Principal Solicitor

Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative; Mooroopna; On-site; AUD 99,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

SCHADS Level 7 pay

Relocation assistance

Professional development

Employment Assistance Program

Laptop and mobile phone

Fleet cars

Job summary

Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative is seeking a Principal Solicitor to join the Senior Leadership Team. You will guide legal support for Aboriginal children and families within the Child Protection framework and lead complex court matters in a culturally grounded setting.

The role requires an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidate with a current practising certificate and expertise in administrative law and Child Protection matters.

Qualifications

• Must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• Current practising certificate under the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014.
• Strong understanding of Aboriginal history and its impact on families.
• Experience in administrative law and/or litigation with strong statutory interpretation skills.
• Experience with the Children Youth and Families Act (2005) and child protection matters.
• Organised file preparation and sensitive legal proceedings documentation.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on Galnya Yarka and CBP functions under the Children’s Youth and Families Act.
• Represent Community Protecting Boorai’s and Galnya Yarka in Children’s Court matters.
• Review new legislation and advise on program needs and changes.
• Support and train Managers and Practitioners; contribute to court readiness.
• Build strong relationships with Marram‑Ngala Ganbu and Shepparton Children’s Court.

Skills

Aboriginal status

Practising certificate

Aboriginal history

Administrative law

Child Protection Act experience

Document management

Job description

Full time

3d ago , from Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative

Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative – Family, Care and Early Years now has the following vacancy:

Full-time, 38 hours a week

This is an Aboriginal Designated Position, classified under 'special measures' of Section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

About the Role

As the Principal Solicitor you will be a member of the Senior Leadership Team and work aside programs who support Aboriginal children and families who are involved in the Child Protection system. A brief overview follows:

Galnya Yarka (ACAC Section 18): Rumbalara hold the responsibility of Case Management of Boorai’s on Child Protection Orders. Galnya Yarka practice in a way that is grounded in culture, acknowledging that culture is strength and culture is safety. Galnya Yarka work with Boorai’s on Children’s Court Orders with the intent to make decisions that ultimately lead to no further contact within the Child Protection System.

Community Protecting Boorai’s (CBP): Rumbalara hold the responsibility of what is currently known as ‘Investigation’. CBP provides direct responsibility of the investigations of Aboriginal children (Boorai’s) who may be at risk, provide a response that is grounded in culture. The intention of CBP is to use the earliest point of intervention possible with the aim to reduce placing an Aboriginal child (Boorai’s) in care or the need for court orders unless it is necessary.

The Principal Solicitor will provide Galnya Yarka and Community Protecting Boorai’s expert legal advice in relation to functions and powers of the Children’s Youth and Families Act. The Principal Solicitor will also represent Community Protecting Boorai’s and Galnya Yarka appearing in Children Court Matters, representing Rumbalara who are the Delegate of The Department of Families Fairness and Housing Secretary, performing duties once performed by Child Protection.

In addition, the Principal Solicitor will be responsible for reviewing new legislation and considering the impact and addressing program needs ensuring Managers and Practitioners are continually acting in line with any changes of legislation. The Principal Solicitor alongside the Practice Leader will continue to provide program support, training and reflective yarns growing the programs capacity in confidence and preparation forChildren’s Court. Specific to this role in Goulburn, majority of the court appearances appear before ‘Marram‑Ngala Ganbu’ of the Shepparton Children’s Court. Building a strong relationship within this court will be paramount.

About You

To be successful for this position, you should possess the following qualifications and qualities:

• You are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• The successful candidate must hold (or be eligible to hold) a current practising certificate under the Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014.
• Good understanding of Aboriginal history and past practices that have impacted on Aboriginal families.
• Experience in administrative law and/or litigation, and strong statutory interpretation skills, are required.
• Experience in Children Youth and Families Act (2005) and specifically Child Protection Matters
• Organised file preparation and document keeping in relation to sensitive legal proceedings.

What We Offer:

• Salary packaging of $15,900 available for Part- or Full-time employees.
• Competitive pay and conditions based on the SCHADS Award – Level 7 (Above Award Rate $72-$84 per hour, based of qualification and experience).
• Opportunities for additional incentives, which may include Christmas bonus days, recognition of NAIDOC Day, annual CPI-based Award wage increases where applicable, and relocation assistance where applicable.
• Professional development opportunities and support to help you grow in your career.
• Access to a free and confidential Employment Assistance Program and more.
• Provision of a laptop and mobile phone to support your work where applicable.
• Fleet cars to carry out daily tasks where applicable.

You will be required to undertake a pre-employment screening check, including providing a copy of your Confirmation of Aboriginality.

Applications close: Tuesday 1st of December 2026

This is an “Indigenous Only” role under Special Measures of the EEO Act 2010, Section 12.