About the role

Paralegals manage our legal reception and provide administrative assistance to our solicitors, ensuring we deliver the best service to our clients. Paralegal tasks include but are not limited to, staffing front reception, operating our phone system, liaising with clients in person or over the phone, document preparation and filing, coordinating email and post, and providing general support to the team. Paralegals also open client files and draft closure letters. In return, we provide an energetic and engaging workplace with ongoing training and development opportunities.

Program: Human Rights Law

The Human Rights Law Program is an accredited community legal centre working within the ASRC to provide free, expert immigration legal advice and representation to people seeking asylum. The Human Rights Law Program comprises a team of full-time solicitors (who are also Migration Agents) and works with a large team of volunteers to deliver holistic and innovative legal services. The program also engages in community legal education, law reform, sector capacity building, and advocacy.

Key responsibilities:

• Operate a busy phone system and undertake tasks that ensure the smooth operation of the Human Rights Law Program.
• Conduct short client appointments and communicate with clients face-to-face or by telephone and email, under the supervision of a solicitor.
• Coordinate the opening and closing of client legal files.
• Complete tasks for clients, including drafting correspondence, taking accurate messages, booking client appointments, and completing Department of Immigration and Border Protection forms.
• Draft legal correspondence such as file closure letters.
• Transcribe voice memorandums.
• Undertake research projects and provide memorandums of advice.
• Liaise with suppliers, staff, and other volunteers to keep the office running smoothly.
• General administrative duties include data management, filing and document preparation, photocopying, accurate record keeping, and receiving and processing emails and posts.

What we’re looking for:

• Demonstrated interest in Refugee Law and commitment to protecting the rights of people seeking asylum.
• Ability to work in a culturally appropriate manner in line with ASRC values, and adherence to our responsibilities as a Community Legal Centre.
• Ability to take instructions, accept feedback, and implement performance improvements.
• Flexible, collaborative attitude and ability to build strong relationships with our staff, volunteers, clients, suppliers, and associates.
• Professional phone manner with high-level communication skills, including the confidence to liaise with a range of clients, staff, volunteers, associates, and community members.
• Attention to detail, administrative and time management skills, and the capacity to handle ongoing and one-off tasks consistently and competently.
• Technical proficiency in Google and Microsoft systems, formatting documents, preparing letters, and learning new systems.
• Previous experience in a legal office is favourable, although not essential.
• Able to provide at least a 12-month commitment to the position.

About Us

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) is the largest aid, employment, health, and advocacy organisation for people seeking asylum in Australia. The ASRC provides a range of direct services as well as participating in law reform, campaigning, and lobbying. The human rights of people seeking asylum and refugees are at the foundation of all we do and the workforce makes it happen, doing the work to bring the vision and purpose to life. Our organisational values are Welcoming, Authentic, Courageous, and Collaborative.

For more information email volunteer@asrc.org.au.