Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service – Preston VIC

- Full Time | Fixed Term until 30 June 2027
- Preston, VIC
- $84,994 + Super + Salary Packaging
- Full Time | Fixed Term until 30 June 2027

Help create pathways that change lives.

As a Youth Pathway Coordinator with the Victoria Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), you'll work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who have experienced contact with the criminal legal system, helping them reconnect with education, employment, culture and community.

You'll become a trusted person in a young person's journey, helping them identify their strengths, overcome barriers, and achieve goals they may never have believed were possible.

Better still, you'll be joining a brand-current program where your ideas, experience and relationships will help shape how the service grows.

About VALS

The Victoria Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) and the state's only specialist legal and support service dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Since 1973, we've delivered culturally safe legal representation and holistic support across criminal, family, civil and human rights law, youth justice, and specialist litigation. Our work extends beyond legal services through programs including:

- 24/7 Custody Notification Service
- Transitional housing for women exiting custody
- Family violence programs
- Client support services
- Community legal education

At VALS, we believe in self-determination, cultural safety, and creating meaningful change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

About Balit Ngulu

Balit Ngulu is our specialist practice supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people up to 21 years of age.

Through legal representation and wrap-around support, we help young people navigate the justice system while building stronger futures outside it.

This role sits within the exciting new Strong Voice, Strong Futures Program,



delivered in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI).

Many young people disengage from education after experiencing significant disadvantage, trauma or justice system involvement.

Our goal is to walk alongside them, reconnecting them with education, employment, culture and community in ways that respect their choices, strengths and aspirations.

About the Role

Reporting to the Principal Managing Lawyer and working closely with the Lead Youth Pathway Coordinator, you'll provide practical, culturally safe and strengths-based support to young people participating in the program.

Every participant will have different goals.

One day you may be helping someone enrol in TAFE, organising driving lessons through brokerage funding, or connecting them with tutoring support.

The next, you may be attending court, meeting with schools, working alongside community organisations or helping someone build confidence to take their next step.

This is a highly collaborative role where relationship building is at the centre of everything you do.

What You’ll Be Doing

- Build trusted relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
- Develop individual pathway plans based on each participant's goals
- Support participants to reconnect with education, training and employment
- Coordinate tutoring, driving lessons, short courses and other brokerage supports
- Help young people develop practical life skills including resumes, licences and job readiness
- Work collaboratively with schools, TAFEs, employers and community organisations
- Attend court where appropriate and support participants through legal processes
- Maintain accurate case notes and contribute to program reporting




- Share ideas that improve and strengthen the delivery of this new program

About You

You're someone who genuinely enjoys working alongside young people and believes every person deserves the opportunity to succeed.

You build trust quickly, communicate respectfully, and remain calm when situations become challenging.

You enjoy working collaboratively and are motivated by seeing long-term positive outcomes rather than quick fixes.

You’ll also bring:

- Experience working with young people in community services, youth work, education or a similar environment
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Confidence working with a range of stakeholders including courts, schools, government agencies and community organisations
- A strengths-based, person-centred approach
- Strong organisational and administration skills
- The ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- A commitment to cultural safety, continuous learning and social justice

Experience working within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation or alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities will be highly regarded.

Essential Requirements

You will have either:

- A Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Work or a related discipline

OR

- At least 12 months' experience in a similar youth support role.

You'll also require:

- Current Employee Working With Children Check
- Current Victorian Driver Licence
- National Criminal History Check
- Australian working rights

Why Join VALS?

Along with meaningful work that creates lasting impact, you'll enjoy:

- Salary Packaging benefits to increase your take-home pay
- Additional cultural and wellbeing leave
- Professional development opportunities
- Supportive multidisciplinary team environment
- Opportunities to contribute to the development of a new statewide program
- Culturally safe and values-driven workplace
- Meaningful career progression within a respected Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation

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📌 Youth Pathways Coordinator (Williamstown)
🏢 Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
📍 Williamstown