International Student Legal Service Practice Lead

International Student Legal Service Practice Lead 

 _____________________________________________________________________ 

Sydney based 

Permanent, full time with part time considered 

Supervision: Principal Solicitor 

Redfern Legal Centre  

Redfern Legal Centre is a non-profit community legal centre that promotes social justice and creates change.  We provide free legal advice, legal services and education to people experiencing disadvantage in New South Wales.  We drive innovation and change through policy and law reform work to address inequalities in the legal system, policies and social practices that cause disadvantage. 

We provide effective and integrated free legal services that are client focussed, collaborative, non-discriminatory and responsive to changing community needs – to our local community as well as state-wide.  Our specialist legal services focus on tenancy, credit, debt and consumer law, financial abuse, employment law, international students, First Nations justice, police accountability, and provide outreach services including through our health justice partnership.   

Position Overview 

The International Student Legal Service is a specialist legal practice that draws on extensive expertise to provide free, confidential and independent legal advice and assistance tailored to the distinct and evolving needs of international students enrolled to study in New South Wales. 

Common legal issues include housing and tenancy disputes; complaints and disputes with colleges, universities and education agents; fines and debts; consumer issues and car accidents; employment law; sexual assault; discrimination; family law and domestic violence; and minor criminal matters. 

The Practice Lead provides legal advice and casework directly and works with pro bono firms and other partners to expand the service’s capacity and provide specialist assistance where needed. 

The role involves a high degree of autonomy and responsibility for leading the practice, maintaining high-quality service delivery and identifying emerging legal issues affecting international students across NSW. 

The Practice Lead will build strong relationships with universities, education providers, student organisations, government agencies, community organisations and other stakeholders involved in supporting international students. The role includes opportunities to drive policy and law reform to effect systemic change, and to deliver community legal education and develop accessible resources that build international students’ knowledge of their rights and pathways to help. 

Position Responsibilities  

• Deliver expert legal advice to international students across a broad range of issues, together with practical assistance such as drafting correspondence, applications and other documents to help clients advocate effectively for themselves. 

• Coordinate and supervise volunteer solicitors and work with pro bono firms to provide legal advice and assistance to international students, including managing relationships, induction, training and ongoing support. 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with universities, education providers, student organisations, government agencies, community organisations and other stakeholders to identify emerging legal issues, strengthen referral pathways and improve access to legal assistance for international students. 
• Conduct community legal education and create factsheets for clients. 
• Develop and drive policy and law reform on systemic issues identified from casework.  
• Contribute to Redfern Legal Centre through attendance at staff meetings, contribution to board and funding reports, assistance with intake including intake supervision shifts, and contribution to the effective implementation of our Reconciliation Action Plan. 

Selection Criteria

Qualified to practice as a solicitor in NSW, holds or is eligible to hold a current practicing certificate and at least 4 years post-admission experience in relevant areas of law.  Demonstrated ability to take initiative, accept responsibility, and work with limited supervision providing advice and legal assistance in relation to a broad range of legal matters.  

Capacity to supervise volunteer solicitors and the volunteer solicitor program including stakeholder engagement with pro bono coordinators, recruitment and induction, supervision and risk management. 

Demonstrated ability to work with people experiencing disadvantage, particularly people from non-English speaking backgrounds.  Capacity to develop strong relationships with stakeholders, conduct community legal education, policy and law reform work including identifying systemic issues and drafting or contributing to policy and law reform submissions. 

 Commitment to the objectives of Community Legal Centres. 

Demonstrated knowledge of the issues facing international students in New South Wales through lived experience as an international student, work with international students or migrant communities or other relevant experience. 

Conditions 

Salary and benefits: $119,466.06  –  $144,878.26  (pro rata for part time) depending on qualifications and experience.  

Superannuation and annual leave loading are paid in addition to this and salary packaging is available. 

Redfern Legal Centre offers a 35-hour working week, time in lieu options, generous leave provisions including cultural leave and a paid end of year closure of two weeks (including public holidays) on top of four weeks annual leave.  We prioritise staff wellbeing through reflective practice sessions, a generous training and professional development budget and flexible working conditions. Redfern Legal Centre offers staff generous salary packaging options which increase take home salary.  

Applications 

Applications close: Monday 2 November at 9am.  

Redfern Legal Centre is a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations applicants, people from diverse cultural backgrounds and people with disability. 

Your application should be no more than six pages long and should include a cover letter, your resume and must include responses to the selection criteria.  Please lodge your application in the link provided.

Inquiries should be directed to Alexis Goodstone: alexis@rlc.org.au.