HOW TO BECOME A GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR LAWYER
YOUR PATHWAY INTO GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR LAW
Government and Public Sector law focuses on how laws are created, interpreted, and applied to serve the public interest. It covers the work of lawyers who advise or act for government departments, agencies, and regulators to ensure that decisions and policies align with legal and ethical standards.
As a Government and Public Sector lawyer, you help shape how the law is used to implement policy and protect the rights of citizens. Whether you work in a government department, statutory authority, or regulatory body, your work has direct impact on public life and national decision-making.
At the College of Law, you can specialise in Government and Public Sector Law, equipping you to navigate complex legislation and contribute to effective public administration.
At-a-glance: How to Become a Government and Public Sector Lawyer
This page covers:
- What does a government and public sector lawyer do?
- Is government and public sector law a good area to specialise in?
- Government lawyer salary and career progression
- Who do government lawyers work with?
- How do I get a government job in law?
- How stressful is government and public sector law compared to other areas?
- Pros and cons of a career in government and public sector law
- What skills do you need for government and public sector law?
- How do I become a government and public sector lawyer?
WHAT DOES A GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR LAWYER DO?
Government and Public Sector lawyers work in varied roles, from providing policy advice to representing the government in legal matters. You may act for the government as a client, for example, within the Australian Government Solicitor’s Office, or advise a ministry or department on how laws should be interpreted and implemented.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Advising on legislation and regulatory frameworks
- Drafting policies, submissions, and ministerial briefings
- Representing agencies in tribunals or judicial reviews
- Managing compliance and risk within public programs
- Supporting the development and application of new laws
Many lawyers in private practice also encounter public sector issues through dealings in land registration, licensing, or challenges to administrative decisions.
IS GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR LAW A GOOD AREA TO SPECIALISE IN?
Yes. Government and Public Sector law offers stability, professional purpose, and intellectual challenge. As regulation expands across industries, lawyers with expertise in public law are increasingly in demand, both within government and in compliance roles across the private sector.
You’ll gain insight into how public institutions function, how policy becomes law, and how laws evolve in response to social and political change. It’s a field suited to those who want to combine analytical thinking with public service.
GOVERNMENT LAWYER SALARY AND CAREER PROGRESSION
Government lawyers in Australia continue to see strong salary growth and clear long-term career pathways. In 2025, lawyers working in government agencies recorded one of the highest pay increases across the legal profession.
According to the College of Law’s Legal Salary Survey 2025, these roles offer long-term stability, steady career progression and the chance to do meaningful work that makes a real impact in public service.
Key findings from the 2025 survey:
- Government agencies recorded the highest base salary growth, second only to boutique law firms
- The average government lawyer salary increased to $108,663, up 7 percent from 2024
- 81 percent of government agency lawyers received a promotion or pay rise in the past two years
This data highlights government and public sector law as a financially stable and professionally rewarding career path, with strong prospects for advancement within Australia’s legal system.
Government agency salaries 2024–2025
Download this infographic to compare 2024 and 2025 corporate legal salaries, bonuses and satisfaction levels.
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| Key insights | 2024 | 2025 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average salary | $101,718 | $108,663 | ↑ 7% |
| Proportion eligible for bonuses | 7% | 9% | ↑ 2 percentage points |
| Received a promotion or pay rise (past 1–2 years) | 79% | 81% | ↑ 2 percentage points |
| Discussion around education/training needs | 18% | 12% | ↓ 6 percentage points |
| Satisfaction with current salary | N/A | 51% | – |
HOW TO NAIL YOUR PUBLIC SECTOR JOB INTERVIEWS
Explore career coach Lisa Tozer’s top strategies to prepare for your job interview in the public sector.
WHO DO GOVERNMENT LAWYERS WORK WITH?
You’ll work closely with:
- Government departments, ministers, and senior public servants
- Statutory bodies and regulatory agencies
- Tribunals and courts handling administrative matters
- Private clients or corporations interacting with government processes
Collaboration and diplomacy are key. You’ll often advise decision-makers and help shape how policy is implemented within complex legal frameworks.
HOW DO I GET A GOVERNMENT JOB IN LAW?
Embarking on a legal career in local, state, or federal government can be a compelling move. Government roles offer diverse practice areas, clear career pathways, and often stronger work-life balance. They are also highly competitive and require a clear understanding of recruitment, experience, and progression in the public sector.
