Work with us

Tenants Victoria is the state’s peak body for renters and the leading tenancy legal centre. Our focus is to help renters facing hardship and/or disadvantage. We work towards long-term change for the benefit of renters, while also advising individual renters on their rights.

Everyone at the organisation is driven by purpose and we are committed to making a real and measurable difference in the lives of Victorian renters.

Tenants Victoria is an inclusive employer and we strive to reflect the diversity of our community.

We welcome and encourage applications from skilled and compassionate people. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people with disability, sexually and gender diverse people and those of all ages.

At Tenants Victoria you will be working for an organisation that believes in you, and believes you can make a difference, no matter your role. We can offer:

• Salary packaging — up to $15,900 in tax-free pay each year
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Additional goodwill leave benefits
• Flexible work hours where possible
• Employee Assistance Program — a free and confidential counselling service

All candidates must have the right to work in Australia or New Zealand, as applicable. Australian applicants must undergo a Working with Children Check and Police Check.

Our staff roles are advertised on the Ethical Jobs website. Check current opportunities on our page on the website.

Make a difference by leading a team dedicated to improving the lives of renters and driving systemic social change in the housing sector. Design and implement groundbreaking initiatives that elevate the quality of services provided to clients, ensuring they receive the best possible support.

The ideal person for this role is a confident leader with a passion for social justice, a deep understanding of housing issues and with extensive experience of service delivery in social and community services, housing, community legal services, or the private sector.

For more information and to apply go to the advertisement on the Ethical Jobs website.

Are you looking to engage with one of the most pressing social change issues of our times – rental housing?

Tenants Victoria is on a mission to ensure safe, secure, and affordable homes for Victorian renters in a fair housing system. We need a dynamic and experienced Chair to lead the way. After eight years of dedicated board service, including six as Chair during a period of significant change, our current Chair is retiring.

We seek an experienced leader to guide the organisation in addressing the needs of renters in a housing system that requires major reform. As Chair, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our strategic direction and ensuring the ongoing success and sustainability of our organisation.

If you’re ready to be part of a team that’s making a real difference in the lives of Victorian renters, we invite you to apply. Please email chairperson@tenantsvic.org.au requesting the Board Chair candidate pack.

For more information about the role go to the advertisement on the Ethical Jobs website.

We are seeking two First Nations renter-focussed community members or workers to join the Tenants Victoria Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group in 2024.

What this will involve

• Face to face meeting in the Melbourne CBD 4 times a year with a small group of Tenants Victoria staff and a member of our Board. (Likely to be 5.15pm-7.15pm in March, June, September and November.)
• Reviewing papers and presentations on our reconciliation activities prior to the meetings.
• Payment of $400 per meeting attended (to cover travel, attendance and preparation time) paid via voucher (or invoice if you have an ABN).

About you

• You are a First Nations person living in Victoria who is a renter or rooming house or caravan park resident and have a strong interest in renter rights and experiences OR you are a worker in a community organisation with those interests and experiences.
• You have experience supporting organisations to implement Reconciliation Action Plans or similar activities to improve cultural awareness and solidarity with First Nations communities and organisations.

About us

• Tenants Victoria is the peak body for the state’s renters. Our vision is for a safe, secure and affordable home for Victorian renters in a fair housing system. Services to renters include information and self-help resources on our website, legal advice and representation, financial counselling, and outreach services.
• We also advise community workers who assist renters and increase their skills through training. We work in partnership with other community legal centres and housing sector organisations, and strategically with government to inform policy development and enhance service delivery. We advocate for practices and attitudes that respect renting and for policies and laws that support the rights of renters.
• Reconciliation Australia has recently approved our first Reconciliation Action Plan – in which we will undertake a range of activities to reflect on our current environment and improve our cultural awareness, respect and relationships. The plan is here.

If you are interested, please send a short email explaining why you would like to join our working group to: carman.parsons@tenantsvic.org.au

This is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identified Position, classified under ‘special measures’ of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

• Multiple volunteer positions available – 1-2 days a week
• Based in Melbourne’s CBD

About this role

The Tenants Victoria legal service assists renters living in private rental, public and community housing, and rooming houses and caravan park residents to maintain fair, secure, and dignified housing. We provide a rental law phone advice line, negotiation assistance, representation, and advocacy.

