The Community Lawyer/Advocates will work within PCLC's newly funded Renters Rights Service assisting vulnerable and disadvantaged renters to identify and resolve their tenancy issues through the delivery of high- quality advice, triage, casework and advocacy services.
The Community Lawyers/Advocates will provide representation services as well as some duty lawyer/advocacy services at the Frankston/Oakleigh registries of the Residential Tenancies List of the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal.
The Community Lawyers/Advocates also contribute to other aspects of the Renters Rights service such as community engagement, visiting services, identification of systemic issues, networking, reporting and administration.
Key Focus Areas
Deliver high quality tenancy legal advice, casework, advocacy and representation services.
Provide representation and duty lawyer services at the Residential Tenancies List of VCAT.
Undertake case management, file review, reporting and administrative requirements.
Contribute to stakeholder engagement, referral pathways and sector collaboration.
Participate in outreach, community engagement and community legal education activities.
Identify systemic issues and contribute to advocacy and law reform activities.
Maintain compliance with legislative, professional and organisational requirements.
Organisational Context
Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC) is one of 49 community legal centres in Victoria. It operates across six local government area in the south east of Melbourne – Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Glen Eira, Kingston and Mornington Peninsula. PCLC is headquartered in Frankston and has branch offices in Bentleigh, Cranbourne and Rosebud.
PCLC works to empower and support disadvantaged community members of the South Eastern and Westernport region to use the law and legal system to protect and advance their rights and broaden their awareness of their responsibilities. PCLC offers general legal advice and casework services, specialist family law, tenancy, family violence, rooming house and social work programs, and is active in community legal education and law reform work.
Job Description
Accountability Areas
Deliver high- quality legal advice and casework, advocacy and representation services in accordance with the PCLC Advice and Casework Guidelines and Rental Rights Service Program requirements.
Provide representation/duty lawyer services in accordance with the Centre's Advice and Casework & TAAP Rental RightsProgram Guidelines.




Conduct ongoing casework in accordance with the Centre's Advice and Casework Guidelines and within the caseload/file limit directed from time to time
Work closely and collaboratively with the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal, Consumer Affairs Victoria and relevant staff in the Rental Rightsprogram and work closely collaboratively with the Legal Assistance sector, including Victoria Legal Aid and courts to support the CLSP program objectives.
Maintain an appropriate case management system, including undertaking regular file reviews
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records, including file notes, service delivery, quarterly client and casework statistics and prepare accurate information and case studies for six-monthly narrative reports.
Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation, procedures and practices relevant to the position.
Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant information, resources and referral options for clients.
Participate in regular supervision and caseworkers' meetings.
Ensure that all work is conducted within the requirements of the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act ****, the Centre's professional indemnity insurance and the Centre's policies and procedures.
Liaise with relevant organisations and workers.
Represent Peninsula Community Legal Centre at relevant community, government and other forums.
Participate in community legal education activities as directed.
Identify trends and issues arising from legal advice and casework practice.
Participate in activities which seek to ensure greater legislative and practical protection for PCLC clients, such as submission writing and participation in campaigns.
Liaise with and report to the Practice Manager, Tenancy on a regular basis.
Assist with collection of data and preparation of reports and other accountability documentation as required.
Desired Skills and Experience
Key Selection Criteria
Possess, or is eligible to possess, a current practicing certificate with one year post admission practice and/or tertiary qualifications in a relevant field such as law, housing, community services, community development or social work
Highly developed advocacy skills




Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to social justice principles, understanding of the legal assistance sector and a commitment to PCLC 's vision and values.
Experience in, or demonstrated capacity to undertake, direct legal service delivery, including provision of information, advice and referral services, negotiation and advocacy on behalf of clients, representation of clients in courts and other legal settings.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Demonstrated knowledge of the law and legal system, relevant legislation and procedures and relevant current issues relating to residential tenancies.
Experience in or demonstrated understanding of the housing and the homelessness sectors.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Well-developed organisational skills and ability to work with minimal supervision.
Competency in using word processing and electronic communication programs.
Holds a current Victorian Driver's Licence and has access to a reliable and comprehensively insured vehicle.
Other Requirements
You will be required to travel to PCLC branches, PCLC service locations and Courts and Tribunals. Access to a reliable and comprehensively insured motor vehicle is a requirement.
Ensure compliance with all Privacy Legislation and treat all information of a personal and sensitive nature concerning the business of PCLC and its clients, in a professional and confidential manner in accordance with PCLC's information and records management procedures.
Ensure that all PCLC policies, procedures, systems and work practices are implemented and adhered to, in particular, in human resource management, risk management and customer service.
Act in a professional manner at all times while performing duties for and/or representing PCLC in line with the Staff Code of Conduct.
For more information please contact the CEO on ********* or ******
PCLC is committed to creating a diverse and safe environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and Child Secure employer. PCLC is committed to building a culture that values diversity and promotes a workplace that welcomes and includes the unique contributions of all people. We encourage applications from individuals of all ages, backgrounds and identities, particularly applicants who identify as being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, are culturally diverse and/or LGBTQIA+. PCLC undertakes a variety of employment screening checks. This includes employment references, Working with Children Checks and Criminal History Checks.
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📌 Community Lawyer/Advocate Tenancy (Melbourne)
🏢 Peninsula Community Legal Centre
📍 Melbourne