Renter Rights Service Advocate

Barwon Community Legal Service; Geelong; Hybrid; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Above-award salary + 3%

Salary packaging

Five weeks leave

Leave loading

Extra leave days

Hybrid working

Professional development

Supportive team culture

Fair housing outcomes

Job summary

Barwon Community Legal Service - Belmont VIC, is seeking a Renter Rights Service Advocate to deliver tenancy information, advocacy and support across the Barwon region. You will assist renters with disputes, housing insecurity and navigating processes like RDRV and VCAT, while building strong links with local services.

The role rewards a trauma-informed, culturally safe approach and requires experience in client-centered service, knowledge of tenancy law, and the ability to manage a varied

Qualifications

• Experience delivering client-focused services.
• Qualifications or experience in law, housing, social work, dispute resolution or related field.
• Strong communication, advocacy and negotiation skills.
• Ability to explain complex information practically.
• Experience managing a varied caseload.
• Commitment to inclusive, culturally safe and trauma-informed practice.
• Knowledge of tenancy law or ability to develop expertise.

Responsibilities

• Provide tailored tenancy information, advocacy and support to renters.
• Navigate tenancy disputes, rental concerns and housing insecurity.
• Negotiate with rental providers, real estate agents and stakeholders.
• Support clients through RDRV and VCAT processes.
• Build relationships with local services and statewide program partners.
• Maintain accurate client records and contribute to reporting requirements.
• Deliver services in a client-centred, trauma-informed and culturally safe manner.

Skills

Client-focused service

Advocacy

Negotiation

Communication

Dispute resolution

Tenancy law

Education

Law or housing related qualification

Job description

Barwon Community Legal Service - Belmont VIC

At Barwon Community Legal Service, we believe everyone deserves access to justice and safe, secure housing. Every day, our team works alongside people experiencing vulnerability, disadvantage and housing insecurity to help them navigate complex systems and achieve meaningful outcomes.

We're looking for a passionate and capable Renter Rights Service Advocate to join our growing team and help deliver the Victorian Renter Rights Program across the Barwon region. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on advocacy, enjoys problem-solving, and is committed to supporting renters to understand and exercise their rights.

About BCLS

Barwon Community Legal Service is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that has supported communities across the Barwon region since 1986. We provide legal information, advice, advocacy, referrals and community education, with a focus on people experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability.

About the role

The Renter Rights Service is part of Victoria's statewide Victorian Renter Rights Program, funded by the Department of Government Services. As the local partner for the Barwon region, BCLS provides information, advocacy, intake, referral and tenancy support services to renters experiencing a range of housing challenges.

As the Renter Rights Service Advocate, you will:

• Provide tailored tenancy information, advocacy and support to renters.
• Assist clients to navigate tenancy disputes, rental concerns and housing insecurity.
• Negotiate with rental providers, real estate agents and other stakeholders.
• Support clients through Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) and Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) processes.
• Build strong relationships with local services and statewide program partners.
• Maintain accurate client records and contribute to reporting requirements.
• Deliver services in a client-centred, trauma-informed and culturally safe manner.

About you

You are passionate about social justice and have experience supporting people through challenging circumstances.

You will bring:

• Experience in client-focused service delivery.
• Qualifications or experience in law, housing, social work, dispute resolution or a related field.
• Strong communication, advocacy and negotiation skills.
• The ability to explain complex information in a practical and accessible way.
• Experience managing competing priorities and a varied caseload.
• A commitment to inclusive, culturally safe and trauma-informed practice.
• Knowledge of tenancy law, particularly the Residential Tenancies Act, or the ability to quickly develop this expertise.

Why join BCLS?

At BCLS, we understand that great outcomes for our community begin with investing in our people.

We offer:

• SCHADS Level 4-5 salary, dependent on experience, plus 3% above award.
• Salary packaging benefits.
• Five weeks' annual leave.
• Annual leave loading.
• Three additional leave days between Christmas and New Year.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Ongoing professional development and sector training.
• A supportive, values-driven team culture.
• Work that contributes to fairer housing outcomes in the local community.

Applications close: 6th November 2026

For more information, contact: **********@barwoncommunitylegal.org.au

Barwon Community Legal Service is committed to a diverse, inclusive and culturally safe workplace. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander