Legal and Compliance Officer

Be challenged and imagine with us

As Legal and Compliance Officer you will play an integral role in supporting the University’s Legal and Compliance team across a wide range of functions, including legal services, privacy, information access, legislative compliance, and complaints management.

This is a varied and rewarding position where you’ll contribute to meaningful projects, work closely with experienced professionals, and develop your skills in a dynamic environment.

In this role you will:

• Assist with drafting legal documents, briefing notes, and correspondence to support internal advice and decision-making.
• Conduct legal research and contribute to investigations arising from formal complaints and whistleblower reports.
• Coordinate and process information access (GIPA) applications, including document collation and redaction.
• Deliver process improvement initiatives and projects across legal and compliance functions. 
• Maintain accurate records, manage reporting requirements, and support the preparation of materials for external legal counsel and regulatory bodies.

This continuing position is full time and will be located at the Callaghan Campus (Awabakal land).

How will you inspire us?

You will have:

• Strong knowledge of legal and compliance processes, a relevant law degree is highly regarded.
• Exceptional attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and confidence working collaboratively across teams and disciplines.

What we offer

The remuneration for this position is Higher Education Worker Level 7 + 17% superannuation and is commensurate with skills and experience. 

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively. 

These include: 

• 17% super and salary packaging.
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal, life, and parental leave, annual leave loading, and additional purchased leave scheme.
• Discounts on private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more.
• A range of support and wellbeing programs.

For more information on benefits and conditions, please follow this link.

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision are our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability.

Your next steps

Important information before you apply:

• If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ (or equivalent) to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy from the Related Documents section before commencing your application.
• Applications for this position will only be accepted from those with Australian residency or a valid work permit.

Your application:

Your application must include:

• Your resume.
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity.
• A statement addressing the Essential Criteria listed below (these may differ slightly from the Position Description, please only respond to the below in your application).

1. A relevant degree with at least 3 years relevant experience, coupled with legislative, regulatory, legal or paralegal experience or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
2. Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams, manage multiple projects and deliver expected outcomes within competing deadlines.
3. Outstanding written communication skills, with an excellent level of attention to detail, problem solving skills including the capacity for lateral thinking and conceptual and analytical skills.

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document. This document should not exceed 3 pages.

We value diversity and strive to ensure that our recruitment processes are equitable, inclusive, and barrier-free. If you require an alternative pathway to view the Position Description or to submit an application, please reach out to employment@newcastle.edu.au.

We also seek to provide a fair chance to all applicants by providing reasonable adjustments where required during the assessment and interview phases of the recruitment process.

Contact Us

For specific position enquiries, please contact Kate Miller, Senior Legal Counsel on (02) 4921 7728 or via email at kate.miller@newcastle.edu.au

Having technical difficulties? Please reach out to us: employment@newcastle.edu.au Please note, we do not accept email applications.

Closing date: Tuesday 2 December 2025 at 11.59pm AEDT

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you

We provide opportunities for all people regardless of their background and experience, and this philosophy is reflected across all that we do. 

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.  

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