Legal Counsel - Employment and Safety

Company: Catholic Education Western Australia Limited

1.0 FTE| Ongoing | West Leederville

For more than 150 years, Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) has supported schools and communities across the state. Today, CEWA is Western Australia's second-largest education provider, supporting more than 84,500 students through a network of schools and nearly 14,000 staff.

We are seeking an experienced employment and safety lawyer to join the Strategy and Governance team within the Office of the Executive Director. Reporting to the General Counsel, you will provide timely, pragmatic and risk-based advice that supports safe workplaces, effective governance, sound decision-making and the management of legal and regulatory risk across CEWA offices and schools.

Why Join CEWA?

Salary of $153,415 plus superannuation

Additional paid leave during Christmas and Easter office closures

Flexible working arrangements where operationally appropriate

Professional development and career growth opportunities

Access to wellbeing initiatives including Fitness Passport, Employee Assistance Program and corporate health discounts

Meaningful, enterprise-wide work supporting Catholic education across Western Australia

About the Role

Working within Strategy and Governance, you will advise on a broad portfolio spanning employment law, industrial relations, work health and safety, discrimination, bullying and harassment, workplace investigations, Ombudsman reporting and related regulatory obligations. You will work with CECWA, the Executive Team, team leaders, principals and specialist teams, escalating complex or higher-risk matters to the General Counsel.

Key responsibilities include:

Provide practical legal advice on employment, industrial relations and work health and safety matters to support informed decisions and effective risk management.

Support workplace investigations, complaints, employee claims and dispute resolution, including general protections and unfair dismissal matters.

Undertake legal research, draft submissions and support CEWA in negotiations, mediations and proceedings, subject to delegated authority and direction.

Advise on employment relations strategy, enterprise bargaining, and award and agreement interpretation in partnership with People and Culture.

Review legislation, regulation and case law, and draft or review contracts, agreements, deeds, policies and supporting resources.

Maintain legal professional privilege, confidentiality, accurate records and compliance with professional, ethical and regulatory obligations.

About You

You are a commercially minded employment lawyer who combines sound legal judgment with a practical, solutions-focused approach. You work effectively both independently and collaboratively, build trusted stakeholder relationships and deliver accurate, high-quality advice within defined timeframes.

Bachelor's degree in law, or equivalent, admission to practice and an unrestricted legal practising certificate from the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia.

A minimum of four years' post-admission experience.

Demonstrated experience advising on employment law, industrial relations, workplace investigations and work health and safety matters.

Experience working in complex environments, with sound judgment in prioritising work, managing risk and communicating with stakeholders.

Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with a commitment to accuracy and quality outcomes.

Prepared to support the Catholic ethos in the performance of your duties.

Highly regarded:

Awareness of CEWA governance arrangements and the governance and compliance requirements for non-government schools in Western Australia.

The successful applicant will be required to provide:

A National Criminal History Check issued by the Department of Education WA.

100 points of identification.

Applications close no later than 5:00pm 28 September 2026.

All employees of Catholic Education Western Australia are required to support the Catholic ethos in the performance of your duties. Catholic Education Western Australia encourages applications from people of all cultural backgrounds, First Nations peoples, and individuals with disabilities or medical conditions who meet the requirements of the position. To be eligible to apply, you must be legally permitted to work in Australia.

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