[Hiring] Employment Lawyer @Australian Retail Council

Role Description

We’re on the search for an Employment Lawyer for the Australian Retail Council (ARC), the unified voice of the retail community in Australia. Our associated legal practice has been at the heart of that work for years, providing specialist employment law services to our member base. With growth that has followed our recent amalgamation, we’re now expanding the legal team to meet the needs of a significantly larger client base – and we’re looking for an Employment Lawyer with 2–5 years’ PAE to join us.

We welcome applicants from Melbourne and Brisbane. Melbourne-based team members can work remotely, while Brisbane-based team members will enjoy a hybrid working arrangement with some in-office days for collaboration and connection.

What You’ll Actually Be Doing

• Employment litigation – running matters alongside experienced practitioners across disputes, unfair dismissals, adverse action and more
• Enterprise bargaining – supporting negotiations and agreement drafting for major retail employers
• Workplace investigations – conducting and advising on sensitive and complex investigations
• Wage compliance – working on large-scale compliance projects across our member base
• Fair Work Commission – award matters, applications and proceedings, with a genuine policy and advocacy dimension that sets this role apart from typical legal practice
• Advisory – delivering high-quality legal advice to members on the full range of employment and WHS issues
• Member engagement – authoring legal updates, fact sheets and bulletins; presenting at client webinars and training programs

Why This Role Stands Out

• Variety and pace – no two weeks look the same
• Real matters from the start – not just research and reviewing
• An established, high-performing legal practice – with the energy and opportunity that comes from rapid growth
• A high-profile client base – Australia’s leading retail brands
• Genuine flexibility – work remotely from Melbourne or enjoy a hybrid working arrangement from our Brisbane office
• Strong exposure to senior practitioners – in an environment that genuinely invests in your development

Qualifications

• 2 – 5 years’ PAE in employment law (private practice or in-house)
• Strong understanding of Australian employment legislation and the Fair Work framework
• Excellent written and verbal communication – you’ll be advising members and clients and producing client-facing content
• Commercially minded and solutions-focused
• Someone who thrives with autonomy and variety

How We Work

We have offices in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne with the team working in a flexible hybrid model. Most of our people work predominantly from home, with in-office time used for team collaboration and connection. We also welcome applications from candidates seeking part-time arrangements. We’re committed to making this role work for the right person, and we’re open to a conversation about what that looks like.

To Apply

If you’re an employment lawyer who wants to do interesting work, build on an already strong foundation, and grow with a team experiencing a genuinely exciting period of expansion — we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a Cover Letter telling us about yourself and your experience. Applications close 30 October 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.