Power Up Your Legal Career: Your 60-Second Guide to the Australian Law Reform Commission ⚖️
Ever wondered how federal laws get re-examined, modernized, and improved? Curious about carving out a high-impact, government-sector career that shapes the future of Australian legislation? Look no further than the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC)! We’ve parsed through their latest Annual Report so you don’t have to. Below is your comprehensive — yet concise — guide that reveals the ALRC’s purpose, its key achievements, and how you can become part of its dynamic team.
AT-A-GLANCE:
Name of Department / Council: Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC)
Location: Head office in Melbourne, with an office in Brisbane (nationwide focus)
CEO: The Hon Justice Mordecai Bromberg (President)
Total Revenue: Approximately AUD $4.64 million
Total Number of Employees: 16 APS staff
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO
Top 5 Academic Qualifications Most Suited:
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) – Essential for drafting and analyzing legislative reform.
Bachelor of Arts (Policy Studies / Political Science) – Equips you with robust policy and research capabilities.
Bachelor of Business / Commerce – Valuable for effective budget planning and resource management.
Bachelor of Information Technology – Increasingly critical for legal-tech solutions and data analysis.
Diploma in Government (or Public Administration) – Provides a practical understanding of government processes.
Top 5 Certifications Most Suited:
Certificate in Project Management – Coordinates multiple inquiries efficiently.
Certificate in Legal Administration / Paralegal Studies – Strengthens foundational legal support skills.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – Maintains transparency in financial operations and auditing.
PRINCE2 / Agile PM Certification – Streamlines project timelines and stakeholder interactions.
Certificate IV in Government Investigations – Bolsters capability to review and ensure legal compliance.
Top 5 Trades / Professions Most Suited:
Legal Practitioners (Solicitors, Barristers) – Core contributors to inquiry findings and legal drafting.
Policy Advisors / Policy Officers – Steer strategic priorities by assessing broad impacts of legislative proposals.
Research Officers / Researchers – Deep-dive into case law, statutes, and community impacts.
Administrative Professionals – Vital for operational support and seamless office administration.
ICT Specialists – Manage databases, online platforms, and digital assets crucial for modern law reform.
Top 5 Skills Most Suited:
Analytical Thinking – Interpreting and restructuring complex legislation is at the heart of ALRC work.
Strong Written Communication – Crafting clear, well-evidenced reports for a range of audiences.
Project Coordination – Balancing multiple inquiries and strict deadlines.
Stakeholder Engagement – Essential for government, community, and expert consultations.
Strategic Planning – Keeps reform proposals forward-focused and impactful.
Top 5 Work Experiences Most Suited:
Public Policy Roles – Familiarity with government systems and policy analysis.
Legal Practice or Court Administration – Offers direct insight into legal processes and how laws are applied.
Government Contracting / Consulting – Demonstrates capacity to work within structured public-sector frameworks.
Academic Research / University Teaching – Provides strong theoretical grounding and critical analysis skills.
Community or Advocacy Work – Ensures an understanding of real-world implications of policy changes.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC)
Name of CEO: The Hon Justice Mordecai Bromberg (President)
Location: Nationwide focus; offices in Melbourne and Brisbane
Year Founded: 1975
Main Mission and Purpose of the Department: The ALRC delivers independent, evidence-based recommendations aimed at simplifying and modernizing Australia’s federal laws. For instance, if legislation concerning family law or financial services becomes unnecessarily complex, the ALRC steps in to consult, research, and propose practical reforms that benefit everyone—from everyday citizens to industry and government.
Main Duties of the Department: The ALRC conducts formal inquiries (referred by the Attorney-General), consults broadly with experts and community members, and publishes reports that guide lawmakers. A real-world example is its recent review of religious educational institutions and anti-discrimination laws, ensuring legal frameworks are fair and effective for all.
Key Projects, Key Strategic Priorities, Future Plans and Initiatives: Recent inquiries include in-depth looks at financial services legislation and justice responses to sexual violence. Future plans will continue to focus on areas of law where clarity and modernization can greatly improve public outcomes.
Did You Know?
