South Australia’s Attorney-General’s Department: Your Fast-Track Guide to a Rewarding Public-Sector Career 🚀
Ready to pivot into government jobs in Australia or climb the ladder inside the Australian Public Service? This concise guide distils a 156-page annual report into the essentials you need—no legalese, no jargon, just actionable intel for job seekers and promotion hunters alike.
AT-A-GLANCE
Name of Department / Council: South Australian Attorney-General’s Department (AGD)
Location: State-wide (head office — 10 Franklin St, Adelaide SA 5000)
CEO: Caroline Mealor, Chief Executive
Total Revenue (2023-24): A$302.5 million
Approx. Total Employees: ≈1,900 FTE
How we got that figure: 17 new injury claims with a frequency of 9 per 1,000 FTE ⇒ 17 ÷ 9 × 1,000 ≈ 1,889 FTE
DID YOU KNOW? 🤔
AGD is spearheading a new purpose-built South Australia Forensic Facility—a game-changer for state-of-the-art scientific services supporting the entire justice system.
THE QUALIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO AGD
Top 5 academic qualifications most suited
LLB / JD (Law): Core for legislative drafting, prosecutions and advisory work.
Bachelor of Criminology: Supports policy design and crime-trend analysis.
Bachelor of Forensic Science: Vital for the expanding forensic facility.
Bachelor of Information Technology: Keeps justice-sector systems secure and modern.
Master of Public Administration: Equips leaders for complex, whole-of-government projects.
Top 5 certifications most suited
Practising Certificate (Legal Practitioners Act): Mandatory for solicitors and prosecutors.
CPA / CA: Powers financial stewardship and regulatory fee oversight.
PRINCE2® / AgilePM: Streamlines multi-agency projects like the Justice Information System upgrade.
Certified Cybersecurity Professional (e.g., CISSP): Guards critical justice networks.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt: Drives continuous improvement in service delivery.
Top 5 trades / professions most suited
Solicitor / Barrister: Drafts, advises and represents the state in court.
Forensic Scientist: Provides expert evidence and lab analysis.
Policy Officer: Shapes statewide legal and safety reforms.
ICT Systems Engineer: Maintains the SA Government Radio Network & digital courts.
Project Manager: Oversees capital builds such as the forensic facility.
Top 5 skills most suited
Legal research & statutory interpretation – underpins accurate advice.
Analytical writing – turns complex data into clear briefings.
Stakeholder negotiation – balances community, ministerial and agency needs.
Risk management – critical for high-profile prosecutions and industrial relations.
Digital literacy – essential for e-licensing, data exchanges and cyber-safe operations.
Top 5 work experiences most suited
Courtroom advocacy (for prosecutorial streams).
Regulatory compliance audits (supports SafeWork SA and Consumer & Business Services).
Complex project delivery (e.g., infrastructure or ICT roll-outs).
Community legal service (demonstrates client-centred practice).
Government-to-government liaison (useful in Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation work).
THE KEY FACTS
Name: Attorney-General’s Department, South Australia
Chief Executive: Caroline Mealor
Location: South Australia-wide
Year Founded: 1856 (roots in the colonial Crown Solicitor’s Office)
Mission & Purpose: “Create a South Australia that is safe, fair and the best place to do business.” A tangible example is AGD’s role in drafting the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023, clearing the path for a multi-billion-dollar green-energy sector.
Main Duties: Legal advice, prosecutions, policy, consumer protection, workplace safety and forensic science. For instance, Consumer & Business Services is gearing up to regulate tobacco licensing from 1 July 2024.
Key Projects & Future Plans:
New forensic facility
Justice Information System replacement
State Rescue Helicopter Service expansion
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Employees: ≈1,900 FTE (estimate—see AT-A-GLANCE)
Pay-level spread: From ASO1 trainees (~A$55 k) to SAES2 executives (>A$225 k), plus professional streams (PO, L, OPS).
Salary Bands:
ASO Stream: A$55 k – A$125 k
Legal Officer (L1–L4): A$75 k – A$180 k
SAES1/2: A$185 k – A$260 k+
Average salary: ~A$91 k (derived from wages ÷ estimated FTE).
Total Revenue: A$302.5 m
Average Revenue per Employee: ≈A$160 k
GETTING A JOB AT AGD 🔍
Which Academic Subjects shine?
Certificate / Diploma Level: Government Investigations, Paralegal Studies, Work Health & Safety—great for entry roles in compliance units.
Bachelor / Master Level: Law, Forensics, IT & Cybersecurity, Criminology, Public Policy—align perfectly with AGD’s core functions.
PhDs: Criminal Justice, Forensic Chemistry, Constitutional Law—ideal for specialist advisory and policy think-tank roles.
In-demand Trades & Professions
Licensing Officer, Forensic Analyst, ICT Network Engineer, Policy Advisor, Prosecutor.
Valued Work Experiences
Major litigation, regulatory auditing, multi-agency project management, scientific lab work, public safety communications.
Skills that Win Interviews
Soft skills: Clear communication, critical thinking, teamwork.
Technical skills: e-Brief preparation, digital evidence handling, legislative drafting software.
General skills: Report writing, stakeholder engagement, data analytics.
Hobbies & Interests that Align
Community moot courts, coding hackathons, amateur radio (ties to public-safety comms), science outreach, mock parliament clubs.
Want more information on this organisation? 📞
Attorney-General’s Department (AGD)
10 Franklin Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone: 1800 177 076
Email: Attorney-GeneralsDepartment@sa.gov.au
Careers Site: iworkfor.sa.gov.au (search “Attorney-General’s Department”)
General Site: agd.sa.gov.au
FAST-TRACK YOUR GOVERNMENT CAREER 🚀
Want to skip the frustration of crafting the perfect public sector job application? Join the waitlist for Gov Job Pro and turn your dream of a public sector career into reality in just 15 minutes. Our AI-powered platform creates:
✓ Tailor-made two-page Selection Criteria Responses
✓ Tailor-made Resumes
✓ Tailor-made Cover Letters
Join the Waitlist →
Be among the first to access our game-changing application tool!
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.