Legal Services Commission
Job reference: req183
Location: MOUNT GAMBIER
Job status: Ongoing
Eligibility: Open to Everyone
The Organisation
Legal Services is passionate about ensuring justice is available and accessible for all South Australians. As the largest legal assistance service in SA, we ensure that South Australians have access to a trusted lawyer when they need help to be heard, easy ways to learn about their rights and responsibilities, and service to answer any legal questions.
Each year 140,000 South Australians benefit from the services we deliver.
The Opportunity
Legal Services has a unique and exciting opportunity for an experienced lawyer to join our team and to establish our presence in the Southeast.
The Senior Lawyer, Family Law - Mount Gambier will:
* represent clients in receipt of legal aid and deliver quality legal services in relation to family law matters and act, as required, as the children's representative in child protection proceedings.
* appear as an advocate in family and youth courts including contested hearings or short trials in the Youth Court, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
* appear as a representative in family dispute resolution matters including property matters and if accredited, act as Independent Children's Lawyer in Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia matters.
* assist with the implementation of Legal Services' strategic framework and projects as required including law reform and community legal education.
* in collaboration with the Lawyer in Charge, identify, develop and maintain key stakeholder relationships within the Southeast region area and represent Legal Services on family law related community and government committees and forums.
A career at Legal Services is More than Law. See our stories, including from our regional lawyers, here.
If you feel you have what it takes to be successful in this role, apply now
Salary Range
$101,768-$111,920 per annum pro rata plus a 15% regional allowance and 12% superannuation
As a not-for-profit organisation, Legal Services is able to offer its employees attractive salary sacrifice arrangements, including up to $15,900 pre-tax Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) year for general living expenses.
Regional Incentives
Legal Services is committed to enticing the best lawyers to pursue their careers in the regions, and offers generous financial and professional incentives. These incentives include:
* A regional salary allowance of 15% of the per annum salary whilst employed in the Mt Gambier role.
* A commitment to maintaining your professional and personal connections to Adelaide; with funded return trips to Adelaide, including for targeted professional development.
* Generous relocation assistance; including removalist expenses, one-way moving and travel costs, and short-term accommodation support, if required.
* A generous relocation incentive payment for the successful candidate who is required to relocate to the region, which is paid over three instalments, specific criteria applies. Please speak to Legal Services Human Resources for more information.
Position Status
More than one ongoing contract available at LSC3 classification level.
What You Need for Success
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a collaborative, evolving environment. As the office is newly established, we're building together, which means adaptability, initiative, and a willingness to learn are key. The successful candidate will be comfortable navigating ambiguity, contributing to foundational operations, and working closely with colleagues to shape the way forward. While there aren't years of embedded local Legal Services' experience in the Southeast, there is strong support from the Adelaide Office, and the ability to tap into those networks and expertise.
The ideal candidate will:
* Hold an unrestricted Category C Practising Certificate or currently eligible to apply for an unrestricted Category C Practising Certificate.
* Be an admitted practitioner of the Supreme Court of South Australia and High Court of Australia.
* Have 5 years post admission legal experience and at least 2 years family law or child protection law experience.
* Possess significant experience in the family law justice system.
* Possess a thorough knowledge of family law, child protection law, practice and the law of evidence in South Australia.
Workplace Benefits
We provide a range of financial and non-financial benefits to our employees that include:
* The opportunity to work alongside passionate and dedicated colleagues in a supportive workplace that is concerned about employee well-being.
* Generous salary sacrifice benefits through Smart Salary (as outlined above).
* Flexible working arrangements.
* Payment of Practising Certificate for legal staff.
* Payment of relevant Professional memberships.
* Support for employees and their family through our inclusive Employee Assistance Program.
* Supported training and development opportunities in areas including working with vulnerable clients, cultural sensitivity and trauma informed practice.
* Access to a comprehensive in-house legal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program.
* Contemporary workplace accommodation.
* Career development opportunities within the team and the organisation.
* Payment of employment screening checks.
* Access to Fitness Passport: a workplace health and fitness program that give you and your family access to wide choice of gyms and pools across South Australia.
Next Steps
To apply for this role, you will need to click on the Apply now button. Have your resume, preferably in a PDF version ready to be attached and a cover letter. All applications are to be submitted by 26/10/2025 at 11:59 PM.
Should you require any further information please direct your query to Tania Sulan - Director, Strategy and Partnerships on
Please click here for the Position Description.
We welcome applications from everyone. We are an inclusive employer, and support diversity and inclusion by recognising our staff for their unique qualities, ideas, and insights.
Applications close: 26/10/2025 11:59 PM
Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.