Western Australia’s regional community legal sector has launched a major workforce initiative to strengthen access to justice in rural, regional and remote (RRR) communities.
The Regional Alliance of Justice Associations (RAJA), in partnership with Community Legal WA, is leading the project, responding to years of growing demand for legal services outside Perth. The demand is driven by things like population changes, increased reporting of family and domestic violence, and greater understanding of legal rights.
Despite this demand, RRR communities face ongoing legal workforce challenges: attracting and retaining qualified legal professionals, overcoming geographical isolation, and managing limited resources.
Key focus areas
The initiative outlines several strategies aimed at building a sustainable workforce:
- Competitive remuneration: Better pay structures, housing allowances and relocation support.
- Graduate pathways: Scholarships, internships and mentorships to encourage young lawyers into regional practice.
- Career progression: Designing scalable frameworks to provide opportunities for leadership and specialisation without leaving RRR communities.
- Continuous support: Professional development, wellbeing programs and peer networks tailored to remote practice.
- Pro-bono partnerships: Metro-based firms providing expertise and support to regional areas.
- Diversity and inclusion: Increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and ensuring culturally safe workplaces.
Why place-based matters
Research shows that local, place-based service delivery remains essential. On-the-ground lawyers can build community trust, respond to cultural contexts, and provide support that virtual and FIFO services alone cannot replace.
The project highlights that RRR practice also brings rewards: diverse casework, community connections, faster career growth, and the chance to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Looking ahead
This is not just about filling vacancies. RAJA and Community Legal WA want to build a resilient and adaptable workforce able to respond to community needs into the future. Success will be measured by recruitment and retention rates, job satisfaction, service quality and improved outcomes for vulnerable people.
Call for input
The Law Society’s Country Practitioners’ Committee, in tandem with Piddington Society PLT students, is seeking feedback through practitioner and student surveys, open until 26 September 2025. The RAJA project team also invites lawyers at all career stages to join online workshops, including sessions for students, early-career, mid-career and late-career lawyers as per below:
Community Legal Centre Value Proposition Workshop (open to everyone)
Early career lawyers (0-10 years experience)
Mid-career lawyers (10+ years experience)
Late-career lawyers (the final 10 years of work contributions, incl part time/pro bono)
