Legal Support Officer

Department Of Families, Fairness And Housing; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 34,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Department of Families, Fairness and Housing is seeking a legal support officer (3 x part-time) for the Legal Services Branch in Melbourne. The role offers hands-on experience in administration, privacy matters, and support across central office operations.

Ideal candidates are penultimate or final year LLB/JD students with strong written and oral communication, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritise work in a busy public service environment.

Qualifications

• Australian citizen, permanent resident or valid work visa.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to methodically review documents to detect errors.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support for filing and record management in LEX, TRIM, and Teams.
• Coordinate triage of central inboxes and provide timely advice.
• Assist solicitors and paralegals with drafting, court books, briefs and budget support.

Skills

Excellent communication

Attention to detail

Education

Penultimate or final year LLB/JD student

Tools

LEX (internal legal matter management system)

TRIM Content Management System

Microsoft Teams

Job description

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) works hard to create equal opportunities for all Victorians to live a safe, respected and valued life.

Our areas of focus are child protection, housing, disability, the prevention of family violence, multicultural affairs, LGBTIQA+ equality, veterans, women and youth. The work we do benefits thousands of Victorians, particularly those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable.

We work in a variety of community-based settings, including people's homes, residential facilities and secure settings across metropolitan, rural and regional Victoria.

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated. All jobs can be worked flexibly, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from diverse backgrounds and abilities.

If you're having any trouble viewing this ad and would like it or any attachments in an accessible format (such as large print), please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on the ad.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria | Jobs (www.dffh.vic.gov.au/jobs)

THE ROLE - 3 x Part time positions available

The legal support officer role will provide the opportunity for 2027 penultimate and final year Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Juris Doctor students to work in the department's Legal Services Branch. The position will give valuable insight into the role of a leading Victoria Public Service (VPS) department and build capabilities suitable for a legal career in the VPS.

The role provides assistance across the business operations and litigation functions of the Central Office teams in the Legal Services Branch. The functions of the role provide a wide range of administrative and litigation support in the day to day operations of the branch.

The legal support officer will assist with duties including file and record management, preparation of legal research and paperwork and triaging correspondence through central inboxes and providing associated initial analysis for legal advice on a variety of privacy matters This role will also involve data entry, matter management support and report preparation. The legal support officer may also be requested to support the leadership team in relation to various priorities and projects for the department and its ministers.

To succeed in this role, the successful candidate will need to demonstrate they are motivated, flexible, demonstrate initiative, enthusiasm and good judgment. They must have excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to methodically review documents to detect and correct errors.

ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE

• Provide administrative support associated with the accurate filing and record management of matters in LEX (Legal Services' internal legal matter management system), TRIM Content Management System and Microsoft Teams such as data entry, printing, photocopying and scanning.
• Coordinate and triage requests received by central inboxes by answering queries, provide timely advice and undertake general follow up action as required, including correctly redirecting incoming requests and queries.
• Assist solicitors and paralegals in the management of advice and litigation, including:
  1. Drafting and preparing precedent forms, documents, correspondence, and other material.
  2. Preparing court books, briefs and Legal Services Orders.
  3. Supporting budget management and maintenance of matters.
  4. Providing in-person support at court hearings.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process. Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria | Jobs (www.dffh.vic.gov.au/jobs)