Learn more about how to get a government job in law.
I regularly apply the practical skills learnt through the course in my day-to-day practice. There’s no doubt I will continue to do so in the future.
Krish Nath, LLM Graduate - Commercial Litigation
I think my favourite thing about the study that I've done at the College of Law is the different experiences of all the lecturers, and tutors. Their practical experience that they were able to give us in terms of the content and was always so helpful and insightful.
Jessica Popple, LLM Graduate - Family Law
HOW STRESSFUL IS GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR LAW COMPARED TO OTHER AREAS?
While the work can be demanding, especially under political or public scrutiny, many lawyers find it highly rewarding. The stakes are significant, but so is the impact. Your work contributes directly to fair decision-making, policy development, and the rule of law.
The structure and purpose-driven nature of government roles also provide a strong sense of balance and meaning compared to more commercially driven practice areas.
PROS AND CONS OF A CAREER IN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR LAW
For many lawyers, the opportunity to serve the public interest outweighs these challenges and provides long-term professional fulfilment.
Eliza Amparo, Acting Deputy Director at the CDPP, lifts the veil on the life of a public prosecutor, a pathway she says will offer world-class training and an inspiring career. Explore what it’s like to be a public prosecutor.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
Meaningful work that contributes to the public good |
Complex decision-making environments |
|
Opportunities to influence policy and law reform |
Slower processes compared to private practice |
|
Stability and clear career progression |
Balancing political sensitivity with legal independence |
|
Strong demand for expertise in compliance and regulation |
HOW DO I BECOME A GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR LAWYER?
Your typical pathway includes:
- Completing a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD)
- Completing Practical Legal Training (PLT) – Administrative Law is an elective subject
- Gaining admission through your state’s regulatory authority
- Completing supervised practice, ideally within a government or regulatory setting
- Continuing learning through postgraduate study
The College of Law’s Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Government and Public Sector Law builds advanced capability in areas such as privacy management, statutory interpretation, and government contracting. Or you can start with a Graduate Diploma of Applied Law (Government and Public Sector Law) and complete in half the time.
Subjects are taught by experienced practitioners who understand the realities of working in or with the government.
ADVANCING YOUR CAREER WITH THE COLLEGE OF LAW
Whether you work as a government solicitor, policy adviser or regulatory lawyer, postgraduate study with the College of Law strengthens your ability to interpret, apply and influence the law within public institutions.
You’ll build confidence in areas like administrative law, tribunal advocacy, and policy drafting. These are essential skills for lawyers operating where the law meets public accountability.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. It offers stability, purpose, and a unique opportunity to influence policy and governance. As regulation grows across industries, lawyers with expertise in public law are in demand in both government and the private sector. Explore postgraduate study in Government and Public Sector Law.
Subjects are designed to build practical understanding of government processes, regulation, and decision-making. They include:
- Foundations of Government and Public Sector Law
- Privacy and Information Management
- Legislation and its Interpretation
- Contracting, Procurement and Probity
Each subject is taught by experienced practitioners who understand how law operates within public institutions.
You can study either:
- The Graduate Diploma of Applied Law (Government and Public Sector Law) – four core subjects focused on public law fundamentals, or
- The Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Government and Public Sector Law – which includes three government subjects, four electives from other areas, and a Capstone project. This structure lets you build depth in government law or broaden your expertise across practice areas such as Business Law or Dispute Resolution.
Analytical thinking, strong communication, and policy insight are key. You’ll need to interpret legislation, manage complex stakeholder relationships, and provide clear, balanced advice to decision-makers. These skills are valuable in related areas like Regulatory Law and Administrative Decision-Making.
Postgraduate study deepens your expertise in government processes and equips you to handle complex legislative and regulatory work. It also provides pathways to leadership roles within government, policy, or compliance.
Government and public sector lawyers use CPD to strengthen skills across governance, regulatory compliance, policy implementation and risk management.
CPD focused on environmental, social and governance obligations is increasingly important for lawyers advising government agencies and public institutions. Introduction to ESG in Australasia: Practice Guide builds foundational knowledge of ESG law and practice, helping lawyers understand obligations across operations, procurement and supply chains.
The CPD Digital Subscription provides on-demand access to a library of 150+ CPD courses, allowing you to build knowledge across all mandatory areas and focus on topics most relevant to government and public sector practice at your own pace.
