Public Interest Careers Guide
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Acknowledgements Dean of the UNSW Law Faculty UNSW Law Careers Manager UNSW Law Society Presidents Vice President (Public Interest Careers) Public Interest Careers Research Directors Publications Vice President Publications Directors
Andrew Lynch Brooke Johnson Sam Luo, Yvonne Lin Ryan McPhail Isabel Gong, Yue Hun Chia Joshua Lai Sienna Gunawan, Eva Baricevic, Nathan Choi, Akshit Shrivastava, Ambeikaa Mishra, James Childs, Alexander Lee, Moneesha Perera
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© 2026 UNSW Law Society This publication is copyright. Except where permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth), no part of this publication may be reproduced or stored by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written perrmission of the unit of study. The articles and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the UNSW Law Society, the editors, or those of the UNSW Faculty of Law. Although the editors and the authors have taken every case in preparing and writing the guide, the expressly disclaim and accept no liability for any errors, omissions, misuse or misunderstandings on the part of any person who uses or relies upon them. The editors, authors and the UNSW Law Society accept no responsibility for any damage, injury or loss occasion to any person or entity, whether law student or otherwise, as a result of a person relying, wholly or in part, on any material included, omitted or implied in this publication.
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Contents Introduction Message from the Dean of the UNSW Law Faculty Message from the UNSW Law Careers Manager Message from the UNSW Law Society Presidents Message from the Vice-President (Public Interest Careers) Chapter 1: UNSW Law Internships Kingsford Legal Centre Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS) The Australian Human Rights Institute Chapter 2: Government and Public Service Fair Work Ombudsman Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Attorney-General’s Department Australian Human Rights Commission Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) Office of Australian Information Commissioner Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications Department of Defence Department of Veterans' Affairs Department of Education Department of Industry, Science and Resources Fair Work Commission Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Department of Health and Aged Care Department of Home Affairs Commonwealth Ombudsman Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Department of Social Services Australian Competition & Consumer Commission Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Treasury
11 12 13 14 16 17 18
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47
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Contents Australian Defence Force Australian Federal Police Legal Aid NSW NSW Public Service Commission NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office NSW Department of Communities and Justice NSW Law Reform Commission Council of Law Reporting for NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) Law Enforcement Conduct Commission Police Prosecutors Public Defenders
48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61
Chapter 3: Communities and NGOs Aboriginal Legal Service Arts Law Centre of Australia Australian Centre for Disability Law Environmental Defenders Office Central Tablelands and Blue Mountains Community Legal Centre (CTBMCLC) HIV/AIDS Legal Centre Immigration Advice and Rights Centre Kingsford Legal Centre Macarthur Legal Centre Marrickville Legal Centre Redfern Legal Centre Refugee Advice & Casework Service Welfare Rights Centre Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre Women's Legal Service NSW Youth Law Australia Amnesty International Australia Australian Pro Bono Centre Cancer Council NSW Intellectual Disability Rights Service Justice Action Justice Connect NSW Council for Civil Liberties Oxfam
63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
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Contents Justice and Equity Centre Unions NSW Voiceless
87 88 89
Chapter 4: The Bar and Judiciary/The Courts Associate and Tipstaff Positions New South Wales Bar Association
91 92
Chapter 5: Plaintiff/Private Public Interest Firms Criminal Defence Lawyers Australia Maurice Blackburn Lawyers Shine Lawyers Slater and Gordon Lawyers
94 95 96 97
Chapter 6: Public International Law/International Public Interest UN WTO World Bank International Court of Arbitration International Court of Justice Human Rights Watch Centre for International and Environmental Law Greenpeace International Environmental Law Research Centre International Tribunal for Law of the Sea Asian Development Bank International Monetary Fund Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Asian Human Rights Commission International Bar Association International Commission of Jurists International Committee of the Red Cross International Criminal Police Organisation United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) United Nations General Assembly United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
99 100 102 103 104 105 106 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125
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Contents United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) World Food Programme (WFP)
126 127 128 129 130
Chapter 7: Additional Testimonies Welfare Rights Centre Environmental Defenders’ Office Supreme Court of New South Wales Gilbert + Tobin Inner City Legal Centre
133 133 134 134 135
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Colour Codes Please refer to the colour code below throughout the guide to see which organisation offers employment opportunities and work experience to the relevant student year group.
