Location: Shepparton, VIC
Employment Type: Full-time, 12-month fixed-term (strong potential to become ongoing)
Salary: $110,000 + superannuation + salary packaging
Work Model: Hybrid and flexible work arrangements
Build a meaningful legal career in Shepparton. Serve your local community.
The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) is seeking a community-focused lawyer to lead and deliver family law services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in the Shepparton region.
This role is designed for a lawyer who is already part of the Goulburn Valley community, or someone who is intentionally choosing to build their life and long-term legal career in Shepparton.
It offers stable, meaningful regional practice, strong organisational support, and the opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of local families through culturally safe, community-based legal work.
About VALS
VALS is Victoria's only Aboriginal Community Controlled legal service. We deliver culturally safe legal and support services across family law, child protection, family violence, criminal law, youth justice, civil law and human rights.
Our work is grounded in self-determination, community leadership and justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
About the role
This is a community-based leadership role focused on delivering consistent, high-quality family law services in the Shepparton region.
You will:
* Provide family law, child protection and family violence legal services to local clients
* Manage complex matters within a supported team environment
* Supervise and support Client Service Officers
* Build strong relationships with local Aboriginal organisations and community services
* Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with the Client Support Officer including: day to day direction, and maintaining a joint understanding of clients legal and non legal needs through weekly assessment meetings.
* Work collaboratively with local courts, Victoria Legal Aid and regional service providers
* Contribute to community legal education and prevention work
* Be part of a broader VALS practice structure that supports safe, sustainable legal work
This role prioritises continuity of service, strong local relationships, and long-term community impact.
About you
You are a community-minded legal practitioner who values stability, meaningful work and strong professional relationships.
You will bring:
* Admission (or eligibility for admission) as a legal practitioner with an unrestricted practising certificate
* Experience in family law, child protection or family violence
* Capacity to manage complex matters with appropriate support
* Experience supervising, mentoring or supporting colleagues (formal or informal)
* Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a regional office, including with other teams where client need has been identified.
* Strong communication skills and respectful engagement with Aboriginal communities
* A commitment to culturally safe practice
* Alignment with VALS values and purpose
Mandatory requirements:
Working with Children Check, Police Check, Driver Licence, and proof of right to work in Australia.
Why join VALS?
* Long-term, community-based legal career pathway
* Purpose-driven work that creates real local impact
* Culturally safe, community-controlled workplace
* Strong organisational support and professional backing
* Stable regional practice environment
* Salary packaging and not-for-profit benefits
* Flexible and hybrid work arrangements
* Inclusive and supportive workplace culture
Apply If:
you are seeking a meaningful legal role in Shepparton and want to contribute to justice, safety and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in your local community, we encourage you to apply.
VALS strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disability and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Recruitment adjustments are available on request.Unlock job insights
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Your application will include the following questions:
Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia? What's your expected annual base salary? Do you have a current Australian driver's licence? Do you own or have regular access to a car? How many years' experience do you have in family law? Do you currently hold an unrestricted practising certificate in Victoria? Do you hold (or are you willing to obtain) all mandatory checks, including a Working with Children Check, National Police Check, and a valid Victorian Driver Licence?
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