Job Description

We’re BDO, a global professional services firm connected to local markets. Our people work together to provide specialist expertise, helping businesses achieve their goals.

We inspire others, to go further. We create together, to reach higher. We build trust, to lead purposefully.

Whether you're building your future or starting your career with us, you won’t do it alone. From creating solutions for our clients to building careers for our people, we shape what matters, and that’s where you come in.

About the Role

About BDO Migration Services

BDO Migration Services is an incorporated legal practice specialising in all aspects of Australian immigration and nationality law for corporate and private clients. Our focus is on employer-sponsored visas, permanent residence pathways, and strategic immigration planning for businesses and individuals.

As part of the BDO global network, we combine legal expertise with a commitment to integrity, responsiveness, and impact. Our clients include publicly listed, private and government organisations spanning multiple industries and countries.

We are a purpose-driven team that values technical excellence, reliability, and life-changing outcomes for our clients.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Associate, you will provide technical leadership in the preparation and management of migration matters, supervising the delivery of high-quality legal services by junior lawyers and legal support staff. You will be responsible for ensuring matters progress in line with service level agreements (SLAs), quality standards, and risk frameworks.

You will contribute to a high-performance team culture, participate in continuous improvement initiatives, and role model professional and ethical legal practice. While client contact may occur, this role primarily focuses on internal leadership and high-quality delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of applications and supporting documentation across a range of visa subclasses

• Draft, review and finalise supporting legal submissions including health waivers, character waivers and responses to Requests for More Information

• Conduct complex eligibility assessments and provide internal technical guidance on novel or high-risk matters

• Supervise, review and provide feedback on legal drafting by junior team members

• Monitor legal deadlines and ensure matters progress in line with KPIs and SLAs

• Escalate risks, delays, or client issues promptly and in line with internal policies

• Support training, capability development and onboarding of junior staff

• Participate in internal knowledge sharing, policy updates and continuous improvement activities

• Assist with reporting and quality assurance where required

• Contribute to a respectful, values-aligned workplace committed to fairness, integrity, and professionalism

Skills and Attributes

• Strong understanding of Australian immigration law and policy, with a focus on employer-sponsored visa pathways

• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior lawyers and contribute to team capability uplift

• High level of written communication and legal drafting skills

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities in high-volume environments

• Sound judgment and ability to identify and manage legal, operational and reputational risks

• Commitment to ethical and compliant legal practice

• Motivated to make a meaningful difference through high-quality legal work

• Strong time management and familiarity with working to service delivery targets and SLAs

Qualifications and Experience

• Admitted as a legal practitioner in Australia

• Minimum of 3 years’ post-admission experience in immigration or administrative law

• Strong experience in corporate immigration law, particularly subclasses 482, 186 and 494

• Experience supervising or mentoring lawyers or legal staff

• Experience using Migration Manager or similar case management software (desirable)

• Experience working in a professional services or high-volume corporate legal environment

Why BDO?

Working for BDO you will be part of a growing and market leading professional services firm.

Our national and global footprint provides our people with opportunities to work on interesting client engagements, across diverse industry sectors and services.

Our open and collaborative culture ensures access to Partners and professional mentors, to guide and accelerate your professional career, across a wide array of career pathways.

We provide our people with various health and wellbeing, social, financial, and professional development benefits to help realise what’s possible.

Participate in fitness challenges or take advantage of exclusive discounts to corporate health insurance, gym memberships and wellness facilities via our BWell program. Access benefits such as travel perks, retail discounts, employee referral rewards, study, and professional development support.

Our leave options cater to the unique needs of our people; and include enhanced family support, cultural and religious leave, and options to purchase additional leave. You can also give back and get involved in community initiatives via our BCaring program.

With a strong focus on learning and growth, we provide on the job training and formal development programs to help you succeed in your role and develop your skills and experience.

Our culture is underpinned by our core values (One, Bold, Human, Heart and Strive).

We are proud to be recognised as an Inclusive Employer for 2025-2026 by Diversity Council of Australia and a 2024-2025 Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).

BDO is committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment practices. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview process, we encourage you to contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@bdo.com.au