Year First Second Third Fourth Fifth JD/LLM
Colour
LawSoc Events 2027 To learn more about and network with the organisations in this guide, keep an eye on the following UNSW Law Society Events that may happen in 2027. LawSoc Events Administrative Law Panel
Related Organisation Administrative Appeals Tribunal Immigration Advice and Rights Centre
Careers in Criminal Law Night
Australian Federal Police Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) Law Enforcement Conduct Commission Police Prosecutors Public Defenders Criminal Defence Lawyers Australia (CDLA)
Human Rights Conference
Australian Human Rights Commission Refugee Advice & Casework Service The Australian Human Rights Institute
Law Reform Panel
Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) NSW Law Reform Commission Public Interest Advocacy Centre
Careers in Academia Panel
International Environment Law Research Centre Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law
Careers at the Bar Panel
New South Wales Bar Association
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Pro Bono and Legal Aid Panel
Careers in Government Panel
Evening with the High Court Justices Associateships and Tipstaff Panel
Private Law x Public Interest Careers Fair
Legal Aid NSW Inner City Legal Centre Australian Pro Bono Centre Aboriginal Legal Service Arts Law Centre of Australia Cancer Council Australia Attorney-General's Department Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications Department of Defence Department of Veterans' Affairs Department of Education Department of Industry, Science and Resources Fair Work Commission Fair Work Ombudsman Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Department of Health and Aged Care Department of Home Affairs Commonwealth Ombudsman Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Department of Social Services Australian Competition & Consumer Commission Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) Australian Taxation Office Supreme Court of NSW High Court of Australia Supreme Court of NSW Federal Court of Australia Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) ODPP NSW Crown Solicitor's Office Attorney-General's Department Department of Defence Department of Home Affairs Legal Aid NSW Aboriginal Legal Service Youth Law Australia Department of Communities and Justice Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS) Kingsford Legal Centre Arts Law Centre
Introduction Message from the Dean of the UNSW Law Faculty Message from the UNSW Law Careers Manager Message from the UNSW Law Society Presidents Message from the Vice-President (Public Interest Careers)
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Message from the Dean of the UNSW Law Faculty UNSW Law & Justice is committed to supporting students to build purposeful, socially engaged careers. For many of you, this may include opportunities in public interest law including government, community legal services, nongovernment organisations and other settings where legal skills can be used to advance access to justice and contribute to meaningful change. Our Faculty has a long-standing commitment to social justice, reflected through our teaching, research centres and institutes and strong connections with the profession and community sector. I encourage you to make the most of the opportunities available to learn from practitioners, alumni, academics and peers, whether through networking, Faculty initiatives, Law Society events or hands-on learning experiences. Work Integrated Learning electives provide valuable opportunities for students to gain practical experience through internships and clinic placements with a broad range of public interest partner organisations. With more than 30 partner organisations to which students can apply, internships allow students to develop their professional skills, explore different areas of law and deepen their commitment to access to justice. In summer 2027, we are pleased to launch the Legal Aid regional, rural and remote (RRR) internship program, offering students a distinctive experience of legal practice in communities across NSW, supported by faculty financial assistance. You may also choose to undertake a Law Clinic elective with Kingsford Legal Centre, the Land and Environment Court or the Police Powers Clinic. These experiences can help you see the law in action, deepen your understanding of clients and communities, and build confidence in applying your legal education beyond the classroom. As future law graduates, your skills will be essential in responding to complex social challenges, from access to justice and climate change to public health and the protection of rights.
I encourage you to engage fully with university life and to actively broaden your perspective. The educational philosophy at UNSW Law & Justice recognises the diverse experiences that shape people’s interactions with the law. Practical experience, alongside your academic studies, can help you make informed decisions about your future pathway and identify the environments where you can make the greatest contribution. The Law & Justice Careers Service is available to support students as they explore these options and prepare for the next stage of their careers. The rewards and challenges of any career path are best understood through curiosity, exploration and engagement. This Public Interest Careers Guide is designed to help you begin that process, offering practical information and inspiration. I thank the UNSW Law Society for its ongoing support of students and congratulate the editors on producing another valuable resource for the UNSW Law & Justice student community.
