Paralegals – Internal Applicants Only

• Join the friendly team at one of Australia’s most successful Community Legal Centres

• Supportive culture with a strong focus on staff wellbeing

• Not for profit salary packaging and additional leave benefits

• Full-time contract to 30 June 2027

We are:

Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS), a nonprofit providing essential legal support and advocacy for people who have fled persecution to find safety in Australia. We help refugees, people seeking asylum, stateless individuals and those who are displaced. Our vision is of justice and dignity for and with refugees and since 1987, we’ve helped tens of thousands of people secure protection in Australia.

RACS provides free, dedicated legal services to people seeking asylum and refugees. Through individual advice sessions, community education and public advocacy, RACS strives to ensure that individuals and families, at risk of persecution or other forms of significant harm, gain access to equal and fair representation before the law, and are granted protection by Australia, and opportunities to seek family unity, in accordance with Australia’s international obligations.

The Role:

The primary role of the Paralegal is to provide paralegal and administrative support to the Solicitors at RACS.

This is a full-time fixed-term contract position to 30 June 2027 based in Randwick. Part-time will be considered. Travel throughout metropolitan Sydney and work at our weekly outreach in Auburn may be required from time to time.

You will:

• Manage referrals from caseworkers, other welfare agencies and directly from clients.

• Complete client intake and take instructions from clients as required.

• Liaise with clients and agencies to obtain all necessary documents and information to enable effective provision of legal advice and/or assistance.

• Provide scripted advice to clients.

• Prepare and review briefs, letters and documentation as instructed.

• Liaise with sector partners and other stakeholders.

• Undertake legal research and keep up to date with case law developments as requested.

• Manage a large volume of client data and documentation in line with legal requirements including file management

• Keep comprehensive records and tracking clients’ progress and time limits as arising.

You are:

An organised and compassionate current RACS PLT or volunteer looking for an opportunity to use your administration skills to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable people. The successful candidate will have the following:

Essential

• Demonstrated commitment to refugee and human rights issues

• Ability to work independently and in a legal team

• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders in a confident and a respectful manner

• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, manage time and priorities effectively and meet strict deadlines

• Ability to work with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

• Ability to work with vulnerable people who may have experienced torture or trauma

• Computer literacy and file management skills

Desirable

• Experience working with people seeking asylum, including those in detention

• Experience working in a Community Legal Centre and/or the ability to work in an environment with limited resources

• Demonstrated ability to use a client database – preferably Jira

• Communications skills in a language other than English will be considered highly favourably.

Salary

The remuneration for the position is at the SCHADS Award rate Level 3, plus superannuation contribution and loadings. Salary packaging is available to reduce your tax and increase your take-home pay.

To Apply:

Please submit your CV and expression of interest of no more than half a page detailing:

• Why you’re interested in being a Paralegal at RACS

• The areas of RACS you’re particularly passionate about

• The skills and experience you would bring to the role

Applications will close at 9am, Monday 17 August. Interviews will be held in the fortnight following with a view to commence as soon as practical. To find out more, contact Kirsty Wood on (02) 8317 6537.

Please note, recruitment may commence earlier, and we may make decisions prior to the application close date should we find appropriate candidates.

RACS is committed to working together to achieve a more inclusive community. Our workplace strives to be one that embraces and celebrates diversity and the wide range of skills, expertise and experience we can all bring to strengthen our dynamic, collaborative, and responsive environment. RACS encourages people from all backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, people that identify as LGBTQIA+ and people with disabilities.

RACS particularly welcomes applications from those with the lived experience of seeking asylum, including those on temporary visas with the relevant permission to work.