At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex criminal litigation and provide strategic legal advice.
- Company: Join the CDPP, a key player in Australian public safety.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible work, and a $295 wellbeing allowance.
- Other info: Opportunities for mentorship and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape ethical prosecutions that impact community trust and safety.
- Qualifications: Experienced legal professionals with criminal litigation expertise.
The predicted salary is between 82800 - 101200 $ per year.
We are seeking legal professionals with a focused, strategic, and collaborative mindset to lead and support complex, sensitive and at times high profile criminal litigation outcomes. This is an opportunity to work on significant matters, not seen in any other environment, and develop your legal career in directions that most other government agencies cannot provide.
As a Senior Federal Prosecutor (SFP), you will:
- instruct Counsel in sentences, trials and appeals, also representing the Director in court, forums and conferences;
- use your extensive legal judgment expertise to make legal decisions and recommendations, within tight deadlines;
- lead and support significant prosecutions on behalf of the Director;
- provide legal advice to the Director and partner agencies to drive prosecution outcomes;
- apply relevant legislation, policy and procedures to frame criminal charges and determine how allegations of criminal wrongdoing are to be alleged before the court;
- use cutting edge technology to assess briefs of evidence;
- actively develop positive, productive and collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
- support the enhancement of the CDPP legal capability, including through the coaching and mentoring of junior legal staff.
What we are looking for:
You are seasoned legal professionals, ideally with criminal litigation expertise, who thrive on complexity and can easily refine complex evidentiary material into clear, actionable strategy. Your communication and people expertise must match your legal technical skills — you will know how to command a courtroom, negotiate effectively with defence counsel, and build trusted relationships with investigative partner agencies. Beyond your legal expertise, you are a problem solver, natural mentor and enjoy coaching junior lawyers to sharpen their litigation instincts. You pride yourself on your integrity and identify with and will uphold the values and conduct expected in the Australian Public Services (APS). We are looking for a lawyer who combines strong technical capability with sound judgement, initiative and a practical understanding of the complex regulated environment in which government legal work is delivered.
Why Join Us:
This role offers the opportunity to combine technical legal practice with leadership, strategic advice, stakeholder engagement and meaningful improvements to the way prosecution work is done. If you are looking for a career and employer where your legal acumen directly shapes and supports effective, ethical and high quality criminal prosecutions and is critical to public trust and safety for the Australian community, then this opportunity at the CDPP is your next step.
No matter where you work with us, you’ll have access to:
- unique and challenging work;
- generous leave entitlements with additional paid time off during the Christmas close-down period;
- clear and transparent salary progression, and scheduled salary increases;
- 15.4% superannuation;
- flexible working arrangements that promote work-life balance;
- a $295 annual wellbeing allowance;
- free and confidential 24/7 counselling through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), available for staff and their family members.
Senior Federal Prosecutor in Melbourne employer: Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Sydney that fosters professional growth and development. With generous leave entitlements, flexible working arrangements, and a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, the CDPP ensures that its staff are supported both personally and professionally. Join us to engage in meaningful work that contributes to the integrity of the justice system while enjoying a collaborative culture and clear pathways for career advancement.
Contact Details:
Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions Recruitment Team