Professor Andrew Lynch Dean of UNSW Faculty of Law & Justice
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Message from the UNSW Law Careers Manager At UNSW Law & Justice, we have a long-standing commitment to advocacy and social justice, and the faculty encourages students to engage with issues of access to justice, human rights, law reform, and public service, preparing students and graduates to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond. This commitment is reflected in the many UNSW alumni who have built rewarding careers across the public sector, community legal centres, international organisations, policy bodies, and other purposedriven professions. Through the faculty’s extensive partnerships with public interest organisations, we offer our law students some amazing opportunities to gain practical experience through our Work Integrated Learning (WIL) elective courses. I encourage you to explore incorporating these options as part of your degree. As a law student you may wish to consider undertaking a law internship with one of over 30 partner organisations undertaking a clinic placement with Kingsford Legal Centre, the Land & Environment Court or Redfern Legal Centre (Police Powers) to gain firsthand experience of social justice in action. These experiences offer valuable opportunities to see social justice in action, build professional skills and explore how your legal education can contribute to public interest work. This guide has been designed to help you explore the diverse range of public interest career opportunities available to law students and graduates. Whether you are interested in government, public policy, human rights, criminal justice, community advocacy, international development, or access to justice, we hope the insights and advice shared throughout these pages will support your career planning and inspire you to pursue work that aligns with your values.
The Law & Justice Careers Service is here to support you throughout your studies and beyond. We can help you make informed decisions and progress towards your career goals through career coaching appointments, employer engagement initiatives and events, career planning resources, student and graduate job opportunities advertised on the Law & Justice Jobs Board. I encourage you to make the most of the opportunities available to you and to explore the many pathways presented in this guide. The public interest sector offers the chance to combine professional achievement with meaningful impact, and I hope this guide helps you take the next step towards a rewarding career. For further careers resources and support, visit MyLaw or contact law.careers@unsw.edu.au. For questions about WIL offerings, please contact law.wil@unsw.edu.au.
Brooke Johnson Manager, Careers & Student Engagement UNSW Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney
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Message from the UNSW Law Society Presidents
The UNSW Law Society is proud to continue supporting the UNSW Law community in pursuing their career ambitions and personal aspirations. A core part of this mission is ensuring that our students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to achieve their goals. It is with this in mind that we are excited to present the 2026 Public Interest Careers Guide. This guide offers insight into a diverse range of career paths across government, not-for-profit organisations, and other agencies that the UNSW Law Society is privileged to support. It provides an overview of each sector, alongside application advice and key deadlines, designed to help you navigate your career journey with confidence. Public interest work is deeply rewarding, offering the chance to drive meaningful change and work alongside passionate, determined, and inspiring advocates.
Today, public interest careers are more important than ever — addressing critical issues such as refugee and immigration rights, advancing humanitarian causes, and promoting justice across our communities. We hope this guide inspires you to explore new pathways, discover your passions, and pursue a career that makes a difference. Finally, we would like to sincerely thank the Public Interest Careers team and the publications team for their hard work in bringing this guide to life. Special thanks go to our Vice-President (Public Interest Careers) Ryan McPhail, Vice-President (Publications) Josh Lai, and their directors Isabel Gong and Yue Hun Cha for their leadership and dedication. We wish you the very best as you embark on your career journey, and hope this guide is a valuable resource along the way. Sam Luo and Yvonne Lin UNSW Law Society Co-Presidents
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Message from the Vice-President (Public Interest Careers) As the Vice-President of Public Interest Careers 2026, I have had the immense privilege of leading a team of directors who are truly passionate about and dedicated to serving the UNSW law community. I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to the directors I have had the pleasure of leading throughout the year, with a special thank you to Isabel Gong and Yue Hun Chia for their tireless efforts in producing this guide. Advocacy and the pursuit of social justice form the foundational pillars upon which the UNSW Faculty of Law and Justice rests. As students studying law at UNSW, we are in a position of incredible privilege. By pursuing higher education at a world-renowned institution, we are encouraged and equipped with capabilities to debate the big issues, defend those who cannot defend themselves and make a difference in this world. PIC focuses on giving students the opportunity to interact and learn from legal professionals in Public Interest pathways. This year, the portfolio is proud to have hosted events, which hundreds of students have attended, ranging from a large scale Careers Fair, to events where students, alongside lawyers, discuss Public Interest issues, and come to understand increasingly important legal pathways. This year, the portfolio collectively had two key objectives. First, was to increase the traction of PIC events. Through working hard and supporting each other internally, as well as collaborating with other portfolios, PIC were able to host larger scale events with record attendance. The Evening with the Justices, High Court edition was a memorable highlight. Our portfolio’s second goal was to become a vibrant, social and cohesive family. When caught up in the pressure of planning for events and delivering deadlines, it can be easy to forget that the Law Society is a volunteer society group, focused on bringing students together.
