• Kick-start your legal career in social justice and human rights
• Get paid to complete your Practical Legal Training and grow your legal experience with supervision and mentors
• Receive cultural support through our First Nations Employment Consultant and connect with our First Nations Staff Network
• Grow your career as a Lawyer, with wide options across an organisation making a difference for vulnerable Victorians.
• Salary: $73,926 (pro rata) plus super and generous salary packaging (up to $15,900 p.a) 

About the program

With three positions available, VLA's First Nations Law Graduate Program provides a supportive, challenging and rewarding environment for First Nations law graduates to:

• work on legal matters that make a difference as part of VLA's legal teams;
• develop your skills through training, supervision and mentoring from expert lawyers,
• complete your Practical Legal Training through Leo Cussen Centre for Law, ready for Admission. 

Over twelve months (starting May 2026), the Graduate program will guide you through the experience, providing you with comprehensive training and mentoring as well as networking opportunities. 

As a First Nations Law Graduate program participant, you will complete one placement in either Civil Justice, Criminal law, Family law, Access and Equity, and Internal Legal Practice.  You can find out more information about our work at this link: What we do | Victoria Legal Aid. 

VLA will pay your PLT course fees, and three days of your work week will be fully devoted to PLT studies. The remaining two days focus on practical tasks, skills development and other on the job learning and shadowing. You'll be a key part of our team with responsibility and have genuine opportunities for career growth and development. 

Every day our graduates have many opportunities to expand their knowledge, with access to:

1. Leading expertise – Not only in casework, VLA also delivers strategic advocacy to change our justice system and fight disadvantage, and contribute to community legal education. You will be involved in matters that will engage you, challenge you and give you opportunity to grow and deepen your expertise.
2. Real legal work - from your first day, you will have the opportunity to get involved in legal work that makes a difference.
3. Training and development - a combination of formal and on-the-job training that covers technical and soft skills.
4. Mentoring and networking – our Graduates benefit from mentoring and relationship building across VLA in a way that fosters personal and career development, networking and the sharing of knowledge, experience and learning. All graduates can participate in VLA's First Nations Staff Network including meetings and in person conferences.
5. A structured Supervision Model and ongoing training and professional development opportunities 

The Law Graduate program is also an ideal pathway to our New Lawyers Program (NLP), as you'll be guaranteed an interview for the 2027 NLP intake. Once you're Admitted to practice, you can also apply for any of VLA's diverse legal roles across Victoria.  

About you

We are looking for community-minded people who embody our values of fairness, care, courage and inclusion, and who want a career in social justice and human rights. 

We are looking for First Nations Law Graduates who have the potential to grow into excellent lawyers and build a career at VLA; people who are curious, personable, committed, optimistic and who can show that they are:

• "All-rounders" who are connected to community, and have activities outside their studies (previous Grads have been involved in mooting, team sports, community leadership, art, land conservation, etc)
• Team players
• Clear and concise writers
• Confident and articulate communicators
• Committed to life-long learning and development
• Familiar with legal services work through clerkships, paralegal or legal administration work, voluntary experience, or other experience

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. 

This program is open to First Nations law graduates. VLA considers that being an Aboriginal and/or a Torres Strait Islander person is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic). 

About Victoria Legal Aid

We offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy to those who need it most. With over 1500 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
• Culturally-aligned support through VLA's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy including access to Cultural and Ceremonial leave and participation in the First Nations Staff Network.
• 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 PLUS Novated Leasing
• Discounted annual Myki public transport passes
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Access to gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources. 

How to apply

Please apply online, including a cover letter that tells us about why you want to join VLA, and what you hope to learn on the Graduate Program (including any preferences of location &/or legal practice area/s) and submit together with:

• Your current resume
• Your academic transcript, showing completion of your law degree.
• For this program, you must be eligible to commence PLT in May 2026.

As this program is designated for First Nations (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) Australians provide information that supports your identity as a First Nations person. This can include a certified Confirmation of Aboriginality document or letter from an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation where you are from, or where you live. We understand this can be challenging sometimes, so please contact us if this is a barrier and we can discuss. 

For further information, please review the attached position description. If you require adjustment to the recruitment and selection process or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Steph McStay, First Nations Employment Consultant on (03) 9269 0496 or at FirstNationsEmployment@vla.vic.gov.au or Laurel Bakos, Early Careers Specialist on (03) 9269 0278 or at earlycareers@vla.vic.gov.au. 

Applications close by 11:59pm on Tuesday 10 March 2026 

Other relevant information

It is a requirement that staff attend for office-based days at their primary work location. In line with this requirement, interstate applications will be considered only where the candidate is able and willing to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community.

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.