Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service – Preston VIC

Salary:

$120,000 + Super + Salary Packaging Location:

Preston, VIC Employment Type:

Full Time | 12 Month Fixed Term (with strong potential for renewal)

As the senior legal practitioner within our specialist Balit Ngulu Youth Justice practice, you'll supervise, coach and support Client Support Officers (CSOs), helping them deliver high-quality, culturally protected support to clients.

At the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), you'll do more than appear in court. You'll advocate for young people at critical moments in their lives, help keep them connected to culture and community, and contribute to a justice system that delivers better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

We're looking for an experienced criminal lawyer to join

Balit Ngulu , our specialist Youth Justice practice. This is an outstanding opportunity to undertake meaningful advocacy, appear regularly in the Children's Court, mentor junior practitioners, and work alongside one of Victoria's leading Aboriginal legal services.

If you're passionate about criminal law and want your work to have genuine purpose, we'd love to hear from you.

Why join VALS? VALS is Victoria's only specialist Aboriginal Community Controlled legal service. For more than 50 years, we've been advancing justice, self-determination and culturally safe legal representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Joining VALS means joining a team that values excellence in advocacy, collaboration, cultural safety and social justice.

What we offer

Salary of

$120,000 plus Super

Increase your take-home pay through





salary packaging of up to $15,900

Extra 5 days leave + 17.5% annual leave loading

Work within one of Victoria's leading specialist youth justice legal practices

Regular advocacy in the Children's Court, Koori Court and other criminal jurisdictions

Meaningful and rewarding work that directly impacts the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people

A collaborative, supportive and values-driven team environment

Professional development, mentoring and leadership opportunities

The opportunity to contribute to law reform and systemic advocacy that improves justice outcomes

About the role As a Youth Crime Specialist Lawyer, you'll provide expert legal advice and representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people involved in the criminal legal system.

This is a hands on advocacy role where you'll appear regularly in court while also contributing to the leadership and development of a specialist legal practice.

You'll:

Appear regularly in the Children's Court (Criminal Division), Koori Court, Magistrates' Court and other criminal jurisdictions

Manage a diverse and complex criminal law practice, including serious and strategically significant matters

Deliver high-quality legal advice and advocacy to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people





Mentor and support Client Support Officers and other members of the Balit Ngulu team

Contribute to case strategy, legal practice development and continuous quality improvement

Build strong relationships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, courts and justice sector stakeholders

Deliver culturally safe, trauma-informed legal services

Contribute to community legal education, policy development and law reform initiatives that strengthen outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people

About you You'll be an experienced criminal lawyer who enjoys advocacy, thrives in a collaborative environment and is committed to delivering exceptional legal services.

You’ll bring:

Admission as an Australian Lawyer in Victoria (or eligibility for admission)

At least four years' post-admission experience practising criminal law

Strong advocacy and court appearance experience, ideally including the Children's Court

The ability to independently manage complex criminal law matters

Experience mentoring or supporting less experienced practitioners

Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills

A commitment to culturally safe practice and working respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Highly regarded

Experience appearing in youth justice or Children's Court matters

Eligibility for, or current membership of, Victoria Legal Aid's criminal and youth law panels

Experience working within community legal services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Victoria Legal Aid or other social justi

📌 Youth Crime Specialist Lawyer (Port Phillip City)
🏢 Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
📍 Port Phillip City