing legislative solutions and producing high-quality Bills and subordinate legislation that are clear, accurate and expressed in plain language.

We are seeking an Assistant Parliamentary Counsel to support PCO’s broader drafting program, drafting a mix of primary and subordinate legislation across government. In this role you will draft and settle Bills, regulations and other statutory instruments (for example, rules, proclamations and orders) and provide drafting support during the Parliamentary process, including amendments in Committee as required.

Review the role description here.

If possible, we will also be seeking to create a talent pool for other possible Assistant Parliamentary Counsel roles that may be available. Information on talent pools is available here.

Key skills and experience:

We are looking for someone who enjoys translating policy into clear, accurate and workable legislation, and who values precision, structure and plain language. You will work closely with instructing agencies and other stakeholders to identify intended outcomes, test implementation issues and resolve legal and practical problems, often within strict parliamentary and program deadlines and with careful attention to impacts on rights and the coherence of the NSW statute book.

Essential requirements include:

• Admitted or eligible for admission in Australia as an Australian legal practitioner and holding a practising certificate as a barrister or solicitor.
• A detailed knowledge of NSW law, constitutional law, and parliamentary and legislative processes.
• Extensive experience in the techniques and processes for the drafting of legislation and the translation and application of legislative proposals.

Location & flexibility

This position is primarily based in Sydney CBD, with flexible working arrangements available in accordance with NSW Public Sector guidelines.

How to apply

Please submit:

• A cover letter (up to 2 pages) outlining how your skills and experience align with the role’s key requirements and essential criteria.
• Responses to the 2 below screening questions (up to 2 pages)

1. Describe a drafting project (or similar) for which you have been responsible in the past 12 months, including the challenges it presented and how you dealt with those challenges.
2. Describe a situation in which you found yourself having to deal with competing deadlines or priorities on a legal project, and how you dealt with those challenges.

• Your resume (maximum 5 pages).

Closing date: 19 May 2026

Candidates may request a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process. Please let us know in your application if you require adjustments or alternative formats to participate or if there is anything we can do to assist, please contact us.

Contact

For more information, please contact Daniel Palmer, Director, Corporate Services and Operations by email at hr.pco@pco.nsw.gov.au.

Our commitment

PCO acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and recognise the continuing connection of First Nations peoples to Country.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disability, carers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.