Working in Community Legal Centres in Victoria: Building and maintaining a sustainable workforce

The commitment of Survey respondents to their community legal centre was high, with 91.3 per cent proud to tell others where they worked.

‍

While student, volunteer, board member and many employee roles were relatively easy to fill, lawyer and principal lawyer roles were harder. Turnover varied, with lawyer positions, followed by paralegal, social worker, reception, and policy positions, having quicker turnover.

Funding constraints, and an inability to offer permanent, full-time positions, were seen as barriers to both successful recruitment and long-term employee retention. Retention was also related to workplace culture, values and stage of career. Recruiting those from particular cultural backgrounds, and in some locations, was more challenging.

Respondents joined their current community legal centre from a variety of places. The most common reason for joining was to help those facing disadvantage. Other common reasons included wanting to make justice more accessible and equitable, to have a positive impact, and to work with others who had shared values and purpose.

On average, respondents had been employed or volunteered at community legal centres for more than six years. More than 40 per cent had worked for two or more centres. Respondents’ plans to continue working at their current centre were related to whether their contract was ongoing, fixed-term or casual. Two thirds thought there were opportunities to build a career, however some reported low pay, job insecurity and limited funding as constraints on career development.

More than one-third of respondents were thinking of leaving their current centre. Half of these were actively looking for other work, although many were considering moving to another community legal centre. The most common reason for seeking new employment was career advancement, followed by dissatisfaction with low pay and job insecurity.

The findings demonstrate that the community legal centre workforce is passionate and dedicated. It is committed to improving the lives of the most marginalised members of the community. They provide assistance that is focused and tailored to the needs of the communities they serve. To continue to do this, however, requires more than passion and commitment. To be resilient and sustainable, community legal centres need recognition, respect and funding in line with their critical contribution.

‍