Senior Local Area Coordinator - First Nations

Lead culturally safe NDIS services and help create better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) is seeking a Senior Local Area Coordinator – First Nations to lead and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Local Area Coordinators within our NDIS Local Area Coordination service. This influential role combines team leadership, culturally responsive practice, participant support and community engagement.

• Location: This role is based at the Preston Office.
  • Supporting the Darebin and Yarra local government areas within the North East Melbourne region.
  • Learn more about our Preston office, including accessibility, parking, public transport and building access information, through our Access Key.
• Salary: $117,067.10 - $122,246.92 per year + 12% superannuation and $13,000 vehicle allowance.
• Type of Employment: Permanent, full-time (38 hours per week).
• Working Arrangement: To help set you up for success, your probation period will be fully office-based, giving you hands-on support and learning opportunities.
  • Following probation, a hybrid work arrangement may be available, with a minimum of 60% of working time spent in the office.
• This position is designated for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. Exemption is claimed under Section 28 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (VIC).

This isn't just a job, it's a mission to create lasting change.

ABOUT YOUR NEW ROLE

As a Senior Local Area Coordinator - First Nations, you will lead, supervise and develop a team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Local Area Coordinators, fostering a culturally safe, supportive and high-performing environment. You will also maintain a participant caseload and work with families, communities, service providers and the NDIA to improve access, address barriers and achieve equitable outcomes.

In this role, you will:

• Lead, coach and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LAC staff, including oversight of complex matters.
• Help participants and families understand the NDIS, develop and implement plans, access services and exercise choice and control.
• Build trusted relationships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, community leaders, providers, peak bodies and the NDIA.
• Promote NDIS awareness and participation through culturally appropriate engagement, including workshops and yarning circles.
• Champion culturally safe practice and strengthen capability across the broader team.
• Monitor service quality, documentation, performance, risk and compliance, and implement practical improvements.
• Advocate for accessible, inclusive and equitable services for people with disability, their families and carers.

ABOUT YOU

You will lead, supervise and develop a team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Local Area Coordinators, fostering a culturally safe, supportive and high-performing environment. You will also maintain a participant caseload and work with families, communities, service providers and the NDIA to improve access, address barriers and achieve equitable outcomes.

You bring strong knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and demonstrated experience working respectfully with the community. You are a capable people leader who can build trust, guide practice, resolve complex issues and support others to deliver high-quality community or disability services.

You will also bring:

• Knowledge of the NDIS, participant pathway and barriers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities may face when accessing mainstream services.
• Strong relationship-building, organisational, problem-solving and professional writing skills.
• Relevant qualifications and/or experience in disability or community services.
• A commitment to child safety, cultural safety, inclusion and person-centred practice.

Lived experience of disability, personally or as a carer, will be highly regarded.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

• It is a genuine occupational requirement that this position be filled by an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander person. Classified under: Section 28 Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (VIC).
• Eligibility to work in Australia.
• Satisfactory Police Check, Working with Children Check and NDIS Worker Screening Check.
• Relevant NDIA checks, including the NDIS Banning Orders Register.
• Capacity to travel between work locations and undertake occasional evening, weekend, public holiday or on-call work where required.

ABOUT BSL

At the Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL), we see possibilities.

BSL works towards an Australia free of poverty through policy reform, community partnerships and quality services. Our Disability Services portfolio delivers NDIS Local Area Coordination and Early Childhood services across metropolitan Melbourne, supporting people with disability to participate socially and economically.

We value diversity and inclusion and are committed to the safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We want everyone who engages with BSL to feel respected, safe, supported and empowered.

WHY JOIN BSL?

What we offer our employees:

Leave Entitlements

• 17.5% leave loading on annual leave.
• Ten (10) paid days of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Leave per year.
• Reproductive Leave, Gender Affirmation Leave, Cultural Leave and Family and Domestic Violence Leave.

Financial Benefits

• Salary Packaging - Claim up to $18,500 per year tax-free.
• Discounted health insurance.
• Discounted child care.

Wellbeing

• Optional free flu shots each year.
• A workplace that actively supports diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are ready to lead culturally safe practice, strengthen community connections and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability to achieve their goals, we encourage you to apply.

When completing your application, please upload each document as a separate attachment.

Your application must include:

• A tailored cover letter.
• A current resume showcasing demonstrated skills and experiences aligned to the Position Description.
• A response to the four (4) Key Selection Criteria below (maximum two (2) pages across all responses):
  
  
  1. Working with First Nations Communities: Demonstrated experience and commitment to working with First Nations communities local to Disability Services service areas.
  2. Navigating Sensitive Issues: Proven capability to address and navigate difficult and sensitive topics with internal and external stakeholders.
  3. Collaboration and Relationship Building: Share how you've built and maintained positive relationships with individuals, families, service providers or community stakeholders.
  4. Management and Leadership: Describe your leadership style, and give a concrete example of supervising, mentoring, or supporting a team to achieve results.

If you'd prefer to respond to the Key Selection Criteria in an alternative format, such as dot points, audio or video, please contact the Recruitment Team. We're happy to discuss options that support your participation in the recruitment process.

SUPPORT

BSL is committed to making recruitment accessible.

Our Position Descriptions are provided in HTML format and designed to work across different devices and assistive technologies, including screen readers.

To access the Position Description:

1. Select the Position Description link in the job advertisement.
2. The file will download automatically.
3. Open the downloaded file in your preferred web browser.

If you need adjustments during the recruitment process, information in an alternative format, or support accessing the Position Description or submitting your application, please contact the Recruitment Team.

QUESTIONS?

For confidential conversations or enquiries, please contact Nick Sonneman (Senior Manager, Local Area Coordination - NDIS Services).

• Email: Nick.Sonneman@bsl.org.au
• Phone: 0491 050 760

APPLICATIONS CLOSE

Sunday 04 October 2026 at 11:55 pm.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

We are an EEO and understand the importance of diversity and inclusion. We recognise that everyone has the right to an equitable, safe and productive environment and to be treated with dignity and respect.  We welcome applications from all people regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, cultural background, disability or sexual orientation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Safeguarding Statement

BSL is a child-safe organisation. BSL has zero tolerance to any form of abuse or harm to vulnerable people and is committed to specifically protecting children from harm. Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment checks including criminal history and working with children. Recruitment decisions are based on the key inherent needs and requirements of each role, and candidates are selected based on their unique strengths and characteristics. Applicants must have proof of working rights in Australia.

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