- 11 x Full-time, ongoing positions commencing February 2027
- 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 2027 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 New 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 2027 Recent 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 recent 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 2027 placement pathways can be found here: https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/new-lawyers-program

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 2027, 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 c

📌 Lawyer, New Lawyers Program — Social Justice (Melbourne)
🏢 Victoria Legal Aid
📍 Melbourne