- Full time (part time considered)
- Maximum term position up to 24 months
- Salary range: $113,668 - $131,153 plus super
- Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement
About the role
This is a new role that will lead work to enhance access to justice and strengthen VLA's services to people in custody. Situated in the Appeals and Strategic Litigation team and working alongside the Senior Legal Specialist – Prison Law, this role will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to build VLA's organisational capacity to respond to the needs of people in custody.
The role will also provide legal advice and casework to people in custody and help identify systemic barriers and opportunities for advocacy and strategic litigation.
This role will be anchored to the Melbourne office. The successful applicant may, however, be able to negotiate to work flexibly at a VLA office that has connections to local prisons (such as Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, etc).
People with lived experience of incarceration and/or demonstrated experience working alongside lived experience experts to deliver legal services and/or engage in systemic advocacy are strongly encouraged to apply for this role.
This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.
About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:
- Substantial knowledge and experience providing legal advice, advocacy and cross discipline casework to people in prison, including knowledge of the experiences unique to people detained in custodial settings.
- Demonstrated understanding of the systemic and intersectional challenges experienced by people in contact with prisons, police and the criminal legal system.
- Strong practice management skills and a demonstrated ability to work independently with limited supervision, identify emerging trends, discern areas of strategic importance and collaborate with others to develop legal and advocacy strategies aimed at driving systemic change.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to engage and build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver training and resources, particularly in relation to legal issues impacting people in custody.
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 (listed within the file attachments).
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 Monique Hurley Senior Legal Specialist – Prison Law on (03) 9280 3850 or [email protected].
No agency applications will be accepted.
Applications close by 11.59pm on 20/9/2026
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.
