Overview
Work Type: Fixed-term - Part-time
Salary: $66,772 - $81,080
Grade: WVR 2.2
Occupation: Graduate
Location: Melbourne - Western suburbs
Reference: VG/VLA/RSD/1904888
We are looking for individuals from diverse and/or socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with a connection to Melbourne's Western Suburbs to join our team.
* Kick-start your legal career in social justice
* Maximum term position commencing in March 2026 to October FTE)
* Salary: $73,926 (pro rata) plus super and generous salary packaging (up to $15,900 p.a)
About the program
This program was created to honour the legacy of His Honour Steve Myall, Magistrate at Sunshine and Wyndham Courts. His Honour made a significant contribution to the people and communities of Melbourne's Western Suburbs with his humanity and was renowned for his commitment to therapeutic and social justice.
The successful applicant will gain hands-on experience and mentoring across various legal fields including criminal, family and civil law. You will have the chance to dive into diverse legal aid work including observing court proceedings and tribunals, conducting legal research and working on client files, participating in client advice sessions, responding to client enquiries and providing information and referral services. Additionally, you will also be exposed to the administration component of the organisation, where you will gain experience in frontline triage and clerking at court and reception.
Throughout your journey, you'll be supported and guided by a dedicated host and Regional Manager, while working as part of a dedicated team of 50 lawyers, administrative staff and non-legal advocates.
This role is based at our Sunshine office on Wurundjeri Country.
About you
We are looking for community-minded people who embody our values of fairness, care, courage and inclusion, and who want a career in social justice and human rights.
We are excited to invite applications from law graduates who bring diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or come from a socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds with strong interest in working within the local community in Melbourne's Western Suburbs.
Our program is designed to give you valuable exposure and access to networks, expertise, hands-on experience, mentoring, and training. We aim to support those who might face systemic barriers and help you build a meaningful career.
We are seeking a values-driven, highly motivated law graduate who has a career interest in social justice/ human rights who can demonstrate their commitment to the community and VLA's vision and values of fairness, care and courage and inclusion.
To be accepted for the program, you must be eligible to commence your PLT in March 2026. Students who have completed their PLT are ineligible to apply.
Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.
About Victoria Legal Aid
We offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy to those who need it most. With over 1500 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.
At VLA, we offer more than just a job – we offer a career with purpose. You'll be part of a diverse, inclusive organisation that values your ideas and perspectives.
Benefits include:
* Focus on work-life balance including flexible working arrangements
* Hybrid work from home & office model
* Training and professional development opportunities
* Excellent salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650, and Novated Leasing.
* Access to discounted Private Health Insurance
How to apply
To be considered for this role, please submit the below:
* Resume
* Completed candidate application form
* PLT Enrolment confirmation
* Academic transcript or Statement of results
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 Alex Foster, Administrative Services Manager on or
No agency applications will be accepted.
Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 8 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.
Applications close Sunday 8 February 2026 at 11.59pm
Posted
19 January 2026