Senior Lawyer, Child Protection

About this role

• Full time ongoing position
• Salary range: $113,668 - $131,153 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement
• Relocation supports available

About the role
In this role, you will act as a lead senior lawyer, conducting complex casework, providing legal representation and advice to our clients appearing in child protection and intervention order matters in the Children's Court of Victoria, and across other jurisdictions as required.

You will contribute to the professional development of the in-house legal practice by mentoring and supervising less experienced lawyers and work closely with professional and community agencies to enhance community legal education and assist in developing strategies to improve client services.

We welcome applications from candidates of all experience levels, including those who may not fully meet the advertised criteria.

Relocation support may be available for suitable applicants moving to Mildura. Mildura offers affordable housing, a strong community and access to the Murray River and surrounding parks.

This role is based at our Mildura office on Latji Latji, Ngintait and Nyeri Nyeri Country with regular travel within the region for community outreach.

Why relocate to Mildura?
Mildura offers the chance to do meaningful work while enjoying a strong sense of community, affordable living, and a unique regional lifestyle. In this role, your leadership will be visible, valued and impactful – both within VLA and across the wider community.

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 you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Comprehensive knowledge and practical experience in relevant law and procedures, particularly focusing on the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005, and expertise in child protection and evidence law.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact sensitively and empathetically particularly children and young people, as well as their parents, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Strong advocacy skills and proficiency in offering strategic advice on legal policy matters, with a keen understanding of external organizations, community, and welfare groups, and their significance in legal aid services.
• Leadership abilities, with experience in supervising and mentoring junior legal staff.
• A current unrestricted Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (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 addressing the key selection criteria (listed within the file attachments).

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 Daniel Bakewell, Acting Regional Manager on (03) 9300 5389 or Daniel.bakewell@vla.vic.gov.au or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 17 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.