Our volunteers
We gratefully utilise the commitment and skills of volunteers to extend and enhance our operations and service delivery.
Our volunteers enable the Centre to offer free legal advice sessions each week, including day-time and after-hours advice in four locations – Bentleigh, Cranbourne, Frankston, and Rosebud. Not only do volunteers strengthen our capacity to provide fast, accessible advice to clients, volunteers are also involved in governing the organisation (through the Management Committee), providing administrative support and assisting with special projects.
At our volunteer advice sessions, qualified lawyer volunteers provide clients with free legal advice. Paralegal (non-lawyer) volunteers co-ordinate the session, conduct a preliminary client interview and provide assistance to lawyer volunteers, such as resource and referral information and administrative support. Paralegal volunteers may also observe lawyer-client interviews to gain an understanding of legal issues and the advice required.
All volunteers are required to provide personal information and sign a Privacy and Confidentiality Undertaking. Volunteers that do not hold a current practising certificate are required to supply us with a signed Consent to Check and Release Police Record, the cost of which is borne by us.
It is compulsory for all paralegal (non-lawyer) volunteers to undertake training before commencing. Training sessions are usually held once each year. An induction for volunteer lawyers is offered prior to commencing.
Applicants should be 18 years of age or over, and priority will be given to applicants who live in our catchment region and/or provide the skills and experience which we and our client communities need.
Please note that, due to a high volume of volunteer applications and low number of vacancies, we are not currently accepting volunteer applications from people outside of our general catchment area (municipalities of Glen Eira, Kingston, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula, Casey and Cardinia). The expected waiting time for new applicants is around 6 months. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee that all applicants will be offered a volunteer position.
To register your interest in volunteering please complete and return the application form.
