Family Lawyer

About the roleThe Family Lawyer acts as an advocate within the regional office by providing high quality legal services including duty lawyer services, casework and advice services primarily in family law, family violence and child protection.

These roles is based at our Warrnambool office on Eastern Maar Country and in our Wodonga office on Wiradjuri Country.

Why Warrnambool?Warrnambool offers the chance to do meaningful legal work while enjoying regional living, including shorter commutes, a lower cost of living, and a strong sense of community. You will have more opportunities for court work and client contact early in your career, with support from an experienced and supportive team.

Why Wodonga? Wodonga is a busy, fast- growing and sophisticated regional city. Its schools and universities are highly rated, and opportunities abound for business and creative endeavours supported by communities across the twin Murray River cities Albury-Wodonga in an environment which offers respite to some cost-of-living pressures.

About youAs our ideal candidate, you will possess :

• Demonstrated ability to act as an advocate, deliver legal advice and casework and undertake negotiation and dispute resolution on behalf of clients in family law, family violence and / or child protection and other related areas of law.
• Knowledge or practical experience in relevant law and procedure with a focus on one or more of family law, family violence and / or child protection.
• High level of interpersonal and communication skills and the demonstrated ability to liaise and communicate effectively with clients, staff and external stakeholders and organisations.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with others and foster a cooperative and supportive team environment.
• A current Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner (mandatory).
• A knowledge of the general business of VLA and a commitment to our vision and values.

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 VLAWe 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

• A focus on work-life balance, including flexible working arrangements
• Hybrid work from home & office model
• Generous leave benefits, including :
• Three days paid seasonal leave (to be taken between Boxing Day and New Year's Day public holidays)
• Paid gender affirmation leave
• Five days both paid reproductive and fertility leave per calendar year
• Annual 3% salary increase each December plus performance-related salary incentives
• Attractive salary packaging options including General Expenses up to $15,900, Meals & Entertainment up to $2,650 PLUS Novated Leasing
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.

How to applyTo be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter addressing :

• your experience undertaking complex family law matters, and
• why you wish to work in the Warrnambool or Wodonga office

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 Amanda Chambers, Regional Manager on (03) 5559 7210 or for general queries to recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 22 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.