Senior Lawyer - Children's Court

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Senior Lawyer – Children's Court

role at

Victoria Legal Aid

Full‑time ongoing position (part‑time considered). Salary range: $113,668 – $131,153 (pro rata) plus super and salary packaging up to $15,900 with a hybrid work‑from‑home & office model.

About the role Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is seeking a Senior Lawyer to provide high‑quality legal services primarily in complex child protection, criminal, and intervention order matters in the Children’s Court of Victoria. The role involves legal advice, duty lawyer services, casework, representation, negotiation, and dispute resolution on behalf of children, young adults, and their families. As a senior member of our team, you will also mentor and train junior lawyers, nurturing their professional development.

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

About the 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. Services are provided across two Magistrates’ Courts (Dandenong and Moorabbin), the Specialist Children’s Court (Dandenong), the Drug Court, the Mental Health Tribunal, VCAT and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The City of Greater Dandenong is the most culturally diverse community in Australia, with residents from over 150 birth places and more than 60 % of the population born overseas.

About You (Ideal Candidate)

Proven experience in advocating and handling complex youth crime, child protection, and intervention order cases.

Extensive practical knowledge of the Children, Youth & Families Act 2005 and related laws.

Strong interpersonal skills, with clear, constructive communication abilities.

Experience mentoring and training junior lawyers, fostering team growth.

A current Unrestricted Australian practising certificate, which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).

Don’t meet every requirement? We encourage you to apply anyway.

Employee Benefits

Focus on work‑life balance with flexible working arrangements.

Hybrid work from home & office model.

Training and professional development opportunities.

Excellent salary packaging options (General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650, Novated Leasing).

Access to discounted Private Health Insurance.

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 an alternative format for any application material, please contact our team. For further information, review the attached position description or contact Fatima Arjumand Mir, Regional Manager at (03) 9767 7176 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11:59 pm on Wednesday 26 November 2025.

Other Relevant Information Staff will be required to attend office‑based days at their primary work location. Interstate applications will be considered only if the candidate is willing and able to relocate to Victoria, unless part of a border community.

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.

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