Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $131,154 - $155,000
Grade: Grade in advertisement
Occupation: Legal
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/VLA/CL/1913212
About the role
Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is seeking an experienced lawyer with specialist knowledge of prison law to lead work to enhance access to justice and strengthen VLA's services to people in custody. Situated in the Appeals and Strategic Litigation, Criminal Law team, this role will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to build VLA's organisational capacity to respond to the needs of people in prison.
The role will also provide advice, advocacy and casework to people in prison relating to prison law matters, identify systemic barriers and opportunities for advocacy and strategic litigation.
This role will be anchored at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country, however may negotiate to work flexibly at a VLA office that has connections to local prisons (such as Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong, etc)..
About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:
Don't meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we strongly encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate.
About VLA
We offer legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy to those who need it most. With over 1400 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.
Employee benefits
How to apply
To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter, detailing your interest in the role and addressing the key selection criteria.
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 Hui Zhou, Associate Director, Appeals and Strategic Litigation on (03) 9269 0591 or [email protected].
No agency applications will be accepted.
Applications close by 11.59pm on Wednesday 25 March 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.