Program Manager, Child Support Legal Service

Victorian Government; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 131,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging up to $15,900

Hybrid work arrangement

Generous leave benefits

Annual salary increase

Job summary

Victoria Legal Aid in Melbourne is seeking a leader for its Child Support Program to oversee legal services and a small Melbourne-based team. You will design service delivery for child support and family law financial matters, and coordinate with private practitioners and community centres.

The role requires extensive child support expertise, strong leadership and outstanding communication, with a flexible hybrid work arrangement and proximity to the Melbourne CBD office.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge and experience in child support matters in family law.
• Proven leadership of a small legal team across Victoria.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills with stakeholders at all levels.
• Current unrestricted Australian practising certificate for Victoria.
• Eligibility to practise in federal courts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop Victoria Legal Aid's Child Support Program across Victoria.
• Oversee design and delivery of legal services for child support and related family law matters.
• Manage a Melbourne-based team and coordinate with private panel practitioners and community legal centres.
• Foster capability-building among lawyers across Victoria.
• Conduct outreach to ensure access to services.

Skills

Child support expertise

People leadership

Interpersonal communication

Practising certificate

Federal court eligibility

Education

Law degree

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/VLA/FYCL/1951256

Lead and develop VLA’s Child Support Program and manage a small team of lawyers delivering legal advice and casework based in Melbourne and conducting outreach across Victoria.

• Full time ongoing position
• 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

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• 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).

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 annual Myki 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 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.

For further information, please review the attached position description or contact Sophie Meehan, Associate Director – Family Law on [phone] or [e-mail] .

Applications close Monday 26 October 2026 at 11.59pm