Lawyer, Mental Health Legal Rights Service

• Full time ongoing position
• 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 roleThis role you will be offering not just specialist intake assessments but also crucial information and legal guidance to those who need it most. You will be making and receiving referrals—both legal and non-legal—for a diverse array of issues surrounding mental health, disability, and related matters.

Through collaboration with our dedicated MHLRS partners and the broader VLA network, this position is committed to fulfilling essential service requirements, ensuring that every referral is meaningful, and empowering the sector to genuinely cater to the unique needs of the consumers we serve.

Together, we strive to create an environment where every individual feels understood, supported, and uplifted on their journey.

This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.

About youAs our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Proficient understanding of legal principles and procedures in civil law, with a focus on mental health and disability law, including the operations of the Mental Health Tribunal.
• Demonstrated advanced legal diagnostic and problem-solving abilities, utilizing appropriate techniques to accurately evaluate and address client needs in a trauma-informed manner.
• Knowledge regarding legal, community, and welfare organisations, as well as an understanding of effective referral practices.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including proficiency in telephone and in-person interactions with clients who have experienced trauma, complex needs, mental health challenges, disabilities, or social and economic disadvantages.
• 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 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
• 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 applyTo 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 Beck Johnston Ryan, Managing Lawyer on or

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Thursday 16 October 2025.

Other relevant informationIt 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.