Family Lawyer

• Full time ongoing position
• Salary range: $95,187 - $104,924 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement
• Flexible location: Can be based either at Morwell or Bairnsdale office
• Relocation support available

About the role
In this role, you will:

• Appear as an advocate in various courts and tribunals.
• Conduct casework and provide legal information and advice (including at outreach locations), to members of the public by appointment, phone or teleconference and via outreach visiting services, in family violence, family law and/or child protection and other related matters.
• Participate in community legal education projects, law reform and other VLA projects

This role presents an exciting opportunity to engage in interesting, and, at times, complex work aimed at improving legal services across the Gippsland region. The varied and interesting work mix will allow you to accelerate the development of your advocacy skills. You will work closely with and be supported by a Senior Lawyer mentor and will report to a Deputy Managing Lawyer.

This role can be based at either of our Morwell or Bairnsdale office on Gunaikurnai Country.

About Gippsland
Discover Gippsland, where career growth meets quality living. With its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant communities, Gippsland offers diverse job opportunities across industries. Enjoy a lower cost of living, cultural richness, and proximity to both nature and city life. Embrace a fulfilling professional journey and a balanced lifestyle in Gippsland's welcoming communities.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Ability to represent clients in family law and family violence and/or child protection and other related matters as appropriate. 
• A current Australian practising certificate that 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 for family law)
• High-level interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with clients, staff, and external stakeholders, handling sensitive and complex issues.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to a supportive team environment and manage multiple priorities efficiently.

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 Penny Scheffer, Deputy Managing Lawyer on (03) 5126 6*** or ***********@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Wednesday 19 August 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.