About the role

The Principal Solicitor is responsible for leading and maintaining the Centre’s legal practice. This includes:

• ensuring compliance with all professional, regulatory and risk management obligations
• supervising legal and intake staff
• contributing to organisational leadership, strategy and law reform work
• providing high quality legal advice, casework and representation to clients

The Principal Solicitor is a key member of the Centre’s executive team and works collaboratively with the CEO, Centre Manager, Community Engagement Manager and Board to advance the Centre’s vision for a fair, just and accessible social security system.

WELFARE RIGHTS CENTRE

Welfare Rights Centre provides free legal information, advice, and representation to help people navigating complex and intersecting disadvantage to understand and access their social security entitlements. We collaborate closely with Economic Justice Australia, our national peak body, to advocate for a fair and accessible social security system as the foundation for a fair, just, and inclusive society.

Our work supports people on low incomes and those facing structural barriers to access their legal entitlements, challenges unfair social security debts, and helps prevent and alleviate poverty and long‑term disadvantage.

About You

We’re looking for someone who has:

• An unrestricted practicing certificate in NSW, or eligibility to hold one;
• Knowledge of social security and family assistance law, policies and Centrelink’s administrative practices, or the capacity to rapidly acquire this knowledge.
• A minimum five years’ experience post‑admission legal experience sufficient to supervise a legal practice
• Substantial experience working or volunteering in a community legal sector or Legal Aid;
• Experience in supervising staff and/or volunteers.

Why join Welfare Rights Centre NSW?

Welfare Rights Centre is well known for its supportive and collegiate work culture, its strong advocacy for the rights of socially and economically disadvantaged people and its commitment to social justice. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a specialist legal practice with real impact for individuals, communities and the broader system.

We strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that values different perspectives and contributions.

What we offer

• 10% above Award salary
• 1% additional employer-paid superannuation, above award salaries
• Salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
• Generous leave provisions including extra paid leave over Christmas and Easter
• Ongoing training and development
• Family friendly and flexible work arrangements
• Employee Assistance Program for confidential well-being support

For questions about the role or to find out more please contact the CEO Katherine Boyle on (02) 9211 5389.

A position description is attached.