The Community Lawyer/Advocates will work within PCLC's newly funded Renters Rights Service assisting vulnerable and disadvantaged renters to identify and resolve their tenancy issues through the delivery of high- quality advice, triage, casework and advocacy services.
The Community Lawyers/Advocates will provide representation services as well as some duty lawyer/advocacy services at the Frankston/Oakleigh registries of the Residential Tenancies List of the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal.
The Community Lawyers/Advocates also contribute to other aspects of the Renters Rights service such as community engagement, visiting services, identification of systemic issues, networking, reporting and administration.
Key Focus Areas
- Deliver high quality tenancy legal advice, casework, advocacy and representation services.
- Provide representation and duty lawyer services at the Residential Tenancies List of VCAT.
- Undertake case management, file review, reporting and administrative requirements.
- Contribute to stakeholder engagement, referral pathways and sector collaboration.
- Participate in outreach, community engagement and community legal education activities.
- Identify systemic issues and contribute to advocacy and law reform activities.
- Maintain compliance with legislative, professional and organisational requirements.
Organisational Context
Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC) is one of 49 community legal centres in Victoria. It operates across six local government area in the south east of Melbourne – Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Glen Eira, Kingston and Mornington Peninsula. PCLC is headquartered in Frankston and has branch offices in Bentleigh, Cranbourne and Rosebud.
PCLC works to empower and support disadvantaged community members of the South Eastern and Westernport region to use the law and legal system to protect and advance their rights and broaden their awareness of their responsibilities. PCLC offers general legal advice and casework services, specialist family law, tenancy, family violence, rooming house and social work programs, and is active in community legal education and law reform work.
Key Selection Criteria
- Possess, or is eligible to possess, a current practicing certificate with one year post admission practice and/or tertiary qualifications in a relevant field such as law, housing, community services, community development or social work
- Highly developed advocacy skills
- Demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to social justice principles, understanding of the legal assistance sector and a commitment to PCLC ‘s vision and values.
- Experience in, or demonstrated capacity to undertake, direct legal service delivery, including provision of information, advice and referral services, negotiation and advocacy on behalf of clients, representation of clients in courts and other legal settings.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrated knowledge of the law and legal system, relevant legislation and procedures and relevant current issues relating to residential tenancies.
- Experience in or demonstrated understanding of the housing and the homelessness sectors.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Well-developed organisational skills and ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Competency in using word processing and electronic communication programs.
- Holds a current Victorian Driver’s Licence and has access to a reliable and comprehensively insured vehicle.
Other Requirements
- You will be required to travel to PCLC branches, PCLC service locations and Courts and Tribunals. Access to a reliable and comprehensively insured motor vehicle is a requirement.
- Ensure compliance with all Privacy Legislation and treat all information of a personal and sensitive nature concerning the business of PCLC and its clients, in a professional and confidential manner in accordance with PCLC’s information and records management procedures.
- Ensure that all PCLC policies, procedures, systems and work practices are implemented and adhered to, in particular, in human resource management, risk management and customer service.
- Act in a professional manner at all times while performing duties for and/or representing PCLC in line with the Staff Code of Conduct.
Applications, including CV, covering letter addressing the key selection criteria lodged through our jobs portal. Applications close 5pm 23 September 2026
For more information please contact the CEO on 9783 3600 or jgalloway@pclc.org.au
