Our team

Justice Connect believes in a world where legal support is within everyone's reach. In the face of rising levels of unmet legal need, our 2028 strategy sees us put people first, innovating to build our communities' skills, knowledge, and confidence, and grow access to legal support.

Homeless Law is Justice Connect's specialist legal program for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. We run outreach legal clinics where pro bono lawyers, staff lawyers, and social workers work side by side to help people facing housing insecurity, family violence, overwhelming fines and debts, and other legal problems that come with not having a stable home. The paralegal is the person who keeps this service running smoothly — triaging enquiries, coordinating clinics, managing case files, and making sure every person who contacts us gets a professional, timely response.

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract with the possibility of extension subject to funding.

Our ideal candidate

You'll bring to the team experience in the following areas:

Experience in a comparable role, particularly providing high-quality administrative support in a fast-paced environment.
Experience working with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders, including help-seekers experiencing challenging circumstances and complex vulnerabilities.
High-quality interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and communicate with a range of internal and external stakeholders in a professional and respectful manner.
Excellent attention to detail with the ability to multi-task, prioritise competing demands, and meet deadlines under pressure.
Experience with the management, collection, analysis, and reporting of accurate and current data.
Confidence using organisational software applications and technology.

Expertise that would be a bonus:

Currently completing a Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor, or other legal qualification.
Experience working or volunteering in the legal assistance sector.
Skills using CRM and case management platforms (Microsoft Dynamics 365 preferred).

Candidates will need to demonstrate commitment to Justice Connect's vision, strategy and values.

What you will achieve in the role

In this role, you'll work to:

Provide strong administrative support to pro bono lawyers, staff lawyers, and social workers with a focus on the operation of Justice Connect's case management platform, Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Ensure professional and timely communication by phone and email to Homeless Law's help-seekers as well as pro bono lawyers, caseworkers, and other key stakeholders.
Play an active role in the provision of timely and professional services, so that access to the justice system is improved through pro bono legal assistance for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Effectively and efficiently coordinate clinic bookings for Homeless Law's outreach legal clinics.
Ensure the maintenance of accurate records and files, including gathering information about clients' legal matters, conflict checking, recording file notes, and the collation, analysis, and reporting of Homeless Law's service delivery data.

A week in this role

If you were here last week, you would have:

Spoken to multiple help-seekers and their caseworkers via phone and email and conducted intake for their legal issues.
Attended a daily triage meeting with other legal administrators, lawyers, and student volunteers to identify legal issues and ensure clients can get legal assistance through one of our pro bono legal clinics.
Ensured accurate data entry across Homeless Law's service, including by supporting Homeless Law's volunteers to create and populate legal files.
Attended an internal meeting about the connection between our integrated legal and social work service delivery, digital innovation, law reform, and advocacy work.
Attended a weekly social catch-up with the team online.

What we offer

We're committed to creating an environment where people thrive. Our benefits include:

A flexible hybrid working model (minimum 40% in-office across the month)
Salary packaging to make part of your income tax-free
Ongoing learning and development opportunities: face-to-face, online, and on demand
5 weeks annual leave (pro rata), leave loading
Gifted leave between Christmas and New Year over the end-of-year closure period
15 days paid personal leave per calendar year (pro rata)
10 days paid study leave per calendar year (pro rata)
5 days paid, and 5 days unpaid cultural leave per calendar year (pro rata)
Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support for you and your immediate family
Free flu vaccinations
An inclusive and diverse culture that values continuous improvement, innovation, and sustainability

Salary

$75,109.65 per annum + superannuation + 17.5% annual leave loading

As a not-for-profit, Justice Connect is able to offer salary packaging, which allows you to enjoy part of your salary tax-free, increasing your take-home pay.

Up to $15,900 per year on everyday living costs, including rent, mortgage, groceries, bills and personal loan repayments
Up to $2,650 per year on meals and entertainment

How to apply

Please upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your skills and experience that will help you achieve success in this role.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Important role information

Reports to: Homeless Law - Lawyer / Senior Lawyer
Collaborates with: Homeless Law staff, including paralegals, social workers, and lawyers
Location: Level 5, 446 Collins Street, Melbourne (40% time in the office across the month)
Employment type: 12-month fixed-term contract (possibility of extension subject to funding)
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week (1 FTE)

Paralegal, Homeless LawHybrid