Information & Referral Officer

About this role

• Full-time maximum term position up to 25 June 2027
• 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'll provide high-quality support to people affected by family violence, helping them understand their legal options and access appropriate services. You'll provide triage, identify and respond to risk, provide clear and timely legal information and referrals, and support people both in person at court and by telephone.

You'll work closely with duty lawyers, Victoria Police, court staff, registrars, family violence support workers and other legal and community services to ensure people feel safe, heard, respected and supported throughout the court process.

The role requires regular travel to Dandenong and Moorabbin Magistrates' Courts for court-based support and community engagement, as well as building strong, respectful relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

This role is based at our Dandenong office on Bunurong Country.

About Dandenong office
The Dandenong team is the largest regional VLA office providing legal services across criminal law, family violence, child protection, youth crime, family and civil law.  A large team of Independent Mental Health Advocates and an Independent Family Advocate are based in the region. Legal services are provided across two Magistrates' Courts (Dandenong and Moorabbin), the Specialist Children's Court (Dandenong), the Drug Court, the Mental Health Tribunal, the AAT, VCAT and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The City of Greater Dandenong local government area is the most culturally diverse community in Australia, with residents from over 150 birth places and over 60% of its population born overseas.  

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Experience working in a legal setting, particularly in family violence, child protection or criminal law.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify people's needs and appropriate support.
• Clear, respectful communication skills, including the ability to support people who may be distressed or under pressure.
• An understanding of the legal and support services available to people affected by family violence.
• The ability to remain calm, focused and responsive in a busy court 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 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.

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 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 Alex Babic, Acting Deputy Managing Lawyer on (03) 9767 7111 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

This position is advertised internally and only available to current VLA employees. 

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 27 September 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.