The Careers Road Trip was a key highlight, which saw both Career portfolios spend four memorable days up the North Coast, where we even named a beach, Careers Cove! Further, PIC’s post event dinners became a great way for our portfolio to regularly catch up as friends, once we had dropped the event’s formalities! I hope that this publication will serve as inspiration for students to embrace the versatility of their law degree and advocate for those who are unable to advocate for themselves in fights for the causes they believe in. On behalf of myself and the UNSW Law Society, we wish you the very best of luck and look forward to seeing the impact of all you accomplish. Ryan McPhail Vice-President (Public Interest Careers), UNSW Law Society 2026
Chapter 1 UNSW Law Internships Kingsford Legal Centre Refugee Advice & Casework Service The Australian Human Rights Institute
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Kingsford Legal Centre
••••
Since 1981, Kingsford Legal Centre (KLC) has been committed to social justice and to promoting access to and reform of the legal system. We aim to provide quality legal services to the community and to promote excellence in clinical legal education while fostering a critical analysis of the justice system. Kingsford Legal Centre is part of the UNSW Sydney Faculty of Law and Justice and provides a number of clinical legal education programs to its students. KLC's lawyers, volunteers and students help over 1,500 local community members each year. UNSW students undertake client interviewing at KLC as part of the Lawyers, Ethics and Justice course. Students can also participate in longer clinic programs as an elective. Clinics run in Term 1 and Term 3 and cover community law, employment law or family law. Students are involved in the following types of work: - client interviewing - legal research - writing letters - preparing briefs for counsel - writing law reform submissions - undertaking advocacy in court or tribunals - develop community education materials You can find more information about clinics here: https://www.law.unsw.edu.au/students/clinics/kingsfordlegal-centre
The KLC’s work spans a broad range of legal areas, including domestic violence, credit and debt, victims’ compensation, criminal law, employment law, discrimination law, Centrelink matters, motor vehicle accidents, consumer disputes, neighbourhood disputes, fines, tenancy, and limited family law advice. Employees provide legal advice and referrals, represent clients in appropriate matters, deliver community legal education, and contribute to law reform and policy work. Graduates can volunteer at KLC as part of UNSW Law's PLT program. You can find more information here: https://www.law.unsw.edu.au/study/unsw -practical-legal-training
Fun Fact The KLC was founded in 1981 and is integrated into UNSW's legal education with every LLB and JD student spending time at the on-campus community legal centre during their degree. Location Sydney
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••••
RACS
The Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS) aims to support refugees by offering free legal services and advocacy. They assist marginalized groups seeking asylum in Australia, including women facing violence, LGBTIQA+ individuals, stateless people, unaccompanied children, and those seeking family reunion. RACS also works on advocating for fair treatment of refugees through legal reforms and complaints against human rights violations to Australian and UN bodies. RACS offers volunteer positions to law students who are in their second year or above with a requirement of committing one day per week for three months. Student volunteers take part in research, form-filling, assisting with client enquiries, scheduling client appointments and other forms of administrative and legal work. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to human rights and social justice, an understanding of the issues that affect people seeking asylum, and a capacity to problem-solve. You can find more information here: https://www.racs.org.au/work-with-us-volunteer RACS also offer unpaid PLT placements to graduate students with PLT students needing to commit three days per week for 60 days. Here they will be involved in research, drafting statements, observing and assisting with client appointments, accompanying lawyers to client meetings and DOHA interviews and various other legal and administrative tasks. Applicants must have previous volunteer and administrative experience, a demonstrated commitment to human rights and social justice, an understanding of the issues that affect people seeking asylum, and a capacity to problem-solve. You can find more information https://www.racs.org.au/work-with-us-volunteer
Location Sydney
here:
The RACS specialises in human rights law relevant to refugees and people seeking asylum. This is achieved through providing legal advice and referrals, representing people whose refugee claims have been refused, conducting outreach services, and delivering community legal education. The RACS also undertakes significant policy and law reform work, including lobbying and making direct representations to government, regulators, politicians and other organisations, as well as preparing submissions and responses to government consultations and proposed reforms.
