Information Referral Officer

Legal Aid; Ballarat; Hybrid; AUD 81,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging up to $15,900

Hybrid work model

Generous leave benefits

3% annual salary increase

Professional development

Flu vaccinations

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Victoria Legal Aid, Ballarat Office, seeks an Information Referral Officer to support people affected by family violence. You will triage, identify risk, provide legal information and referrals, and assist clients in court and by phone, working with duty lawyers and court staff to ensure safety and understanding throughout proceedings.

The role offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement, a salary range of $81,081–$96,976 plus super, and generous leave benefits within a supportive regional team.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a legal setting, particularly in family violence, child protection or criminal law.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify people's needs and appropriate support.
• Clear, respectful communication skills, including the ability to support people who may be distressed or under pressure.
• An understanding of the legal and support services available to people affected by family violence.
• The ability to remain calm, focused and responsive in a busy court environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide triage, identify and respond to risk, and deliver clear and timely legal information and referrals.
• Support people in person at court and by telephone throughout the process.
• Collaborate with duty lawyers, Victoria Police, court staff, registrars, family violence support workers and other legal and community services to ensure clients feel safe and supported.

Skills

Legal setting experience

Problem-solving

Clear communication

Knowledge of legal and supportservices

Calm under pressure

Job description

# Information Referral Officer* Ballarat - Central Highlands* Other* Ongoing - full time or part time## About this role* **Full-time ongoing position (part-time application considered)*** **Salary range: $81,081 - $96,976 plus super*** **Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement****About the role**In this role, you'll provide high-quality support to people affected by family violence, helping them understand their legal options and access appropriate services. You'll provide triage, identify and respond to risk, provide clear and timely legal information and referrals, and support people both in person at court and by telephone.You'll work closely with duty lawyers, Victoria Police, court staff, registrars, family violence support workers and other legal and community services to ensure people feel safe, heard, respected and supported throughout the court process.*This role is based at our Ballarat office on Wadawurrung Country***Why Ballarat?*** Our office is just over an hour drive from Melbourne and Geelong.* All the amenities of a city, without the extended commute to work.* Exposure to multiple practice areas including crime, child protection, family violence, family law and civil justice.* Opportunity to deliver community legal education with legal staff and other specialist roles.* Feel a sense of connectedness and community from working in regional Australia.**About you**As our ideal candidate, you will possess:* Experience working in a legal setting, particularly in family violence, child protection or criminal law.* Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify people's needs and appropriate support.* Clear, respectful communication skills, including the ability to support people who may be distressed or under pressure.* An understanding of the legal and support services available to people affected by family violence.* The ability to remain calm, focused and responsive in a busy court environment.*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 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.**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 apply**To be considered for this role, please submit your current **resume** and a **cover letter addressing the following:**1. **What has attracted you to this role in the Ballarat Office of Victoria Legal Aid**2. **What skills and experience you could bring to the role with reference to 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 Erin Churchill, Regional Manager on (03) 5329 62222 or [e-mail].***No agency applications will be accepted.*****Applications close by 11.59pm on Sunday 18 October 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.