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 2014, the Centre’s qualified 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

📌 Community Lawyer/Advocate Tenancy (Frankston)
🏢 Peninsula Community Legal Centre
📍 Frankston