Testimonial — Rhiannon Bell At RACS, I assisted people who had fled their home countries and were seeking protection visas in Australia. This involved advising individuals and families on the process, reviewing client files to assist in preparing applications, giving advice on attendance at interviews, and drafting pre- and postinterview submissions. I would strongly recommend volunteering at RACS. The work RACS does makes a real difference for the clients. I am grateful to have worked with people who are passionate about helping others and who were always incredibly patient with me whilst I was at an early stage of my career (and always had a million questions!).
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Australian Human Rights Institute
•••
In 2018, the Australian Human Rights Institute was created as part of UNSW’s Strategy 2025 to enhance the university’s ability to create a world-class research institute focused on human rights to further the strategic goals of pursuing academic excellence and enhancing social impact. UNSW Law offers internships through the Australian Human Rights Institute program, providing course credit. Opportunities cover modern slavery research, health and human rights, UN Committee for the Rights of People with Disabilities, and Migrant Justice Worker Initiative. An editorial internship is also available at the Australian Journal of Human Rights. For application details, deadlines, and eligibility, visit https://my.law.unsw.edu.au/currentstudents/lawinaction . The Global Student Fellowship Program offers a six-week fellowship with international organizations, providing $6,500 upon completion. Multiple fellowship opportunities are available annually. For more information and applications, visit humanrights.unsw.edu.au/students/global-studentfellowship. UNSW Law welcomes student volunteers for research projects and events in the Human Rights Conference Series.
Testimonials "The Global Student Fellowship was a fantastic opportunity and provided a valuable experience in working in the human rights and development sector. I consider it one of the best decisions of my university career. I developed several key skills. The most notable was a fuller understanding of human rights and their application in context. It is one thing to learn about concepts and topics in the abstract in a classroom setting, it is a whole other to engage with practical issues as a relevant stakeholder" -Samuel Pryde, 2021 Global Student Fellow (Jubilee Australia) "Interning at the Australian Human Rights Institute was a fantastic experience. The passion and drive of the staff was inspiring and I was given so many opportunities to participate directly in the work of the Institute, both supporting larger Institute projects, and engaging in individual projects, such as writing articles for the website" -Annabelle Spence (Australian Human Rights Institute intern, Semester 1 2018)
Location Sydney
The Australian Human Rights Institute at UNSW works to address human rights issues through multidisciplinary research, empowering communities and educating future human rights leaders. With over 100 Associates from various faculties, research projects focus on understanding rights barriers and realization in areas such as business, health, gender, climate change, and sports. The Institute collaboratively engages with universities, human rights organizations, government, corporations, and NGOs to bridge academic research and realworld challenges, advancing knowledge exchange and promoting human rights progress.
Chapter 2 Government and Public Service
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Fair Work Ombudsman
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The Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman is an independent agency created by the Fair Work ACT (FW Act). The current Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and head of the agency is Anna Booth.
The primary role of the FWO, assisted by valuable staff, is to ensure performance of workplace compliance and advisory functions as set out by the FW Act. The services of the FWO are wide-reaching, including serving as the central point of contact for information on Australia's workplace relations system, providing education on Fair Work rights, assessing complaints on suspected breaches of workplace laws, litigatation, and facilitating strong relationships with industry.
Specific Work As Australia's workplace regulator, the FWO operates within the Australian Public Service and jobs at the FWO can range from publicfacing advisory roles to legal enforcement, investigations and corporate support. 1. Fair Work Inspectors: The FWO appoints these officers, empowering them to investigate and enforce general compliance with Australia's workplace laws and industrial instruments.
Location Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Orange, Sydney, Wagga Wagga, Canberra, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Adelaide, Mount Gambier, Hobart, Launceston, Bendigo, Melbourne, Morwell, Bunbury, Perth Graduate Opportunities FWO maintains an Employment Register for non-ongoing opportunities of up to 18 months. Positions are available at all Australian Public Service levels, including entry-level. You can find more information here.
