Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS)

Location: Preston, VIC | Full-Time | 12 months - Fixed Term

Salary: $88,305.40 – 93,305.40 + Super + Salary Packaging

Application Closing Date: 1st October 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 Balit Ngulu

The core function of Balit Ngulu is to provide Aboriginal children and young people (up to 21 years old) with appropriate legal advice and representation and support their empowerment and resilience within its service areas. Balit Ngulu will aim to:

Provide quality and timely legal services to Aboriginal children and young people for matters within Balit Ngulu's specified service locations of the Children's Court of Victoria.

Support Aboriginal children and young people with legal assistance and services to help them grow within the community.

Divert Aboriginal children and young people away from the justice system and seek incarceration alternatives for Aboriginal children and young people in contact with the justice system, including supporting and prioritising bail applications for those who are at risk of being remanded or are remanded in custody within Balit Ngulu's specified service locations.

Assist Aboriginal children and young people to have a strong voice in Child Protection decisions that impact them . Where children are removed from parental care, provide strong advocacy to ensure that appropriate support is provided to enable reunification to occur and ensure that Aboriginal children remain connected to their family, community and culture when living out of parental care.

Provide legal, non-legal and cultural support to children and young people in the Criminal and Family Divisions of the Children’s Court.

Provide legal education activities to vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people within service areas and those in youth detention.

About the Role: Lawyer – Balit Ngulu

The Lawyer will report to the Principal Managing Lawyer and case manage and appear in child protection and intervention order matters for clients with ties to the Darebin LGA. The Lawyer will also appear in some criminal matters for their cross-over clients.

This role represents an expansion of our current legal team to further assist vulnerable Aboriginal children particularly in the Family Division with ties to the Darebin LGA. The position combines legal practice with greater intensive case management of individual cases while building strategic partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

Key Responsibilities

Provide high-quality legal advice, assistance and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people across Child Protection, Criminal and Civil matters through integrated service delivery.

Establish culturally safe, inclusive practices that empower young people to participate in decision-making while accommodating diverse gender identities and abilities.

Develop trauma-informed legal strategies and pathways that support positive outcomes in education, employment and life planning.

Coordinate referrals and linkages to support services that address drivers of Child Protection and justice involvement, particularly family violence, to build positive pathways.

Working collaboratively with Balit Ngulu Aboriginal Community Engagement Woker to support young people

Maintain high professional standards and quality legal practice while ensuring client-centered, culturally appropriate service delivery.

Ad Hoc

Perform other tasks as reasonably directed.

Undertake regional or interstate travel as required.

Assist with ad hoc documentation, reporting, or operational support.

Provide support for events, meetings, or projects as requested.

Key Selection Criteria

A minimum of 12 months post admission experience in Child Protection and Family Violence Intervention Orders.

Experience establishing strategic partnerships with ACCOs and mainstream services. Ability to coordinate referral pathways and advocacy across multiple service systems.

Experience working with Aboriginal children and young people. Strong understanding of cultural safety principles and Aboriginal ways of knowing.

Mandatory Requirements

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

A current Employee Working with Children Check card

A valid Victorian Driver’s license

A National Criminal History Check

Proof of work rights in Australia, such as an Australian passport, birth certificate, or valid visa documentation

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 35 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 Lawyer – Balit Ngulu 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.