Legislative drafting as a career

As a legislative drafter for the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel you’re responsible for drafting new laws and updating existing laws that impact the Victorian community.

The Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel (OCPC) is responsible for drafting Victoria’s legislation. As a drafter, you work on many law topics to create new laws, change existing laws, and become an expert in a number of fields. You also gain a unique insight into the political processes of Parliament.

OCPC also drafts or reviews and approves every statutory rule made in Victoria. This is an important and interesting task - many statutory rules are made each year regulating a wide range of activities. This task is therefore as significant in its impact on society as the preparation of Bills for Parliament.

Key tasks

  • Draft Bills for Government and non-Government members of Parliament.
  • Draft amendments to Bills.
  • Help courts and tribunals to draft their rules.
  • Develop statutory rules.

Qualifications and skills

You need a current practising certificate as an Australian legal practitioner issued by the Victorian Legal Services Board.

We also look for:

  • Creativity and problem-solving skills.
  • Advanced writing skills and a commitment to plain language.
  • Attention to detail.

As a drafter, you could work on the following topics:

  • Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage law
  • building and construction law
  • constitutional and administrative law
  • criminal law
  • emergency and security law
  • education and training law
  • electoral law
  • fair trading and consumer law
  • gambling and racing law
  • human rights
  • industrial law
  • local government and planning law
  • personal injuries and accident compensation law
  • professional regulation
  • public health and human services law
  • taxation law
  • transport, safety and infrastructure law
  • water, energy and resources law
  • wildlife protection, conservation and environment law
  • workers compensation and occupational health and safety law

Legislative drafters are public servants as well as lawyers. As public servants, they are bound to uphold Victorian Public Sector Values, including integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership and respect for human rights.

Summer internships

OCPC takes interns from the Department of Premier and Cabinet Summer Internship Program.

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