Bail and Remand Support Coordinator (Preston)

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Superannuation

Job summary

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) in Preston, Victoria, is seeking a Bail and Remand Support Coordinator to provide intensive, short‑term support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults on bail. You will identify practical barriers to bail compliance and connect clients with housing, transport, health and community services, including targeted brokerage.

The role operates across Aboriginal-led and mainstream services, focusing on the high‑risk early period after release.

Qualifications

• Experience in case work, case coordination or client support.
• Experience engaging respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
• Understanding bail/remand and its impact on clients and families.
• Ability to manage complex needs and maintain accurate case notes.

Responsibilities

• Identify practical barriers to bail compliance with clients.
• Receive referrals and provide immediate support after release.
• Help clients understand and meet bail conditions and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate referrals to Aboriginal-led and mainstream services.
• Undertake housing advocacy and brokerage coordination.
• Provide practical assistance through brokerage (transport, phones, etc.).
• Maintain regular contact and liaison with justice stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate case notes and contribute to reporting.

Skills

Case management

Aboriginal engagement

Crisis support

Communication skills

Education

Certificate IV or Diploma in Community Services

Job description

Bail and Remand Support Coordinator (Preston)

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service – Preston VIC

$84,994 - $91,455 a year

Full time, Contract

• $84,994-$91,455 + superannuation + salary packaging

Support Aboriginal people to stay connected, supported and on bail.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who is passionate about supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and wants to make a practical difference at a critical point in the justice system.

As a Bail and Remand Support Coordinator, you will provide intensive, short‑term support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults who are on bail, helping them navigate the challenges that can arise immediately following release.

You will work alongside clients to understand their circumstances, identify practical barriers to bail compliance and connect them with the right supports. This could include housing, transport, health and community services, as well as practical assistance through targeted brokerage.

About the Bail and Remand Support Program

The Bail and Remand Support Program is an Aboriginal-led, place-based initiative operating across VALS’ North Metro Melbourne and Mildura regions.

The program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults who are at risk of remand or currently on bail. Working alongside the Bail Report Writer, the program provides culturally informed reporting before court and intensive, short‑term coordination and brokerage following release.

The role focuses on the high-risk early period following release, helping clients understand and meet their bail conditions, access appropriate supports and avoid unnecessary breaches and further remand.

About the role

You will:

• Work with clients to identify practical barriers to successful bail compliance.
• Receive referrals and handovers from the Bail Report Writer and provide immediate support following release.
• Help clients understand and meet their bail conditions and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate referrals to Aboriginal-led and mainstream services.
• Undertake housing advocacy and referral coordination.
• Provide practical assistance through targeted brokerage, including transport, phones and material assistance.
• Maintain regular contact with clients during the early period of bail.
• Liaise with lawyers, courts and other justice stakeholders regarding compliance matters.
• Maintain accurate case notes and contribute to program data and reporting.
• Support clients to transition to longer‑term local services once they are stabilised.

This is a role where relationships, practical problem‑solving and cultural safety are central. You will need to be comfortable working with clients experiencing complex circumstances and responding calmly and thoughtfully when situations change quickly.

About you

You will be someone who can build genuine, respectful relationships and provide culturally safe, trauma-informed and strengths‑based support.

You will bring:

• Experience in case work, case coordination or client support, ideally within justice, community services, health or human services.
• Experience engaging respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, families and communities.
• An understanding of the barriers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can experience within the criminal justice system.
• An understanding of bail and remand and how these systems affect clients and their families.
• Confidence supporting clients with complex needs, including situations involving crisis or a high risk of bail breach.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to coordinate practical support and brokerage.
• The ability to build effective relationships with Aboriginal-led and mainstream service providers.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to maintain accurate case notes and records.
• Sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• A willingness to travel throughout the designated service region.

What would be great to have

• A Certificate IV or Diploma in Community Services or a similar qualification, or a willingness to obtain one.
• Knowledge of the Victorian Bail Act and Victorian criminal justice system.
• Knowledge of local Aboriginal services, cultural supports and referral pathways.
• Experience working within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation or alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Experience administering brokerage or coordinating practical client assistance.

About VALS

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation and Victoria’s only specialist legal and support service dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Established in 1973, VALS provides culturally safe legal advice and representation across criminal, family, civil and human rights law, youth justice and specialist litigation. Our broader supports include a 24/7 Custody Notification Service, transitional housing, family violence programs, one-to-one client support and community legal education.

Our Community Justice Programs team provides culturally safe, community‑led justice support across Victoria, working closely with clients, families and communities to address legal, social and cultural needs and reduce over‑incarceration through early intervention, diversion and holistic support.

• Do work that matters: Support Aboriginal people at a critical stage of the justice process.
• Make a practical difference: Help clients overcome barriers to bail compliance and connect with culturally appropriate support.
• Work in a culturally informed environment: Join an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professionals.
• Develop your practice: Access supervision, professional development and opportunities to strengthen your justice and community services practice.
• Salary packaging: Access salary packaging benefits available to eligible VALS employees.
• 5 additional leave days per year

Mandatory requirements

Successful applicants will be required to have or obtain:

• A current Employee Working with Children Check.
• A valid Victorian Driver Licence.
• A National Criminal History Check.
• Evidence of Australian work rights.