Lawyer, Mental Health Legal Rights Service

- Location:

Melbourne - CBD## About this role* **Full time ongoing position*** **Salary range: $90,871 - $104,924 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging*** **Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model****About the role**This role you will be offering not just specialist intake assessments but also crucial information and legal guidance to those who need it most. You will be making and receiving referrals—both legal and non-legal—for a diverse array of issues surrounding mental health, disability, and related matters.Through collaboration with our dedicated MHLRS partners and the broader VLA network, this position is committed to fulfilling essential service requirements, ensuring that every referral is meaningful, and empowering the sector to genuinely cater to the unique needs of the consumers we serve.Together, we strive to create an environment where every individual feels understood, supported, and uplifted on their journey.*This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.***About you**As our ideal candidate, you will possess:* Proficient understanding of legal principles and procedures in civil law, with a focus on mental health and disability law, including the operations of the Mental Health Tribunal.* Demonstrated advanced legal diagnostic and problem-solving abilities, utilizing appropriate techniques to accurately evaluate and address client needs in a trauma-informed manner.* Knowledge regarding legal, community, and welfare organisations, as well as an understanding of effective referral practices.* Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including proficiency in telephone and in-person interactions with clients who have experienced trauma, complex needs, mental health challenges, disabilities, or social and economic disadvantages.* A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).**About Victoria Legal Aid**

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

options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 PLUS Novated Leasing* Discounted annual* 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**.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 Sam Twining, Deputy Managing Lawyer on (03) 9269 0698 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.***No agency applications will be accepted.*****Applications close by 11.59pm on Tuesday 17 February 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.| Location: | Melbourne - CBD || Attachments: | (Word, 238KB) Position Description | #J-18808-Ljbffr