- Full time maximum term position up to October 2027
- Salary range: $113,668 - $131,153 plus super
- Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement
About the role
You will provide high quality legal services including legal advice, duty lawyer services, casework, representation and undertake negotiation and dispute resolution on behalf of clients, primarily in child protection and intervention order matters in the Children's Court of Victoria and related matters in the Children's Court of Victoria or in other jurisdictions, including appearing in Marram-Ngala Ganbu.
You will also be involved in providing supervision, training, and mentoring to junior child protection legal staff and to engage with and participate in policy initiatives, VLA projects, law reform work and community legal education.
This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.
About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:
- Extensive knowledge and practical experience in relevant law and procedure with a focus on the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 and child protection and evidence law and procedure.
- Knowledge of the issues experienced by families involved with the child protection system, particularly challenges faced by First Nations peoples and people from diverse backgrounds.
- Proven ability to supervise legal staff and mentor and train junior lawyers.
- High level interpersonal and communication skills.
- Appearing and conducting case work associated with matters in Marram-Ngala Ganbu (highly desirable)
- Further accreditations in Children's Law (desirable).
Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we strongly encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate.
About VLA
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
- A focus on work-life balance, including flexible working arrangements
- Hybrid work from home & office model
- Generous leave benefits, including:
- Three days paid seasonal leave (to be taken between Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays)
- Paid gender affirmation leave
- Five days both paid reproductive and fertility leave per calendar year
- Annual 3% salary increase each December plus performance-related salary incentives
- Attractive salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 PLUS Novated Leasing
- Discounted annual Myki public transport passes
- Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
- Free annual flu vaccinations
- Access to gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office
- Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.
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 Karen Czarny, Managing Lawyer and Alice Bewley, Managing Lawyer on (03) 9269 0407 or [email protected].
No agency applications will be accepted.
Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 2 August 2026.
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.
