Provide legal advice and representation in child protection, youth crime, and intervention orders while advocating for vulnerable communities in the Westernport region.

• Full time ongoing position
• Salary range: $90,871 - $104,924 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement

About the role
We are seeking a passionate Lawyer to provide high-quality legal services to vulnerable communities. In this role, you will give legal advice and represent clients mainly in child protection, youth crime, and intervention order cases.

As a Lawyer, you will advocate in the Children's Court, ensuring clients receive strong support during legal proceedings. You will also handle casework and provide legal information in various settings, including secure facilities and outreach programs. Additionally, you will work on law reform initiatives and run educational programs to raise awareness about the legal rights of children and young people. 

This role is based at our Dandenong office on Bunurong Country.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Proven ability to act as an advocate and deliver legal advice effectively.
• Practical understanding of the Children, Youth & Families Act 2005 and related legal procedures.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills to clearly communicate with young people and stakeholders.
• Strong commitment to working collaboratively with others in a supportive team environment.
• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).

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 resu me 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 Kristen Morrow, Deputy Managing Lawyer - Children's Law on (03) 9767 7*** or ***********@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Monday 8 June 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.