Careers at the Legal Services Commission

Click here for Current Vacancies

A career with the Legal Services Commission in South Australia gives you an opportunity to play a role in providing the community with access to quality legal services.

The Commission provides legal representation in criminal and family law matters, free legal advice and minor assistance on all areas of law at all offices and through the Telephone Legal Help Line.

The Legal Services Commission offers attractive employment conditions including salary packaging, flexible working arrangements within a range of family friendly policies and opportunities for professional development.

Our people are valued and respected. We encourage and recognise individual and team effort, innovation and creativity in our activities. The Legal Services Commission has over 200 staff spread throughout the state with offices in the Adelaide, Whyalla, Port Augusta, Elizabeth, Holden Hill, Mount Barker, Port Adelaide and Noarlunga.

Most positions are for lawyers and paralegals but we also employ a full range of administrative personnel. The majority of employees are located in our Adelaide office with opportunities to work in areas such as our criminal, family, child support and advice sections.

Legal positions at the Commission are advertised in the “The Advertiser” newspaper or recruited through the SA Public Sector  Notice of Vacancies.

Legal aid lawyers require a comprehensive knowledge of the law, excellent communication skills and an ability to deal with people from diverse backgrounds. Duty Solicitor positions in the Criminal Law Section are usually advertised in November each year for 12 month contracts. Positions in the Family Law Section and Access Services (legal advice and education) are advertised when vacancies arise. Applications for positions are very competitive, usually with large numbers of applicants for entry level positions.

We prefer applicants with relevant work experience and we recommend volunteer work (especially at a community legal centre or at JusticeNet SA) to gain relevant experience and increase employability. The Commission does not normally accept volunteers but Practical Legal Training placements can be arranged through the Law Society of South Australia.

Special Recruitment Programs

In addition, entry into South Australian Public Sector may be gained through specific recruitment programs for people with disabilities and indigenous persons.

The Strategy for the Employment of People with Disabilities in the South Australian Public Sector aims to identify and place eligible people with a permanent disability, who are considered to have an employment restriction due to their disability, in South Australian public sector agencies, including Justice agencies. For inquiries, please contact the Disability Recruitment Coordination Service on
(08) 8326 6511 or the Office for the Commissioner for Public Employment on (08) 8226 2196.

If you are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person planning to study full-time next year, you have two other study/employment options. You may apply for a cadetship on the National Indigenous Cadetship Program and get a study allowance (depending on your year of study) of up to $14,000 while studying. Cadets also get paid work experience during the long vacation breaks and the opportunity to get a job when you finish your studies. On successful completion of your degree and work experience, you can expect an offer of a temporary position (up to 12 months) in your sponsor Government department, related to your professional qualifications. For more information or to apply, contact the Indigenous Employment Program.

The State Public Sector Aboriginal Recruitment and Career Development Strategy offers opportunities for training and employment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Office of Employment and Youth has established and manages an Aboriginal Employment Register to identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who can be considered for vacancies in the SA Public Sector. To seek more information about the Strategy, or to register for one of its programs, please contact: Indigenous and Youth Initiatives Unit, Office of Employment and Youth, Department of Education, Training and Employment, 11th floor, 100 Waymouth Street, ADELAIDE Telephone: (08) 8463 5514

To discuss Indigenous Cadetship opportunities at the Legal Services Commission, telephone Liz Ahern, (08) 8463 3570.

back to top




Link to sa.gov.au - find what you're looking for

© Legal Services Commission 2013 - All Rights Reserved
Funded with the support of the Governments of Australia and South Australia Website by CeCC