Senior Lawyer - Safety & Regulatory

* Be at the forefront of shaping national rail safety through high-impact legal work that supports strategic regulatory objectives and community wellbeing. * Join a collaborative team environment that values inclusivity, professional development and shared success. * Enjoy a flexible working culture with opportunities for interstate travel, exposure to complex legal matters, and the chance to influence policy at both state and national levels.

A unique opportunity has arisen for a Senior Lawyer to play a pivotal role in advancing rail safety across Australia within The Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR). You will be immersed in an inclusive, values-driven culture that champions integrity, respect, independence, diligence, and excellence. With structured training programmes and opportunities for professional growth, this role provides the perfect platform for those passionate about making a difference in public safety while further developing their legal expertise.

• Be at the forefront of shaping national rail safety through high-impact legal work that supports strategic regulatory objectives and community wellbeing.
• Join a collaborative team environment that values inclusivity, professional development and shared success.
• Enjoy a flexible working culture with opportunities for interstate travel, exposure to complex legal matters, and the chance to influence policy at both state and national levels.

What you'll do:

As a Senior Lawyer, your day-to-day responsibilities will centre around delivering expert legal support that underpins critical regulatory decisions affecting rail safety nationwide. Your expertise will also be called upon in shaping policy responses to emerging risks within the sector. Success in this position requires not only technical proficiency but also a commitment to teamwork, knowledge sharing, and upholding the highest standards of professional conduct.

• Provide timely and high-quality legal advice to investigators and key decision makers across the organisation, ensuring all actions are legally robust and aligned with regulatory frameworks.
• Represent the organisation in courts across Australia, including by appearing and instructing counsel as required to support effective enforcement outcomes.
• Deliver legal guidance to investigations teams and operational staff on emerging issues, evidentiary matters, and use of legal powers.
• Review briefs of evidence thoroughly and prepare detailed sufficiency assessments to inform enforcement recommendations.
• Design and deliver comprehensive training sessions for investigations teams on relevant legal topics such as evidentiary standards and new legislative developments.
• Contribute expert insights on strategic enforcement initiatives by providing nuanced legal analysis that shapes organisational direction.
• Maintain an up-to-date legal database of advice, decisions, and outcomes to ensure consistency and knowledge sharing across the organisation.
• Offer strategic input into the development of policies and strategies aimed at managing legal risk within the parameters of regulatory activities.
• Oversee the management of external legal service providers to guarantee efficient delivery of high-quality services.
• Represent the organisation in interjurisdictional forums, committees, and working groups to advance best practice approaches in rail safety law.

What you bring:

To excel as a Senior Lawyer in this setting, you will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in statutory interpretation and legal drafting with a proven track record in managing complex prosecutions within regulatory or safety-related contexts.
• At least five years’ post-admission experience as a practising lawyer with significant exposure to prosecution work.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate complex concepts clearly while building strong relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Proven capacity to operate effectively within evolving environments, showing resilience when faced with challenges and balancing multiple priorities efficiently.
• Advanced strategic thinking abilities demonstrated through problem analysis, solution formulation, negotiation skills, and successful execution of agreed outcomes.
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams towards shared goals while contributing positively to team culture.
• Legal qualifications including an appropriate practising certificate are essential; additional experience prosecuting safety duty offences or similar matters is highly desirable.
• Strong organisational skills evidenced by effective management of case files, deadlines, and competing demands without compromising quality or accuracy.
• Commitment to ethical practice standards consistent with codes of conduct governing public sector or regulatory roles.

What sets this company apart:

ONRSR stands out as Australia’s independent authority dedicated exclusively to promoting safe rail operations nationwide. Joining ONRSR means being part of a collective effort focused squarely on safeguarding communities through effective regulation grounded in fairness and transparency. Its culture is built on core values such as integrity, respect, independence, diligence, and excellence. Employees benefit from a genuinely inclusive workplace where diversity is embraced at all levels, creating space for everyone’s voice to be heard. Flexible working arrangements recognise life’s demands outside work.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply.
To apply please click apply or call Robert Kruger on +61 2 8289 3230 for a confidential discussion.