Family Counselling jobs

About this role

• Full time or part time (0.4 – 0.8 FTE) ongoing position
• Salary range: $81,081 - $96,976 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging

About the role
This court-based position involves providing high quality in-person intake and assessment, risk identification, legal information, legal and non-legal referrals and support to people with family law, family violence or child protection legal needs.

It supports FASS by working alongside legal services, duty lawyers, family violence support services, mental health services and court staff to ensure people feel safe, supported and respected and have their legal and non-legal needs met.

These roles will be based at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) – Melbourne and Dandenong registries.

About you
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Practical knowledge of law and procedure, particularly in the areas of family law, family violence, and child protection gained from experience in a legal environment, including the ability to work with people who have used and experienced family violence.
• Demonstrated high level legal diagnostic and problem-solving skills with the ability to accurately assess and address client needs.
• Knowledge of legal, community and welfare organisations and an understanding of good referral practice.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with Australian First Peoples and understanding of cultural norms and communication styles.

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

• 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
• Discounted annual Myki public transport passes
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Access to gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.

How to apply
To be considered for this role, please submit your current resume and a cover letter 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 Victoria Byrne, Program Manager – Family Law on (03) 8606 0400 or recruitment@vla.vic.gov.au.

No agency applications will be accepted.

Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 2 August 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.

Job details