Child Protection Lawyer

Overview
Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $90,871 - $101,868
Grade: WVR 3.2
Occupation: Legal
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/VLA/FYCL/1876333
Seeking two experienced Lawyers to join the Child Protection team at VLA. You will be providing legal services to clients in child protection and intervention order matters across the Children’s Court of Victoria at Melbourne and Moorabbin Children’s Court or Wyndham Children’s Court.
2 x full time maximum term positions up to June 2027
Salary range: $90,871 - $101,868 plus super plus salary packaging
Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH office model
About the role
The Family, Youth and Children's Law (FYCL) Program assists people to resolve their family disputes to achieve safe, workable and child-focused parenting and care arrangements. This role will sit within the Child Protection subprogram, which provides legal advice and support to children and families going through the child protection system.
You will act as an advocate and provide legal information, advice and casework for clients in child protection and intervention order proceedings in the Children's Court of Victoria, Moorabbin Children's Court or Wyndham Children's Court. This role will also have the opportunity to participate in community legal education, law reform and other VLA projects.
This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.
About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:
Knowledge of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 and other relevant laws and procedures.
Experience acting an as advocate and delivering legal services to clients.
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, particularly communicating with children and young people.
A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as an employee of a law practice
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 provide legal representation 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
Opportunity to join Myki Commuter Club(and salary package the cost)
Supportive team environment in modern offices (including free gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office)
Access to discounted Private Health Insurance
How to apply
To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter addressing the following key selection criteria:
Demonstrated ability to act as an advocate, deliver legal advice and casework and undertake negotiation and dispute resolution on behalf of clients.
High level interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to communicate clearly and appropriately with clients, particularly children and young people an d their parents, staff and external stakeholders and organisations.
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 Alice Bewley, Deputy Managing Lawyer on (03) 9269 0407 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.
No agency applications will be accepted.
Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 17 August 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.
Applications close Sunday 17 August 2025 at 11.59pm
Posted
1 August 2025
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