Introduction
The Legal Assistant/Legal Secretary – Clerk 1/2 – Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution role at the Department of Communities and Justice supports solicitors and legal staff with files, documents, records and day-to-day coordination. The temporary full-time role is based in Parramatta for up to 12 months, with flexible arrangements open to negotiation. Your application needs to show how you keep accurate records while adapting to changing processes and solving practical problems.
View the official job ad. Applications close Tuesday 22 September 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.
Role snapshot
| Detail | Role information |
|---|---|
| Role | Legal Assistant/Legal Secretary – Clerk 1/2 – Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution |
| Employer | Department of Communities and Justice |
| Location | Parramatta |
| Salary / grade | $78,000 to $84,799 plus superannuation and annual leave loading |
| Closing date | Tuesday 22 September 2026 at 11:59pm AEST |
Application requirements
- Resume, maximum 5 pages
- Cover letter, maximum 3 pages, addressing the 2 targeted questions
Both targeted answers belong within the three-page cover letter. No separate word limit is stated for either answer, so allocate space according to the evidence you need to explain and keep the whole letter within its maximum.
Targeted questions
- Tell me about a time when rapid changes in processes / procedures / technology / made it difficult to keep up with everything you needed to know in your job.
- Describe a recent problem you have faced and walk me through the steps you took to solve it. What alternatives did you consider?
Candidate evidence to prepare
Use the following evidence areas to plan your examples for Legal Assistant/Legal Secretary – Clerk 1/2 – Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution. These are practical application recommendations drawn from the work and experience described for this vacancy.
| Requirement or evidence area | How to demonstrate it |
|---|---|
| Records and document accuracy | Show how you create or update files and verify that information is complete, accessible and stored correctly. |
| Organisation and client service | Describe how you prioritise enquiries, meeting arrangements and requests from legal staff without losing track of deadlines. |
| Adaptability and problem solving | Use the targeted answers to demonstrate how you learn a changed process and compare practical options. |
Essential role requirements and conditions
Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require a National Criminal History Record Check and Working with Children Check clearance; confirm the conditions applicable to this vacancy.
Example application structure
Use one cover letter to explain your fit and address both targeted questions. The maximum is three pages, alongside a resume of no more than five pages. The outline below helps you keep the two examples separate and purposeful.
| Cover letter section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Opening paragraph | Provide clerical and secretarial support to the Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution legal team. File creation, document preparation, records searches and meeting support make this a clear administration opportunity. The questions focus on adapting to change and working through a problem, giving experienced support staff room to demonstrate judgement. |
| Tell me about a time when rapid changes in processes / procedures / technology / made it difficult to keep up with everything you needed to know in your job. | Explain the changes, how you identified what you needed to learn and the steps you took to keep work accurate while learning. Show how you checked your understanding and helped the team stay consistent. |
| Describe a recent problem you have faced and walk me through the steps you took to solve it. What alternatives did you consider? | Set out the problem, the information you gathered and the alternatives you considered. Explain why you chose your approach and what happened after you acted. |
| Closing paragraph | Confirm your interest in this role and the relevant working or eligibility conditions. Keep the close brief. |
What the panel will want to see in your examples
- Show how you create or update files and verify that information is complete, accessible and stored correctly.
- Describe how you prioritise enquiries, meeting arrangements and requests from legal staff without losing track of deadlines.
- Use the targeted answers to demonstrate how you learn a changed process and compare practical options.
- State the result and the evidence you have for it, with a clear account of your own responsibility.
Before you submit
Check names, dates and file-handling details carefully, and anonymise any previous legal matters. Make your own contribution clear when describing team work. Confirm the official instructions and attachment limits before sending the application.
Revisit the official job ad and use the NSW Government cover letter guide to check your structure. If you need help preparing a role-specific written application, you can share the vacancy and your experience through Team 3Thirty’s application service.