Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS)

Location: Preston, VIC | Full-Time | Fixed Term until 31st January 2026

Salary: $105,000-$115,000 + Super + Salary Packaging

Application Closing Date: 1st September 2025

About VALS

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) has been advocating for and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people since 1973. Our holistic services span criminal, family, civil and human rights law, youth legal services, 24/7 custody notification, housing, family violence programs, and much more. At VALS, we are committed to self-determination, equality, diversity, and inclusion and we are always evolving to meet community needs.

About Criminal Law

Criminal Lawyers are to provide high quality legal services, including duty lawyer services, representation, advice and information in criminal law matters to members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Victoria. You will be operating as part of an integrated and diverse team that includes junior lawyers, senior lawyers, administration staff and client service officers.

About the Role: Regional Practice Lead

The Regional Practice Lead will have 4+ years of practical experience in criminal law and act as a lead advocate for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people interacting with the criminal justice system across the Gippsland region. This position will:

Provide high quality legal services in Criminal Law matters, including duty lawyer services, representation, advice and information to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.

Engage with Aboriginal community stakeholders to identify key community legal education (CLE) needs relevant to the regional and local context.

Link with, and oversee the development of, partnerships and referral and support pathways within the Gippsland region to assist VALS clients with access to other legal assistance and services relevant to them. This includes oversight of Aboriginal client service officers (CSOs) and administrative support based at the VALS Preston Office.

The role holder will have the endorsement or is eligible to become a Panel Certifier on Victorian Legal Aid (VLA) Criminal Law Panel.

Key Responsibilities

Appear as a senior advocate in various courts including the Children’s Court Criminal Division, Magistrates’ Court, County Court and Koori Courts to represent clients of VALS

Deliver a quality legal service by conducting casework in criminal law matters, including serious indictable matters, for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients in the Gippsland region.

As a back-up, participate in the on call after hours roster to provide emergency advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria. As a priority, providing legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in police custody

Prepare and comply with applications for grants of legal assistance and reporting requirements for matters eligible for VLA funding.

Participate in case-planning meetings with the criminal law section weekly

Partner with service providers and Aboriginal community stakeholders in the region to plan and deliver CLE and professional legal education.

Oversee the work of CSOs within the team including in 1:1 assistance to clients and in developing referral pathways and partnerships relevant to VALS clients.

Develop collaborative relationships with VLA and other community legal centers and service providers with which VALS interacts.

Keep up to date with relevant legal developments and procedures and maintain an understanding of issues, risks and trends impacting upon the provision of legal services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.

Participates in ongoing training and staff development and acts and remains professional at all times, upholding VALS values.

As directed, undertake other duties as directed which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence, and training.

Personal Accountability

Compliance with all VALS Values, code of conduct, policies and procedures and relevant government legislation and standards where relevant;

Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of social justice and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation or religion;

Ensure appropriate use of resources;

Actively participate in initiatives to maintain, build upon and promote a positive and collaborative workplace;

Take reasonable care for your own health & safety, and health and safety of others (to extent required) including promptly responding to and report health and safety hazards, incidents and near misses to management; and

Attend mandatory training sessions (i.e., equal employment opportunity, health and safety, cultural safety) and mandatory training specific to position.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential:

Admitted or eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in Victoria and in the High Court of Australia (with an unrestricted practising certificate)

Capability to work as an advocate and caseworker in complex criminal law matters, with knowledge of, and practical experience in the law and court procedures within the criminal law jurisdiction

Ability to supervise, mentor and train staff and volunteers and contribute to the development of individuals and their knowledge and skills in criminal law

Sound interpersonal skills and the capacity to communicate effectively with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and more broadly with multidisciplinary colleagues and VALS partners

A commitment to and understanding of VALS and the legal issues faced by members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Victoria

Basic competency in the use of MS Office Software (particularly MS Word, Excel, Email) and the capacity to quickly acquire competency in the use of VALS’ client management system.

Desirable:

Member or eligible to be a Victoria Legal Aid Panel member for summary, indictable and youth matters

Accredited Criminal Law Specialist

Experience working in the non-profit sector.

Mandatory Requirements

The successful applicant must be able to provide or be willing to obtain:

Current Employee Working with Children Check

National Criminal History Police Check

Proof of Australian work rights (e.g. passport, birth certificate, or visa)

Current valid Victorian Driver’s Licence

Why Join VALS?

We offer a supportive, flexible, and culturally safe working environment with a range of attractive benefits, including:

17.5% Leave Loading

5 additional days of annual leave on top of the standard 20 days

Time in Lieu (TOIL) system for any hours worked beyond your contracted 21 hours per week

Access to company vehicles for work-related travel

Generous salary packaging up to $15,900 via Maxxia

Opportunity to work alongside a passionate team committed to delivering culturally appropriate legal and support services for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities

Ongoing professional development and training opportunities

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How to Apply

To apply, please provide:

A covering letter introducing yourself and explaining your suitability for the role

A statement addressing each of the Key Selection Criteria (please note: applications without this will not be considered)

Your current resume, including education, professional experience, and two referees

Submit your application to [email protected] using the subject line:
‘Application for Regional Practice Lead Position at VALS’

VALS actively encourages and supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. This designated position provides a culturally safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where your knowledge and lived experience are highly valued.

Please note: We do not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. No fees will be paid to agencies submitting candidates without a valid written agreement.