Job Description

Legal Officer Grade I-III - Criminal Law Division

• Legal Officer Grade I-III - $90,692- $134,458 (plus super & leave loading)
• Statewide Talent Pool for future Ongoing/ Temp vacancies (full time and part time)

About us

Legal Aid NSW helps people with their legal problems. We can help people with most criminal law, family law and every day civil law legal issues. We give legal advice, help at court and do family dispute resolution.

About the role

We are looking for lawyers who will provide legal advice and representation to clients of Legal Aid NSW, including minor assistance and casework service, in accordance with Legal Aid NSW policies and guidelines in order to contribute to the implementation of Legal Aid NSW’s mission to deliver high quality legal services to our clients and to assist them to resolve their legal problems.

About you

You are a dedicated legal professional committed to providing high-quality legal advice and representation. You excel in delivering efficient legal services and utilising electronic case management systems.

Your strong communication skills enable you to effectively represent a diverse range of clients. You are proactive in contributing to policy development and community education, and you stay updated on legal developments.

We will create a talent pool from this recruitment to fill ongoing or temporary vacancies over the next 18 months. Those vacancies may arise in any of our Legal Aid offices across Sydney and Regional NSW.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW!

We are committed to diversity and inclusion:

We are committed to creating a culturally safe and genuinely inclusive organisation and workplace for everyone who works and interacts with us. We strive to be a place where people from diverse backgrounds want to work, where voices and cultures are valued and where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard.

We want a workforce that reflects our clients, so we can deliver a service that meets the needs of the community. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTQI+ community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities.

We acknowledge, support and accommodate the diverse access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities. If you need an adjustment to participate in the recruitment process, or you’d like information about what we can do to help you, please contact our team at erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.

Other benefits of working with us

• Flexible Working - we are a Flex Ready certified and Carers and Employers accredited organisation. We are leading the way in offering a variety of flexible working options to uniquely support your unique work life balance.
• Professional Growth – as the largest law firm in NSW we offer a variety of opportunities to enhance your career at every stage, through regional graduate programs, Practical Legal Training and work placements, mentoring, training, and secondment opportunities.
• Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing – with dedicated programs, training, resources, and respectful work practices, our Wellbeing Framework ensures your physical, mental and psychosocial wellbeing matters, so you feel supported, safe and holistically well.

The essential requirements for this role:

You must:

• be admitted or be eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW
• be able to provide a current NSW Practising Certificate before you start work with us
• be willing to do a Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check
• hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency (for ongoing vacancies) or a valid visa to work in Australia (for temporary vacancies)
• A current Driver Licence will be required for certain roles within the Criminal Law Division

Download the Role Description to explore the role in-depth.

How to apply

You MUST submit your application online. If you submit your application late or by email it will NOT be accepted.

Your application must include:

• your resume (no more than 5 pages)
• cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please respond to the below targeted questions

Targeted Question 1: What challenges do vulnerable members of our community experience in trying to navigate the criminal justice system?

Targeted Question 2: How would you, as a lawyer working at Legal Aid NSW, assist client to overcome those challenges? 

Make sure your application is complete, and you have answered all questions before you submit.

Closing Date: Monday 28th September 2026 at 11.59pm

We’re here to help

Legal Aid NSW is committed to a recruitment process that is inclusive and barrier free.

For accessibility support or recruitment adjustments, please contact the Senior Recruitment Officer Jayne Nguyen on erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au

For information on Recruitment and Workplace Adjustments, visit Adjustments for individual needs | I Work for NSW.

For more information about the recruitment process and working at Legal Aid NSW view our Candidate Information Pack.

For role specific and/or recruitment enquiries, contact the Talent Acquisition Team on 02 9134 9347 or via erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.

Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to connect with the Legal Aid NSW Aboriginal Services Branch for a yarn.

For guidance on preparing for interviews , explore the NSW Public Sector’s interactive Capability Application Tool.

Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

We look forward to receiving your application!