In 2025, the ALRC will mark its 50th anniversary—celebrating half a century of shaping the Australian legal framework!
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees: 16 APS staff
Total Number of Employees at Each Pay Level:
EL2 (Executive Level 2): 4
EL1 (Executive Level 1): 3
APS 5–6: 9
APS 3–4: 0
Salary Bands: From about $68,472 (APS 3) up to $164,486 (EL2)
Average Salary in the Department: Approximately $120,000 per year
Total Revenue: Around $4.64 million
Average Revenue per Employee: Roughly $290,000 per employee
GETTING A JOB AT THE AUSTRALIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION
When applying, be sure to emphasize your educational background, relevant certifications, and especially your practical experiences in law, policy, or analysis. Specific job titles commonly sought in ALRC recruitment include Research Legal Officer, Policy Officer, and Communications Officer.
Which Academic Subjects Are Likely to Be Most Sought After?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Diploma of Government (or Public Administration): Offers essential insights into bureaucratic processes.
Certificate IV in Project Management: Guides the successful execution of concurrent law reform tasks.
Certificate in Legal Studies: Builds a fundamental understanding of legal concepts and administration.
Diploma of Business: Provides the basics of operational management within the public sector.
Certificate in Community Services: Enhances the ability to engage empathetically with diverse community stakeholders.
Bachelor / Master Level:
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) / Juris Doctor (JD): Central to interpreting and drafting proposed legislative amendments.
Bachelor/Master of Public Policy / Political Science: Cultivates analytical skills for robust legislative review.
Master of Business Administration (MBA): Useful for strategy, leadership, and financial oversight.
Master of IT / Data Analytics: Crucial for managing and analyzing large datasets in evidence-based law reform.
Bachelor/Master of Communications: Refines the art of clear, compelling public engagement and report writing.
PhDs:
Doctor of Philosophy (Law): Ideal for in-depth, specialized research on complex legal matters.
PhD in Public Policy or Governance: Brings high-level insight into regulatory environments.
PhD in Criminology / Justice Studies: Valued in reform areas focusing on criminal law or justice systems.
Which Trades and Professions Are Likely to Be Most Sought After?
Lawyers, Solicitors, Policy Advisors, Librarians/Archivists, and IT Specialists regularly feature in ALRC recruitment advertisements.
Which Work Experiences Are Likely to Be Most Sought After?
Experience within government departments or parliamentary committees
Legal research or academic roles
NGOs, community legal centres, or advocacy groups
Which Skills Are Likely to Be Most Sought After and of Value?
Soft Skills:
Critical Thinking 🧠 – For dissecting complex statutes and case law.
Empathy & Listening – Helps understand how laws impact different communities.
Collaboration – Stakeholder engagements often span multiple sectors.
Adaptability – Legal landscapes shift rapidly, and new inquiries can start at short notice.
Networking – Key for partnering effectively with government agencies, think tanks, and community orgs.
Technical Skills:
Legal Drafting – Ensures clarity and precision in reports.
Data Analysis 📊 – Underpins evidence-based recommendations for legislative changes.
Project Management – Coordinates large-scale reforms efficiently.
Digital Literacy – Increasingly central for e-consultations and research management.
Policy Research – Critical for shaping thoughtful, forward-looking legal frameworks.
General Skills:
Report Writing – Communicate insights in plain, actionable language.
Public Speaking – Present ALRC findings at conferences or stakeholder meetings.
Organisational Skills – Juggling multiple deadlines under formal governance structures.
Time Management – Stay on schedule for each stage of an inquiry.
Negotiation – Balance differing viewpoints to reach workable reform proposals.
Which Hobbies and Interests Align with the Work of This Department?
Tracking current affairs, legislative changes, and attending or tuning into parliamentary sessions
Participating in debate clubs or writing legal/policy articles
Volunteering with non-profits or local community groups
WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THIS DEPARTMENT?
Postal Address: PO Box 209, Flinders Lane, Victoria 8009
Telephone: +61 436 940 119
Email: info@alrc.gov.au
Website: alrc.gov.au
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DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information, including annual reports. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information on this article. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this article.