Disability Liaison Officer - ABORIGINAL/TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER IDENTIFIED

Job: 1046807 | Full-Time | Maximum Term Contract to June 2026 | Canberra, ACT

***This is an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander identified position which is a genuine occupational qualification authorised under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

Established over 50 years ago as part of the Aboriginal rights protest movement, the Aboriginal Legal Service provides high-quality, culturally safe legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout NSW and the ACT.

Today, we continue to fight for social justice and equity for our communities.

**About the Role ** Are you passionate about disability advocacy, social justice, and supporting people to navigate complex systems with dignity and respect? This is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact as part of the Aboriginal Legal Service – a respected, Aboriginal community-controlled organisation.

In this rewarding role, you’ll advocate for and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients with intellectual and/or physical disabilities who are involved with the criminal justice system. As part of the Justice Support Programs team in the ACT, you’ll help reduce reoffending and support people to stay connected to their community, culture, and support networks.

Working alongside a multidisciplinary team — including solicitors, social workers, and community allies — you’ll assist individuals to understand their rights, access services like the NDIS and Centrelink, and have their voices heard. Your work will support culturally safe, person-centred service delivery and promote better outcomes across justice, disability, and community sectors.

Consider this role if you would like to:

• Be a voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disabilities involved in the justice system
• Help reduce reoffending by empowering individuals to navigate complex systems and access the support they need.
• Join an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation that puts community voices and values at the heart of everything we do.
• Work in an environment that respects cultural protocols, Aboriginal ways of knowing, and trauma-informed practices.
• Support clients at court, in community meetings, or during critical transitions — always with a focus on their wellbeing and voice.
• Support progress of the ACT Disability Justice Strategy (2019-2029) through stakeholder engagement, organisational capacity building and advocacy.
• Help to identify legal problems of clients, facilitating resolution of those problems whilst improving access to justice for those living with disability

Who Are We Looking For? ** Youmust**identify and be recognised as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, with strong connections to Community. Your recent experience will be able to demonstrate expertise in the following areas:

• Strong understanding of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Previous experience supporting people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities, ideally within a justice, community services, or social work context
• Ability to advocate effectively — both empowering clients to self-advocate and representing their views when needed
• Previous or current experience contributing to building organisational capacity to respond to clients living with disability
• Experience developing accessible information for clients
• Advanced interpersonal skills, able to build relationships with stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience working in trauma-informed, client-centred, and strengths-based ways
• Excellent communication skills — able to build trust, maintain clear boundaries, and work with people in vulnerable circumstances
• Solid written and verbal communication skills, proven ability to prepare case notes and reports
• Proven track record of managing multiple competing priorities concurrently, attending appointments and maintaining accurate records

You must hold an unrestricted ACT driver’s licence and be able to accommodate regular intrastate travel whilst carrying passengers. Previous legal practice experience is highly desirable, but not essential. Possession of a current, clear Working with Vulnerable People (ACT) Check is an essential requirement of this role.

Why Join Us?

At ALS, you can discover a fulfilling career that truly makes an impact in the community. We also offer our staff a range of generous benefits including:

• Not-for-profit salary packaging to reduce your tax burden, which means you get to keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%, ensuring that you are rewarded for your time off and can enjoy a well-deserved break.
• Career and professional development opportunities

At the ALS, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of safe recruitment practices. Therefore, it is essential that candidates either possess or have the capacity to obtain a current and valid Working with Children (NSW) or Working with Vulnerable People (ACT) check for this role.

We are focused on providing equal opportunities to all candidates. If you identify as a person with a disability and need any adjustments or support with your application including throughout the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing the ALS Talent Team at talent@alsnswact.org.au.

Please note that due to the criticality of this role to our organisation, we will move at a pace through our recruitment process. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply ASAP. The role will close when an offer is accepted by a suitable candidate.