About SSRV
Social Security Rights Victoria (SSRV) is a Community Legal Centre which provides legal advice and assistance to people in regards to Social Security and Family Assistance Law. Being a community organisation we rely heavily on volunteers and recognise the valuable contribution they make to both SSRV and its clients.

Who We Want
SSRV is looking for law students at any stage in their degree to volunteer with us. We are especially looking for people who have a desire to pursue a career in the community sector and enjoy working with people from a diverse range of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Our volunteers must also be aware and empathetic to the particular problems people on a low-income face and have a commitment to bringing about social justice for these people.

What You Would Do
Recognising the valuable contribution volunteers make to our organisation SSRV seeks to give our volunteers a well-rounded and unique experience when volunteering with us. We want our volunteers to leave us as work-force ready as possible and therefore provide opportunities for them to be exposed to many different tasks. Principally our volunteers man our phone advice line. This is the main point of contact for clients and so volunteers will conduct the initial interview of all callers.

Volunteers at SSRV are also given the opportunity to provide supervised advice directly to clients and to assist in casework working alongside a caseworker. We also endeavor to expose our volunteers to the tribunal system allowing them to sit in on hearings at the Social Security Appeals Tribunal where possible.

Being a Community Legal Centre, SSRV is also active in policy development around areas of Social Security and low-income. This means volunteers can also be involved in policy development and research if their particular interests lie in that area.

Commitment Required
SSRV requires all its volunteers to undertake an induction session and a training course. Following this we ask for a commitment of one half day per week for a period of at least 12 months. Currently all volunteer shifts are in the morning being from 9:30am-1:00pm Mon-Fri.

How to Apply
SSRV accepts applications at any time. If our program is full at the time you will be placed on the waitlist and contacted when we do the next in-take. Depending on numbers an in-take of volunteers is conducted either once or twice a year. To apply please email Rini Krouskos (Volunteer Coordinator) with a cover letter and resume.
rini(at)ssrv.org.au