Senior Family Lawyer

About this role

• Full time maximum term position up to 2 years
• Salary range: $104,925 - $122,409 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement

About the role
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is seeking a Senior Lawyer to join our Warrnambool regional team. In this role, you will provide high-quality legal services with a focus on family law, family violence, and/or child protection matters, including intervention order applications

You will act as a duty lawyer in the Magistrates' Court of Victoria and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, including through the Family Advocacy and Support Services (FASS) program. Additionally, you will mentor and supervise junior lawyers, contribute to community legal education, and participate in policy and law reform initiatives.

Some regional travel will be required to support service delivery and community engagement.

This role is based at our Warrnambool office on Gunditjmara Country.

Why Warrnambool?

• Vibrant local culture of art, music, food and history
• Relaxed coastal living with stunning beaches and views
• Excellent work life balance without the noise and traffic
• Surrounded by nature- close to the Grampians, parks and reserves that protect native plants and wildlife

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Strong knowledge of family law, family violence, and/or child protection law, with experience in relevant court processes.
• Strong Communication and Interpersonal Skills to engage effectively with diverse clients, especially those facing social and economic disadvantage.
• The ability to supervise and mentor junior legal staff and contribute to the development of training and educational programs.
• A current Unrestricted Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).
• Entitled to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners) (mandatory). 

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
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• 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.

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 Amanda Chambers, Regional Manager on (03) 5559 7210 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Monday 11 May 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.