We currently have some law student placement vacancies. These are volunteer positions, available 1 to 2 days a week for a minimum of 12 months, with the opportunity for extension.

The main purpose of the role is to provide high-quality paralegal and administrative support to the legal services team, including providing casework support, drafting legal documents and letters, corresponding with clients, making referrals, preparing summaries, attending VCAT hearings, and more. In return, Tenants Victoria will provide you with real world training that allows you to put your legal knowledge into practice.

Our office is in Melbourne’s CBD and we have flexible working arrangements during COVID-19 restrictions.

About you

You are undertaking your law degree, and looking for practical experience within the community legal sector, where you can make a real difference to people’s lives. You are a driven, motivated self-starter who can work collaboratively, and autonomously, as needed. You have high attention to detail, are well-organised, and can prioritise tasks.

Key to your success are your:

• Sound interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a range of people, including those experiencing hardship or disadvantage
• Ability to work autonomously when required, and to complete tasks efficiently, on time and with attention to detail
• Demonstrated capacity to balance multiple, and at times competing, priorities in a high-pressure environment
• Commitment to social justice, and an understanding of the legal issues faced by renters
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and to foster a co-operative and supportive team environment
• Strong skills in the use of Microsoft Office Software relevant to a legal practice (particularly MS Word, Excel and Outlook), and the capacity to quickly acquire competency in the use of our client database

Required qualifications and experience

• You are studying for your law degree, or studies in a relevant field
• You must be willing to undertake a Police Check and a Working with Children Check prior to your placement with us

How to apply

Please submit your resume, statement of results, and a covering letter of no more than 2 pages responding to the following:

• Why you have chosen to apply for this role
• How you satisfy the key selection criteria

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so please submit your application via email as soon as possible. Please direct applications and any queries to Georga Wootton, Renter Support Service Manager, via email to georga.wootton@tenantsvic.org.au

• Multiple volunteer positions available – 2 days a week
• Practical Legal Training (PLT) within the community law sector
• Office in Melbourne’s CBD

About this role

The Tenants Victoria legal service assists renters living in private rental, public and community housing, and rooming houses and caravan park residents to maintain fair, secure, and dignified housing. We provide a rental law phone advice line, negotiation assistance, representation, and advocacy.

We currently have a number of PLT Paralegal vacancies open. These are volunteer positions, available 2 days a week for a minimum of 6 months (24 weeks), with the opportunity for extension.

The main purpose of the role is to provide high-quality paralegal and administrative support to the legal services team, including providing casework support, drafting legal documents and letters, corresponding with clients, making referrals, preparing summaries, attending VCAT hearings, and more. In return, Tenants Victoria will provide you with real world training that allows you to put your legal knowledge into practice.

Our office is in Melbourne’s CBD, and we have flexible working arrangements during COVID-19 restrictions.

About you

You have completed your law degree and are looking for practical experience within the community legal sector, where you can make a real difference to people’s lives. You are a driven, motivated self-starter who can work collaboratively, and autonomously, as needed. You have high attention to detail, are well-organised, and can prioritise tasks.

Key to your success are your:

• Sound interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with team members, external stakeholders and renters seeking legal assistance
• Ability to work autonomously when required, and to complete tasks efficiently, on time and with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated capacity to balance multiple, and at times competing, priorities in a high-pressure environment
• Commitment to social justice, and an understanding of the legal issues faced by renters in Victoria
• Basic knowledge of the law and court and VCAT procedure, with a focus on rental law
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and to foster a co-operative and supportive team environment
• Strong skills in the use of Microsoft Office software relevant to a legal practice (particularly MS Word, Excel and Outlook), and the capacity to quickly acquire competency in the use of our client database.

Required qualifications and experience

• You must have completed a law degree
• You must be currently completing, or enrolled in, professional legal education to gain admission to practice (i.e., through College of Law or Leo Cussen)
• You must not be currently admitted as a lawyer. Lawyers will not be considered
• You must be willing to undertake a Police Check and a Working with Children Check prior to your placement with us

How to apply

Please submit your resume, and a covering letter of no more than 2 pages responding to the following:

• Why you have chosen to apply for this role
• How you satisfy the key selection criteria

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so please submit your application via email as soon as possible. A full position description is available below. Please direct applications and any queries to Georga Wootton, Renter Support Service Manager, via email to georga.wootton@tenantsvic.org.au