▷ Urgent Lawyer

Location: Barwon South West - Greater Geelong

Reference: VG/VLA/RSD/1891978

Provide high quality legal services primarily in family violence matters and one of child protection, family law or criminal law to make a difference in the Barwon region.

- Full time ongoing position (part-time considered)

- Salary range: $90,871 - $101,868 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging

- Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

About the role

In this role, you'll provide high-quality legal services, including duty lawyer support, casework, and advice, with a primary focus on criminal law, family law, family violence and/or child protection. You'll represent clients in various courts and tribunals, advocating for those who need it most and helping improve access to justice in the community.

This role presents an exciting opportunity to engage in interesting and at times complex work aimed at improving legal services across the Barwon region. The varied and interesting work mix will allow you to accelerate the development of your advocacy skills.

This role is based at our Geelong office on Wadawurrung Country.

About you

- Proven experience in representing clients in criminal law, family law, family violence matters and/or child protection in court.

- A current Australian practising certificate that entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).

- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with clients, colleagues, and external stakeholders, handling sensitive issues with care.

- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

- Entitled to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners) (mandatory).

Why Geelong?

- The Geelong office is just over an hour drive from Melbourne and Ballarat.

- All the amenities of a city, without the extended commute to work.

- Residents in parts of Geelong and the greater region face some of the highest levels of disadvantage in Australia.

- Exposure to multiple practice areas including summary crime, indictable crime, ARC, youth crime, child protection, family violence, and family law.

- Opportunity to lead the delivery of community legal education and stakeholder engagement in the region.

- Feel a sense of connectedness and community from working in regional Australia.

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 this role

How to apply

To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter showcasing your Legal practice and commitment to social justice.

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 Louis Robertson, Senior Lawyer on (03) 5226 5628 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 16 November 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.

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