Legal Counsel - 12 Month Contract

Full time non ongoing 12 month role based in Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth

Flexible Hybrid Work Environment / Opportunity to make a difference

Salary range $157,688 to $169,245 (plus 15.4% super)

Are you ready for a rewarding role that contributes to the self-determination of First Nations peoples? We have an exciting opportunity for a Legal Counsel to join our dedicated ILSC Legal Team.

Who are we?

The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) is a corporate Commonwealth entity established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 2005 Act (Cth) and subject to the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. The ILSC assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to realise economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits that the ownership and management of land, water and water related rights can bring. The ILSC provides this assistance through the acquisition and management of rights and interests in land, salt water and fresh water country.

What is the role?

The ILSC Legal Team provides legal services to all areas of the ILSC in the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 (Cth).

Under the direction of the Legal Practice Manager, you will provide a wide range of legal services to the ILSC at solicitor level and assist with the coordination and delivery of complementary support services undertaken by the administrative staff.

The occupant of this position will be able to demonstrate the possession of the following criteria:

• Ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with an understanding of their cultures, perspectives, and the issues affecting First Nations communities.
• Admission as a legal practitioner with a minimum of 4 years post admission experience.
• Sound knowledge of and experience in one or more of property law, commercial law, administrative law, corporate law and Native Title law.
• Highly developed drafting, research, analysis and report writing skills to inform, advise and effectively deal with complex legal matters, complex research, adapting legal reasoning to novel questions of law within required timeframe.
• Make recommendations in regard to critical issues.
• Experience in briefing Counsel.
• Highly developed communication skills to effectively facilitate and negotiate significant outcomes with a wide range of people.
• Ability to work cooperatively with a wide range of people, to facilitate the ILSC achieving its commercial objectives and ensuring legal compliance.
• Experience in engaging and managing external legal service providers.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to effectively facilitate and negotiate significant outcomes.

Qualifications:

• Formal degree qualifications in Law.
• Admission as a legal practitioner with a minimum of 4 years post admission experience.
• Worked in one or more fields of law relevant to the work of the ILSC Legal Team (such as property, Native Title, contract, commercial, administrative).

At the ILSC we offer:

More than just a job. We offer you the opportunity to make a real, positive difference to the lives of First Nations peoples. When we return land and water Country to Indigenous ownership, or fund a new Indigenous enterprise or management project, we strengthen and deepen Indigenous connection to Country and advance progress towards self-determination.

Generous leave entitlements and work conditions, including:

• 15.4% superannuation on top of your salary
• Flexible hybrid work environment (2 days WFH)
• Not-For-Profit salary packaging
• Paid leave over the Christmas and New Year’s period
• Access to generous parental leave
• Training and development opportunities
• Generous Studies Assistance program

Health and wellbeing programs:

• Healthy Employment Scheme (HES) – An annual allowance towards your wellbeing
• Screen Based Equipment Scheme – Includes eye testing and an allowance towards spectacles
• Free Skin Checks

If you have a passion to drive change and want your work to align with your values to make a real difference, we invite you to apply now and start the conversation.

The preferred applicant will be engaged under the provisions of the ILSC Enterprise Agreement.

TARGETED VACANCY

– This role is open to all applicants, however those who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and meet the requirements and are ranked suitable for the role will be given priority consideration in this recruitment process.

Applications are to include a current CV and covering letter (covering letter to be maximum 2 pages detailing how your skills and experience align with the position profile). Further information may be requested if you are selected for interview. You must be an Australian resident to apply for this role.

If you’d like to find out more, please contact Caitlin Richards – General Counsel on .

For the position profile and to apply please visit the ILSC Careers page at: our-opportunities/careers/legal-counsel-12-month-contract

Applications close Wednesday 28 January 2026.

At the ILSC we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace to ensure our workforce is representative of the communities we support.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.