Senior Legal Counsel in Perth

This is a Fixed Term Full-Time position for up to 12 months (Part‑Time may be considered), with the possibility of extension(s) and/or permanency. There is currently 1 vacancy available for immediate filling.

About our Team: Our team provides in‑house legal services to the Board, Executive leadership and clinical and operational teams across the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS). This includes providing legal advice and managing litigation and commercial matters to support CAHS’ overall mission to deliver the highest quality health services to children and young people in Western Australia.

Position Profile and Role: We are seeking a lawyer with at least 5 years post admission experience with the skills to work in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment. Reporting to the CAHS General Counsel, you will provide pragmatic legal advice on complex and sensitive matters across the breadth of our health service:

• Provision of legal advice to clinical and corporate staff on a broad range of legal matters including in specialist areas such as consent to treatment, patient confidentiality, mental health and child protection;
• Support for governance and compliance functions;
• Drafting and reviewing commercial agreements;
• In conjunction with external providers, coordination of litigation to which CAHS is a party including medical negligence claims, coronial inquests, and treatment matters in the Family Court.

This role requires strong conceptual, analytical and communication skills and the ability to exercise professional judgment in the context of competing priorities. Prior litigation experience will be favourably considered.

A degree in law, evidence of admission to or eligibility for admission to the Australian legal profession and evidence of entitlement to engage in legal practice in Australia are requirements for this position.

Why Join Us? If you are passionate about making a difference in health care, we invite you to apply for this role and shape your career in an environment where your contributions truly matter.

About CAHS: The Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) is proud to be the leading service provider for paediatric healthcare in Western Australia, as the State’s only dedicated health service for infants, children and young people. CAHS comprises of four service areas: Community Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) and Neonatology. With over 6500 employees, our services are delivered at PCH and King Edward Memorial Hospitals (KEMH), as well as across a network of more than 160 community clinics across the Perth metropolitan area.

Eligibility to Apply: To be eligible for appointment, applicants must have valid Australian work rights. This includes visa holders. Permanent appointments may be made to individuals who hold citizenship, permanent residency, or visas that enable ongoing employment in Australia. Sponsorship is not currently available for this position.

Other Conditions: WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake a criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. As well as undertaking a criminal records screening and integrity checking, you may also be required to undertake a working with children check (if required for the role) and a pre‑employment health assessment. We may ask referees to comment on your integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour. Please note that adverse information does not necessarily disqualify an applicant but will be considered as part of the appointment process.

WA Health is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of our service. We embrace diversity and strongly encourage applications from people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities. In addition, we are committed to growing our Aboriginal workforce as part of WA Health Aboriginal Workforce Policy. As a measure to achieve equality, Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 applies to this position and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

Whilst this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, applicants found suitable for this position may be considered for other ‘similar’ vacancies within CAHS and/or the wider WA public sector. In addition to this, should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised vacancy, then the next most suitable applicant may also be selected from this process. Both of these options remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from when the authorised delegate endorses the recruitment decision.

CAHS is committed to providing a workplace culture that is driven and shaped by our values of Compassion, Collaboration, Equity, Respect, Excellence and Accountability. During the selection process you may be assessed on your ability to fulfil the responsibilities of this position in accordance with the values.

For Assistance including any adjustment needed to accommodate a disability and confidential enquiries – please contact the Strategic Talent Acquisition Recruitment Team (START) service via email: CAHS.TalentAcquisition@health.wa.gov.au