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Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

We help Victorians with their legal problems and represent those who need it most. Find legal answers, chat with us online, or call us. You can speak to us in English or ask for an interpreter. You can also find more legal information at www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

1300 MOB VLA phone line is open between 10 am and 3 pm today. The chat line is still closed. Our Legal Help phone line and chat has reduced hours of 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.
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Aboriginal community engagement officers

Our Aboriginal community engagement officers (ACEO) help First Peoples get the help they need. They are specialist non-legal roles that work collaboratively with legal and non-legal partners to improve access to justice for Victoria Legal Aid’s First Peoples clients and communities.

The ACEO program began in 2017 and runs from six of our regional offices – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Morwell and Shepparton.

The role of Aboriginal community engagement officers

  • Community engagement – attend community events and deliver community legal education activities.
  • Client engagement – support clients at initial VLA lawyer’s appointments, provide information, support at court hearings.
  • Stakeholder engagement – develop relationships and referral pathways with local stakeholders and attend local network meetings.
  • Improve service delivery – share cultural knowledge that informs Victoria Legal Aid advocacy and contributes to projects that impact First Peoples communities. This includes providing secondary consultations to staff and Aboriginal community controlled organisations (ACCOs) to strengthen culturally safe service delivery.
  • Referrals and support – connect clients to appropriate services including the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) and Djirra, and offer culturally safe guidance, assistance and advocacy when needed.

Growing the service to better support First Peoples

Government reports and inquiries have shown that First Peoples need better access to better legal support. These include:

  • The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
  • Closing the Gap Priority Reforms
  • National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP) review
  • coronial findings
  • the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

Our ACEO program will expand to all regional offices in 2026. This will be funded by the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner as part of our commitment to ensure First Peoples clients and help seekers can get legal help and support that is respectful, culturally safe and easy to access.

We recognise that First Peoples legal services are the principal providers for First Peoples-led services. Victoria Legal Aid is a mainstream legal service for First Peoples:

  • when they need more choice
  • there is a conflict of interest
  • or if principal services are unavailable.

Apply to be part of the team

ACEO roles are advertised on our Careers portal.

Contact us

Help seekers can contact our regional offices to get in touch with an ACEO.

For further information about the program more broadly please contact aceoleadership@vla.vic.gov.au

Read about the statewide expansion of our Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer Program.

Read more about First Nations employment at Victoria Legal Aid.

Learn about our office locations.

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