Weekends and Public Holidays

Fixed Term Part Time contract (up to 30 June 2026)

Salary commensurate with experience $82,857 to $107,674 FTE per annum (restricted practice lawyer range is $77,348 to $78,850 FTE pa), plus superannuation

Works Saturdays, Sundays, half day Mondays and on public holidays

Attractive employee benefits including salary packaging

Generous leave provisions of 5 weeks annual leave per year (pro-rata) plus leave loading

Additional paid leave for end of year closure

Access to additional paid leave for health and well-being

About the role

We have an excellent opportunity for an experienced professional to join Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia Limited (ALSWA) as a Criminal Duty Lawyer with our Perth Office.

We are seeking Criminal Lawyers who are highly organised, self-motivated with demonstrated ability to appear as an advocate in criminal courts and are passionate about providing high quality legal assistance to Aboriginal people. Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture, society and the issues affecting Aboriginal people is required.

This a is a duty lawyer role involving:

Acting on behalf of clients in police custody appearing in person before Northbridge Magistrates Court; and

Acting on behalf of clients in police custody appearing via video link before Northbridge Magistrates Court from regional areas.

The role will largely involve making bail applications, pleas in mitigation and remands.

The Duty Lawyer must be available to work Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays (half day) and Public Holidays. You may be required to assist with Duty Lawyer Services on a roster basis during an end of year shutdown period.

The role may suit a recently admitted lawyer seeking experience in the criminal jurisdiction or a more experienced lawyer who prefers to work part time.

About you

To be considered for this role, you will need to meet the following criteria:

Demonstrated experience or the ability to appear as counsel in criminal matters including the provision of duty lawyer services.

Demonstrated knowledge of substantive law, the rules of evidence and criminal practice and procedure

Demonstrated organisational and time management skills with the ability to work under pressure

Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team comprising legal and non-legal staff with a willingness to learn and share knowledge with others

Highly developed communication skills (interpersonal, written and verbal) with experience in conflict resolution

Highly developed conceptual and analytical skills.

You must be eligible to hold a current WA Practicing Certificate

About our benefits

We have a friendly, caring and diverse work environment. We offer attractive employment benefits including salary packaging (making part of your salary tax-free), free counselling services to employees and immediate family through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and opportunities for professional development.

We also provide 5 weeks annual leave per year (pro rata) plus leave loading and access to additional paid leave for health and well-being.

About us

ALSWA is a not-for-profit independent government funded organisation working to provide high quality representation and assistance to the Aboriginal community in WA.

ALSWA has 11 offices across regional WA and practices in the areas of criminal, civil, human rights and family law, as well as law reform, community legal education, and programs to assist Aboriginal youth, bail support, work and development permit scheme and the Custody Notification Service.

We live our values of caring, sharing and respect.

How to apply

To submit your application, please click the ‘Apply’ button or alternatively send your application to [email protected] Your application must include a cover letter outlining what strengths you could bring to the role and your resume. Selection criteria is not required. Please note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

If you wish to discuss this opportunity further, please email Human Resources at [email protected] or call (08) 9265 6666. All applications will be treated in confidence.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 14 September 2025

(We reserve the right to close applications early if suitable candidates are identified)

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are seeking to increase the diversity of our workforce to better meet the differing needs of our clients and to improve equal opportunity outcomes for our employees. ALSWA strongly encourages applications from Indigenous Australians. We also encourage applications from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with a disability. ALSWA has an environment that values diversity and supports all staff to reach their full potential.