• Full time maximum term position to September 2026
• Salary range: $101,869 - $118,844 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role
Reporting to the Regional Manager, you will act as an advocate by providing high quality legal services, services including legal advice (including pre court engagement with legal services), duty lawyer services, complex casework, representation and undertake negotiation and dispute resolution on behalf of clients in civil law matters with a focus on delivery of services to people in regional areas impacted by the October 2022 floods.

Appearing in various courts and tribunals you will provide high quality legal services in mental health, tenancy, social security, National Disability and Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and fines in one of the below regional catchments:

• Wimmera/Mallee
• Central Grampians/Wimmera
• Loddon/Campaspe/Goulburn Valley

You will also participate in community legal education and develop collaborative relationships between VLA and local stakeholders.

In addition, you will also provide legal mentoring and training and actively contribute to the professional growth of junior lawyers. This presents an excellent opportunity for legal professionals who aspire to make a meaningful contribution to the community, join a collaborative team and gain exposure to interesting and diverse work.

This role can be based at of one of the following regional offices being Horsham, Mildura, Ballarat or Bendigo.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Substantial knowledge or practical experience in civil law and relevant court and tribunal procedures with the capacity to work as an advocate and caseworker.
• Ability to provide strategic advice on legal and policy issues and positively engage with key partner agencies to appropriately manage referrals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with others and communicate with a diverse stakeholder group.
• Strong interest and capability in providing mentorship and guidance to junior team members in enhancing their skills and knowledge in civil law.
• A current Australian practicing certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).
• Entitled to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners) (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 offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy 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
• Access to discounted Private Health Insurance
• Relocation allowance if relocating for the role

How to apply
To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter addressing your interest in the role and working in a Regional Legal Aid office, along with the following KSC:

• KSC 1 - Demonstrated experience conducting complex casework, in-court advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution on behalf of clients complex matters within the scope of VLA's Civil Justice Program, including tenancy, social security, insurance law, infringements, NDIS, credit and debt and mental health and disability law.
• KSC 2 - Substantial knowledge and practical experience in civil law and relevant court procedures. Knowledge or practical experience in the law and court procedures in other VLA program areas is desirable.

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 Erin Churchill, Regional Manager on (03) 5329 6295 or [email protected].

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Tuesday 21 October 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.