Legal Aid Commission, Office of the
Reference number 82380-44109917 Occupation Casework Aboriginal, Case Work Work type Full-Time Location Newcastle, Hunter & Region Salary Information
Closing date 13 May 2026 at 11:59pm
Aboriginal Identified – Aboriginal Field Officer Clerk Grade 5/6
* Salary Range $99,938 - $110,271 pa (plus superannuation and leave loading), Clerk Grade 5/6
* Ongoing Full-time role
* Location: Hunter Street, Newcastle Office
This vacancy is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identified recruitment under Part 5, clause 26 of the Government Sector Employment (General) Rules 2014. If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch for a confidential discussion by emailing: .
About us Legal Aid NSW helps people with their legal problems. We can help people with most areas criminal law, family law and every day civil law legal issues. We give legal advice, help at court and do family dispute resolution. We can do this over the telephone or at one of our 28 offices.
About the role Based in our Newcastle office, this role operates within a practice delivering criminal law services exclusively. As the Aboriginal Field Officer (AFO), you will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and work closely with solicitors to progress criminal matters. The role provides practical, cultural and client‑centred support, including assistance in court and throughout the lifecycle of a matter. You will assist with client engagement and court attendance, acting as a key link between clients, solicitors and the criminal justice system. Working in a fast‑paced environment, you will apply initiative, sound judgement and a solutions‑focused approach to support positive client outcomes.
About you You are committed to supporting clients through the criminal justice system and enjoy working in a practical, client‑focused role. You have strong written and verbal communication skills and are comfortable assisting solicitors and clients to progress criminal law matters.
You are well organised, resilient, and able to navigate complex situations with professionalism and cultural awareness. You work collaboratively with legal teams and community stakeholders, contributing to culturally safe service delivery and improved access to justice for Aboriginal communities.
Please Note: Legal Aid NSW considers that being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational qualification under s 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). Applicants for this role must satisfy the Aboriginality criteria. Aboriginality is defined by descent through parentage, identification as being Aboriginal and being accepted in the community as such. In the pre-screening questions you will need to provide information on how you satisfy the Aboriginality criteria.
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW! We are committed to diversity and inclusion We are committed to creating a culturally safe and genuinely inclusive organisation and workplace for everyone who works and interacts with us. We strive to be a place where people from diverse backgrounds want to work, where voices and cultures are valued and where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard.
We want a workforce that reflects our clients, so we can deliver a service that meets the needs of the community. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds - including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTQI+ community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities.
We acknowledge, support and accommodate the diverse access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities.
For application support or recruitment adjustments please contact the Talent Acquisition Team at or 02 9134 9347.
To learn more about Recruitment and Workplace Adjustments please visit Adjustments for individual needs | I Work for NSW.
Other benefits of working with us
* You will have access to training, development and mentoring opportunities.
* We are an accredited Flex Ready certified employer and are recognised as leaders in the area of flexible work. Most of our staff work flexibly - for example, from home some of the time or in a way that helps them balance family and work life.
* at Working at Legal Aid NSW
The essential requirements for this role You must:
* identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
* be willing to do a Criminal Record Check and a Working With Children Check
* have a valid NSW Drivers’ Licence
How to apply You must submit your application online. Applications received late or by email, will not be accepted. Please make sure your application is complete, and that you have answered all questions before submitting. Your application must include:
* your resume (no more than 5 pages)
cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please respond to the following targeted question:
*
o Target Question 1 – How have your skills and experience prepared you to thrive in this role?
We may use this recruitment to create a talent pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.
Do you need help to apply? It’s important to properly prepare before you apply for a role. Here is some other information to help you: If you have questions about the role, you can contact the Hiring Manager – Robyn Fraser on (0
* 4908 6156 or email:
* If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch to arrange a confidential conversation about any questions you may have.
* The Role Description sets out the responsibilities of the role.
* The focus capabilities and key accountabilities in the role description indicate what is expected at that level. Being familiar with these will help you understand what the panel will be looking for in the successful candidate.
* Applying for a Role
* Working at Legal Aid NSW
Closing Date: Wednesday, 13 May