About Us
Women’s Legal Service Tasmania (WLST) and Tasmania Legal Aid (TLA) have collaborated to offer Tasmania’s first Health Justice Partnership – Just Healthy Families (JHF). Both WLST and TLA run programs with a family violence focus, with WLST also being able to provide integrated social supports to clients experiencing family violence through financial counselling and social work. You can read more about each organisations approach to community legal assistance through their strategic plans found on their websites.
JHF partners with Child and Family Learning Centres (Department of Children, Education and Young People), Child Health and Parenting Centres (Department of Health), Hobart Women’s Shelter, and other service providers such as community services, general practitioners and other allied health professionals. More information about how Health Justice Partnerships operate can be found through the Health Justice Australia website.
The JHF program provides assistance across a range of legal areas including family law, child protection, family violence, housing, debt, and victims of crime compensation and aims to reduce the impact of family violence on all Tasmanians. We offer a unique and holistic service response to clients across the state with the goal of improving the safety and wellbeing of Tasmanian families and achieving gender equity. Our solicitors specialise in family violence and trauma informed practice.
Outside of JHF, WLST provides a statewide community legal service for women in Tasmania, providing legal advice and information about legal and non-legal options through a dedicated telephone advice line, as well as face to face appointments, community legal education, outreach, drafting of law reform submissions and referrals to appropriate support services. Our clients are also supported by in-house financial counselling and social work services. WLST operates from three offices in Hobart, Launceston, and Burnie.
WLST’s mission is to promote justice, equality, and safety for women, particularly those who are disadvantaged or facing discrimination. WLST also auspice a Working Women’s Centre.
WLST is committed to protecting children, young people and other vulnerable people from harm and will require completion of screening checks prior to finalising employment.
What We Offer
Competitive Remuneration: SCHADS Award Level 6, ranging from $106,387 to $110,090 per annum plus superannuation,
Extra Leave: Enjoy an additional week of annual leave to support your wellbeing, with 17.5% leave loading.
Parental Leave: 12 weeks of paid parental leave (pro rata) for employees with a minimum of 12 months’ service.
Salary Packaging: Generous not-for-profit salary packaging and a Meal & Entertainment Card up to $18,530 through Eziway, increasing your disposable income.
Wellbeing Support: Employee health and wellbeing support, flexible working practices, and bi-monthly professional supervision/counselling sessions through Relationships Australia.
Professional Development: Opportunities for conferences, events, and a dedicated training budget for your professional growth.
Resources and Memberships: Membership to selected professional organisations and access to dedicated legal resources.
About the Role
Under the supervision of the WLST Assistant Principal Solicitor or Principal Solicitor, the Solicitor will provide a high level of supportive, plain language legal advice, information, referral and secondary consultation services to women who access JHF through one of our partner locations. Where appropriate, the provision of face-to-face advice, preparation of written documents and correspondence will be undertaken. A large percentage of clients seek assistance with matters relating to family law issues, however, queries can relate to any area of the law, and as such a commitment to professional development is important.
The provision of community legal education (CLE) workshops, drafting of law reform and lobbying submissions, along with organisational and administrative responsibilities are also a component of this position.
This role requires excellent communication and organisational skills and an ability to build close working relationships with a range of health and social service partners. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys a changing working environment, working out in the community and diversity in daily tasks.
This role is advertised as available based in either Launceston or Burnie, with the successful applicant providing services to our partner sites across both northern and north-western Tasmania.
How to Apply
To apply, please download a copy of the Just Healthy Families Solicitor Position Description (which includes the Selection Criteria to be addressed in an application). When you’re ready to apply, email through a current resume and a statement addressing the selection criteria to careers@womenslegaltas.org.au. Please note that applicants must address the selection criteria to be considered for the position.
If you have any queries about the position, please reach out to our friendly team via our careers email and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible (noting all our offices are closed from COB Tuesday 24th December, reopening Monday 6th January 2025).
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a difference – get in touch with us today!