Law Clerk Melbourne

About the role

WorkSafe Victoria is expanding its Workers Compensation Independent Review Service (WCIRS), and looking for a Law Clerk to join a newly created team.

 

The Workers Compensation Independent Review Service provides a non-statutory review framework for decisions made by claims agents under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 and Accident Compensation Act 1985 on behalf of WorkSafe.

 

WCIRS reviews disputed workers’ compensation decisions in a manner that ensures fair, reasonable and sustainable outcomes that assist WorkSafe to support workers through their recovery and provide effective occupational rehabilitation and early return to work through suitable employment opportunities.

 

Working within clear and established management systems, legislative/regulatory provisions and professional standards, the Law Clerk is expected to support the Lead Counsel, Senior and non-Senior Independent Review Officers (S/IRO’s) with planning, investigating and gathering information in the preparation of review findings.

 

Key accountabilities

• Assessing and triaging independent review requests for validity against prerequisite criteria, assessing complexity and urgency and allocating reviews
• Locating, collating and summarising key evidence and information for independent review officers in relation to individual requests for review
• Under the supervision of Lead Counsel, drafting review findings, including by fairly and impartially analysing and summarising factual backgrounds and key evidence, applying legal principles and providing reasons for outcomes
• Conducting legal research in areas of case law, policy and other legislation to ensure the team is across new, emerging and existing issues in personal injury litigation and compensation
• Researching, drafting, updating and maintaining relevant legal policies and practices, correspondence, templates, registers and databases

 

Please read the Position Description here for additional information on accountabilities for this role.

 

About you

You are an experienced legal professional who wants to make a difference. Your communication and organisational skills are highly developed, and you have the ability to work under pressure and organise work priorities to meet tight deadlines. You effectively and tactfully deal with a wide range of stakeholders, and enjoy working as a part of a team but have the capability to work independently with minimal supervision.

 

Your skills and experience will also include:

• Experience with a legal, agent or professional services environment with knowledge of the specific administrative/operational function of WCIRS
• You will also be able to interpret, communicate, research, provide information on procedure, identify trends and anomalies, and resolve stakeholder complex issues
• Demonstrated experience in the Victorian workers’ compensation framework, with knowledge of the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 (Vic) and the Victorian workers’ compensation statutory framework
• Demonstrated experience in conducting administrative and merit reviews
• Highly developed alternative dispute resolution, conflict resolution and facilitation skills
• Demonstrated ability to present review outcomes and learnings to internal and external stakeholder groups
• Understanding of the principles of statutory interpretation and legal precedent
• Knowledge of ACCtion and NOVUS would be an advantage

 

Working with Us

At WorkSafe, we aspire for every employee to feel connected, safe and valued in their team, for teams to feel valued in the workplace, and for WorkSafe to be valued in the community.

 

We believe that a diverse workforce is the key to delivering the best outcomes for the Victorian community and strongly encourage applications from all people, including First Nations people and people with disability, diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, sexualities and genders.