Criminal Lawyer

• Empower women and children through life-changing legal support.
• Enjoy a competitive salary, 12% Super, 6 weeks leave, and generous salary packaging
• Paid professional development and upskilling opportunities
• Relocation support up to $3000

About Central Australian Women's Legal Service (CAWLS)

Central Australian Women's Legal Service (CAWLS) is a dynamic Community Legal Centre catering to women in Central Australia and the Barkly Region, with offices in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. Specialising in assisting women affected by Domestic and Family Violence, CAWLS adopts a holistic and culturally safe approach, offering services such as law reform, legal representation, client support, financial counselling, and community legal education.

Join a supportive legal team of multicultural women from all across Australia who are dedicated to the mission of CAWLS to enable, educate, and empower women in navigating the legal system, and ensure the respect and consideration of women's rights.

To learn more about us, please visit:

See the Impact Firsthand

Want to understand the kind of work you'll be part of at CAWLS?

Explore our Impact Report to see how we:

• Supported over 1,500 women across Central Australia and the Barkly Region
• Launched new services like School Lawyers and Criminal Law outreach
• Partnered with health, education and community organisations to create real change

Join a team making a measurable difference in the lives of women and families every day.

About the Opportunity

CAWLS is looking for a full-time Criminal Lawyer to be based in Alice Springs on a 2-year contract which may be extended.

This position reports to the Senior Management Team and offers a unique opportunity to work as a Criminal Lawyer. The role includes outreach travel and participation in bush courts to provide holistic, trauma-informed legal assistance to vulnerable women in regional and remote areas. Ideally previous experience as a Criminal Lawyer.

More specifically, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Providing high-quality legal advice and representation in criminal law matters
• Representing clients in courts and tribunals, including as a duty lawyer
• Delivering legal support to criminalised women, particularly those impacted by DFV and systemic disadvantage
• Working collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team to deliver wraparound services
• Undertaking outreach travel to bush courts and remote communities
• Assisting with logistics and delivery of community legal education and outreach events
• Supporting and contributing to law reform, advocacy and community legal education
• Participating in stakeholder and community engagement
• Maintaining legal files, compliance and reporting for regulatory obligations

Please click on Position Description for more details here.

About You

To qualify, you will need to hold a Bachelor of Laws and be eligible for a Practising Certificate in the Northern Territory. Experience in criminal law is advantageous, while an understanding of DFV and trauma-informed practice will be highly regarded.

Additionally, the following skills and background will be highly valued:

• Experience working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and/or First Nations backgrounds
• Knowledge of general civil law matters, particularly Domestic and Family Violence
• Prior experience in Community Legal Centres and familiarity with the CLASS database
• Strong understanding of legal, economic, and social issues affecting women in Central Australia
• Confidence working independently and collaboratively in a small, cross-functional team
• A commitment to professional ethics, confidentiality, WHS awareness, and compliance with CAWLS policies
• Strong communication, time management, and legal file management skills

This is a role for someone who is passionate about making a real difference in regional communities. You will need empathy, resilience, and a deep commitment to empowering women to live safely, free from violence and discrimination.

This is a vital role for a passionate and dedicated legal practitioner who wants to make a real difference in the lives of women and children — empowering them to live with dignity, safety, and respect.

Please note: This is a female-identified position under Sections 30 and 34 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984. You must also hold (or be eligible to obtain) a current NT Driver's Licence, Ochre Card, and National Police Check.

About the Benefits

You will receive a competitive base salary plus 12% Super (commensurate with skills and experience), along with a great host of benefits, including:

• Relocation assistance up to $3,000 and support provided to help you settle
• Six weeks' annual leave + an additional 12 days' personal leave
• Salary Sacrificing options
• A supportive work environment with plenty of on-the-job training
• Paid professional development and upskilling opportunities
• High priority focus on employee well-being
• Team bonding events and great company spirit, and culture
• Mentorship and training programmes

Ready to Apply?

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful systemic change in a region where your impact truly matters. If you are passionate about supporting women and fostering safe, empowered communities, we'd love to hear from you.

If you're looking for the chance to bring your skills to a passionate not-for-profit organisation that's supporting the women who need it most, don't wait - APPLY NOW

Schedule for this job

• 8 hour shift

Benefits offered

• Employee assistance program

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