Program Manager, Child Support Legal Service

Victoria Legal Aid; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 131,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Generous leave benefits

Salary packaging up to $15,900

Annual pay increases

Professional development

Job summary

Victoria Legal Aid is seeking a Program Manager for the Child Support Legal Service in Melbourne. The role will lead a specialist program that ensures children receive financial support through legal advice and representation for payees and payers, aligned with VLA guidelines.

The position oversees a small team of lawyers, promotes cross-practice capability, and supports delivery across Victoria with a flexible hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of child support matters and family law across jurisdictions.
• Proven leadership, team development and coaching experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills across levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Child Support Program across Victoria.
• Manage a small team of lawyers based in Melbourne and build capability.
• Oversee legal services for clients with child support and related family matters.

Skills

Child support law

Family law

Leadership

Education

Victoria practising certificate

Job description

Program Manager, Child Support Legal Service

• Salary range: $131,154 - $155,000 plus super
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging, flexible hybrid work arrangement

About the role The Child Support Program is a specialist team that works to ensure children of separated parents are financially supported in accordance with the law. The Program does this by providing legal advice and representation to payee and payer parents in accordance with VLA's guidelines.

This role will lead and develop Victoria Legal Aid's (VLA) Child Support Program throughout Victoria by effectively designing and overseeing legal services for clients with child support and other family law financial matters. The role will manage a small team of lawyers based in Melbourne and build capability among lawyers across Victoria, including at private panel practitioners and community legal centres.

This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country.

About you

• Extensive knowledge and experience in child support matters and demonstrated legal practice experience in family law in both State and Commonwealth jurisdictions
• Demonstrated people management and leadership capabilities including proven experience in developing, managing and motivating a team and fostering a cooperative and supportive team environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to use those skills to influence and negotiate with people across all levels.
• A current unrestricted Australian practising certificate which entitles you to practise in Victoria as a government legal practitioner.
• Entitlement to practise in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court's Register of Practitioners).

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 flexibleworking arrangements
• Hybridwork fromhome& 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
• Discounted annualMyki public transport passes
• Individual learning and professional development opportunities, tailored to your role and career goals
• Free annual flu vaccinations
• Access to gym and end-of-trip facilities at our CBD office
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program, including confidential counselling and access to a range of mental health and wellbeing resources.

Applications close

Applications close by 11.59pm on Monday 26 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.

VLA is committed to putting the safety and wellbeing of children first.

No agency applications will be accepted

No agency applications will be accepted.