Paralegal

Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS); Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15% superannuation contributions

Salary packaging up to $15,900 p.a.

4 weeks annual leave

EAP for wellbeing

Travel allowance

Uniforms provided

Job summary

Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS) in Cairns, QLD, seeks a Paralegal to support solicitors in family violence, family law, and child protection matters. You will assist with intake, drafting, and court filings while ensuring culturally safe communication for clients.

The role requires a Diploma of Paralegal Services or equivalent paralegal experience, a valid QLD driver’s licence, and a Working with Children Blue Card or eligibility. National Police check is required.

Qualifications

• Diploma of Paralegal Services or three years' paralegal experience.
• Open C Class Queensland Driver’s Licence.
• Working with Children Blue Card or willingness to obtain one.
• National Police Clearance Check.
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander employment is encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Assist Solicitors to deliver trauma-informed, culturally appropriate legal services.
• Prepare legal documents, letters, briefs, affidavits and reports.
• Attend court registry enquiries and filing.
• Complete initial client intake and file notes.
• Provide administrative support and Legal Aid applications.

Skills

Paralegal experience

Trauma-informed approach

Education

Diploma of Paralegal Services

Job description

Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS) – Cairns QLD

About Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service

Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS) is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander controlled, not-for-profit community legal practice that has been standing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for more than 15 years.

Established in 2009, with offices in eight regions across Queensland.

We specialise in supporting victims experiencing domestic and family violence and sexual assault by delivering a combination of:

• Legal advice, casework and representation in domestic and family violence, family law, child protection, victims’ assistance, and related areas.
• Court and tribunal advocacy.
• Wellbeing and case management support, helping clients access housing, safety planning, income support and community services.
• Community legal education and prevention initiatives, working with schools, health services and local organisations to build safer futures.

To further strengthen our support services and respond to growing community needs, we are expanding with our dedicated Case Management Officers and Outreach Engagement Teams across Queensland. Enhancing our ability to provide holistic, wrap‑around, culturally safe support by reaching more clients in regional and remote areas—ensuring no one is left behind.

Our team is committed to delivering culturally safe, holistic support to our clients.

For more information, please visit our website Home - QIFVLS

Please note, that to perform this role, it is essential that the person who holds the position be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld).

Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service benefits are thoughtfully designed to support your wellbeing, empower your work-life balance, and provide meaningful opportunities for growth and development

15% superannuation contributions

Salary packaging options of up to $15,900 per annum (non-taxable fringe benefits)

Annual Christmas closure – including 5 paid gifted days from the Board of Directors (Upon successful completion of the probation period)

Paid Birthday Day Off – our gift to you

Q Leave – portal long service leave

Monthly professional supervision

Travel allowance

4 weeks annual leave

17.5% leave loading

Bi-annual team building lunches

Ongoing professional development opportunities, including internal training, external workshops, and conferences

Opportunities to attend and engage in community events throughout the year

Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support your wellbeing

Opportunities to travel to community

Working with Children (Blue Card) reimbursement

National Police Check reimbursement

Uniforms provided

About the role

Our Paralegals work closely with the Legal team and other key staff to assist and deliver in the provision of high-quality legal support services and administrative support that includes legal information and support in the areas of Family Violence, Family Law, Child Protection and Victims of Crime Assistance matters.

Responsibilities

Work with the Solicitors to provide a trauma informed and culturally appropriate legal service and to help clients understand and navigate the family law system, domestic and family violence system, child protection system or victim assistance application process.

Prepare correspondence and other legal documents as required by the legal team, including but not limited to drafting letters, briefs to counsel, affidavits, reports, presentations and other written documentation.

Inspect and view relevant subpoena material.

Attend to Court registry enquiries and filing.

Complete initial client intake when required by the Solicitor.

Complete file notes of all client attendances.

Where required and in the absence of the Family Advocacy Support worker, assist the Solicitor(s) in client interviews by taking file notes and by ensuring that legal advice is interpreted in a way that the client understands by clarifying legal jargon in a tactful, sensitive and culturally appropriate manner.

Where required and in the absence of the Family Advocacy Support worker, attend court to support the Solicitors to deliver quality legal services as well as completing file notes of all court appearances as required and directed by the Solicitor.

Where required and in the absence of the Family Advocacy Support worker, possible travel to support the delivery of outreach legal services to remote communities including supporting solicitors attending at circuit courts, in consultation with the PL [ subject to the need of the office]

Generate copies of relevant documents / letters provided by clients and attach to file as requested by the Solicitors. Return all original documents to the client.

Assist clients complete Legal Aid applications and lodge electronically.

Review, implement and maintain effective record keeping practices and filing systems as directed by the PL. This includes maintaining client files and ensuring that all documentation is complete and complies with all internal and external procedures and requirements.

Complete administration and file management duties to support the Solicitors to enable them to focus on delivering quality legal services, representation, advice and casework.

Provide generic administrative assistance and support to solicitors, as required.

Assist in legal research projects as directed.

Conduct legal and factual research on relevant laws, regulations and legal articles.

Manage and maintain client and stakeholder databases in consultation with the Family Advocacy Support Worker

Where required and in the absence of the Family Advocacy Support worker, make appropriate client referrals to other agencies.

Perform other reasonable duties which might be determined by the Executive Director (Legal), the Director of Legal Practice or the Chief Executive Officer.

Selection Criteria and Qualifications

Hold a Diploma of Paralegal Services or have three years' experience in a paralegal position.

Hold a current Open C Class Queensland Driver’s Licence.

Hold a current Working with Children Blue Card or be eligible and willing to obtain a Working with Children Blue Card.

Be willing to undertake a National Police Clearance Check.

QIFVLS supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and encourages applications from qualified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.