Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service – Preston VIC
Full Time | Fixed Term until 30 June ****
Preston, VIC
$84,994 + Super + Salary Packaging
Full Time | Fixed Term until 30 June ****
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-new 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 ****, 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
Career 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
#J-*****-Ljbffr

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