• Full time maximum term position up to September 2026
• This role is a parental leave backfill position
• Salary range: $127,334 - $150,485 plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role
In this role, you will lead the design and provision of high-quality mental health and disability legal services across the State, including compulsory mental health treatment and detention, guardianship and administration orders, Disability Act 2006 and Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 matters.

You will work collaboratively with a management team to lead, train and supervise a team of lawyers based largely in Melbourne, as well as supporting lawyers in regional and suburban offices, in the delivery of specialist high quality legal services. You will develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support effective service delivery and strategic advocacy and law reform initiatives.

You will also work collaboratively to support development, implementation and evaluation of MHDL program objectives. In addition, you will support the ongoing implementation of the new co-designed Mental Health Legal Rights Service model - a consumer-centred and trauma-informed model for mental health legal services in Victoria delivered in partnership with the Mental Health Legal Centre and the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.

This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Experience in leading and managing a team.
• Demonstrated capacity to work as a lawyer in complex civil law matters including substantial knowledge or practical experience in civil law with a focus on mental health and disability law and relevant court procedures.
• Experience in designing, planning, monitoring and evaluating services and initiatives and proven experience in working autonomously, meeting deadlines and making complex decisions in a timely way.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the capacity to influence and negotiate with people across all levels.
• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.

About Victoria Legal Aid
We provide legal representation to those who need it most. With over 1400 staff employed in 16 offices across Victoria, we help people with their legal problems by providing information, advice and education with a focus on the prevention and early resolution of legal problems.

Our clients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds and foster a work culture that's inclusive as well as diverse. Your unique ideas and perspectives are valued so that we best represent the people we serve.

Employee benefits

• Focus on work-life balance including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model
• Training and professional development opportunities
• Excellent salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 and Novated Leasing
• Opportunity to join Myki Commuter Club(and salary package the cost)
• Supportive team environment in modern offices (including free gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office)
• Access to discounted Private Health Insurance

How to apply
To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team.

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Catherine Leslie, Associate Director - MHDL (03) 9280 3706 or [email protected].

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 17 August 2025.

Other relevant information
It is a requirement that staff attend for office-based days at their primary work location. In line with this requirement, interstate applications will be considered only where the candidate is able and willing to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community.

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.