11 x Full-time, ongoing positions commencing February ****
Starting salary of $95,187 + superannuation and generous salary packaging (up to $15,900p.a.)
Structured two-year graduate pathway with ongoing role offered on completion
Diverse placements across Victoria, including regional offices
Launch your legal career with purpose
The **** New Lawyers Program (NLP) is your chance to begin your legal career with one of Victoria's most dynamic and diverse legal practices, Victoria Legal Aid (VLA).
Over two years, you'll rotate through three placements, each eight months long, gaining hands‐on experience in different areas of law and working directly with clients who need your support most.
This is more than a graduate program - it's the start of a career where your skills and commitment will make a difference every day.
About the Recent Lawyers Program
The NLP is a structured two-year pathway designed to accelerate your career while making a real difference for Victorians.
Through three set placements, you'll gain practical experience across areas such as criminal law, family violence, family law, child protection, youth crime, civil justice, and access to justice services.
Each move means stepping into a new office and community, adapting to different teams, clients, and requirements.
At the end of the program, you'll transition into an ongoing lawyer role within VLA, continuing a rewarding career within social justice.
Why this work matters
As an NLP lawyer, you'll represent some of Victoria's most vulnerable people, including clients with experiences of trauma, family violence, child protection involvement, mental health issues, disability, substance dependency and systemic disadvantage.
The work can be challenging and emotionally demanding - but also incredibly rewarding.
You'll see the direct impact of your advocacy every day and contribute to shaping a fairer, more just Victoria.
We'll also support you every step of the way with:
Expert supervision from senior lawyers and practice leaders (including 60+ accredited specialists)
Dedicated mentors and structured training to grow your legal, advocacy and leadership skills
Development in resilience and wellbeing strategies to sustain a long-term legal career
Placement Pathways
The program is designed to give you breadth of experience and prepare you for your career at VLA.
Placements may include:
Metro or Regional office locales, practicing across a variety of the legal disciplines.
Criminal Law- summary crime, youth crime, family violence matters, therapeutic justice approaches or indictable crime.
Family, Youth and Children's Law- child protection, family law, child support, or youth justice.
Civil Justice Law- equality law, civil and administrative justice, economic and social rights, or specialist advocacy.




Access to Justice Services- first contact client services such as Legal Help and integrated service models.
Regional placements are a unique career opportunity.
As part of the **** New Lawyers Program, we are offering three pathways in regional locations.
Our regional pathways offer the opportunity to gain experience as a generalist lawyer and complete placements in criminal law, civil justice law and family law.
New lawyers must be willing to relocate regionally if required.
Regional placements offer:
Broader casework and faster responsibility in smaller teams
Closer connection with clients and communities, where your work has visible impact
Stronger mentoring relationships with senior lawyers and leaders
A chance to develop professional resilience and adaptability in new settings
These placements are often career-defining experiences, and we strongly encourage applicants to preference an outer regional pathway.
Each placement pathway includes three rotations and is linked to a home directorate, where you'll be placed permanently after completing the program.
Full details of the available **** placement pathways can be found here:
About you
We're looking for early‐career lawyers who are passionate about social justice, are adaptable, and ready to grow.
You'll bring:
Eligibility to hold a Practicing Certificate that entitles you to practice law in Victoria by 31 January ****, with less than 12 months' post‐admission experience at the time of application
commitment to building a sustainable, socially impactful legal career
strong communication and interpersonal skills - you can explain complex law in plain English, connect across cultures and build trust with clients and colleagues
resilience, reflection and self‐leadership to manage the demands of high‐stakes, potentially distressing work
interest in working across diverse legal areas and flexibility to relocate for regional placements (if you preference a pathway that requires relocation)
We strongly encourage applications from Australian First Nations lawyers and from people of diverse backgrounds and with lived experience.
About Victoria Legal Aid
We offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non‐legal advocacy to those who need it most.
With over ****+ 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.
At VLA, we offer more than just a job - we offer a career with purpose.
You'll be part of a diverse, inclusive organisation that values your ideas and perspectives.
Employee benefits
A focus on work‐life balance, including flexible working arrangements
Hybrid work from home & office model
Generous leave benefits, including:
Three days paid seasonal leave (to be taken between Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays)
Paid gender affirmation leave
Five days both paid reproductive and fertility leave per calendar year
Annual 3% salary increase each December plus performance‐related salary incentives
Attractive salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 and Novated Leasing
Discounted annual Myki public transport passes
Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources
Important eligibility information
Applicants must reside in Victoria or a nearby border community and be available for regular in‐office and at‐court attendance.
Interstate candidates are welcome to apply if willing to relocate.
Placements are confirmed in advance to support workforce planning and lawyer development.
While occasional adjustments may be required to meet business requirements, you'll know your rotations ahead of time.
Access to personal transport is required for many placements (especially regional), as public transport may not be available.
All positions require a valid Working with Children Check and may be subject to a police check.
VLA is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.
For further information:
Review theattached position description
Review theattached **** NLP Pathways information sheet
Read ourNew Lawyers Program webpage
Contact VLA's Early Careers Specialist at ******
No agency applications will be accepted.
Applications close by *****pm on Sunday 11 October ****
Other relevant informationIt is a requirement that staff attend for office‐based days at their primary work location.
Interstate candidates are welcome to apply if willing to relocate.
VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.
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📌 Lawyer, New Lawyers Program (Melbourne)
🏢 Victoria Legal Aid
📍 Melbourne