Panels Officer

About this role

• Full time maximum term position up to 12 months
• Salary range: $81,081 - $96,976 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement

About the role
In this role you will be responsible for proactively supporting the management and coordination of Victoria Legal Aid's (VLA) panels of private practitioners established under sections 29A and 30 of the Legal Aid Act 1978 (Vic). This will include the daily management of the panels (including inclusion and removal of practitioners) and engaging with private practitioners to address enquiries relating to panel applications or membership.

You will also be required to assist the Coordinator, Panels with projects, prepare materials for assessment and provide advice to senior staff and private practitioners in various committees, working groups and meetings on matters relevant to panels processes.

This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the capacity to write in a clear and concise manner.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Highly developed organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage own work priorities, meet deadlines and coordinate projects.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with others and foster a cooperative and supportive team environment.

Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we strongly encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate.

About VLA
We offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy to those who need it most. With over 1400 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.

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 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
To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria, specifically;

1. Highly developed organisational skills, including the ability to apply initiative, prioritise activities, manage own work priorities, meet deadlines and coordinate projects.
2. Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy and discretion, the ability to maintain confidentiality and the ability to liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
3. Highly developed written communication skills, including the capacity to write in a clear and concise manner.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team.

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Tilini Wickramadara, Coordinator Panels on (03) 9606 5264 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 19^th April 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.