2. Infoline Advisors: These advisors are critical in promoting the FWO's key purposes by advising business owners and workers on the key aspects of workplace rights and obligations. 3. Policy and Community Relations Work: Employees are heavily involved in grass-roots engagement with the industry, relevant stakeholders and the broader community to propose and develop management plans 4. Litigation/Lawyers: The FWO may occasionally be involved in critical legal dispute resolution, where lawyers play a key role in helping enforce workplace laws and deter people from wrongdoing in the community 5. Human Resources, Finance, Buildings Services & Technology: These roles are central in the day-to-day operation of the FWO, involving both internal and external management to help the agency deliver its services to the community. 6. Digital Experience, Communications, Education Teams: These roles are central in the FWO's position as a public educator of important Australian workplace laws and regulations to ensure Fair Work rights are adequately addressed.
Fun Fact In 2024, the Fair Work Ombudsman secured a $21,645 penalty in court against the former operator of a burger outlet in Darwin for a breach affecting a vulnerable young worker. The Federal Circuit and Family Court imposed the penalty against Territory Tough Pty Ltd, which formerly operated a burger outlet trading as ‘Good Thanks’ in Darwin’s CBD. The penalty was imposed in response to Territory Tough failing to comply with a Compliance Notice requiring it to calculate and back-pay entitlements owing to a young worker it employed at the outlet as a full-time chef between May 2019 and June 2022.
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Administrative Review Tribunal
••
The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) conducts independent merits review of certain administrative decisions made under Commonwealth law. It reviews decisions of federal government ministers, departments and agencies, as well as some decisions made by state government and non-government bodies. Unlike a court conducting judicial review, the ART considers a matter afresh by examining the relevant facts, law and policy and reaching its own decision. It must make the legally correct decision or, where more than one lawful outcome is available, the preferable decision. ART members do not necessarily have legal backgrounds and may instead have expertise in areas such as accountancy, disability, medicine, migration, public administration, science and social welfare. The ART consists of the President and members who may be appointed as Deputy Presidents, senior members or members. All members of the ART are statutory office holder appointed by the Governor-General.
Location All capital cities except Darwin The ART offers Associate positions for graduates. The role of an Associate is to undertake legal research, assist with the preparation of hearings and publications of orders, decisions and reasons for decisions, pre-hearing liason with parties and their representatives as well as drafting simple directions and interlocutory orders. Associate positions are non-ongoing and can have a duration of between 12 months and three years The ART also has an employment register to source employees for temporary work in areas including legal and policy/research. Work is short-term or project-based and may be part-time or full-time. To see when these positions are available, check here: https://www.art.gov.au/aboutus/careers
Tribunal members conduct merits review in the areas of: - Freedom of information - Migration and refugees - National Disability Insurance Scheme - Security - Small business taxation - Social services and child support - Taxation and commercial - Veteran's appeals
Testimony After practising in refugee and migration law firms as an early career lawyer, I joined the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) as a Legal Officer in the Migration and Refugee Division. In this role I advised Tribunal Members on how to conduct lawful and procedural fair reviews of migration decisions. I then moved into a decision making role within the AAT, reviewing negative protection visa decision for certain applicants who entered Australia by sea. Around two years ago I became a Conference Registrar role within the AAT’s General Division, conducting dispute resolution proceedings in matters including disability, workers compensation and social security reviews. More recently I have been appointed as an AAT Member. Despite being a smaller sized agency, the AAT has offered me various different and interesting opportunities. Although while at law school I did not intend to work for government, now that I have a broader awareness of the varied opportunities within the public sector it is something I would encourage law students to be open to. -Michael Simmons
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ABC
••••
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia’s national public broadcaster. It provides entertainment, news, current affairs and sports programming across television, radio, mobile and online services to metropolitan, regional and remote Australia. Although the ABC is primarily funded by the federal government, it is an independent and non-partisan corporation.
Location All states and territories
The ABC’s Legal Services provide pre- and post-publication advice for journalists, television shows, radio programs and online content. ABC Legal Services has a number of teams, including: • Dispute Resolution, that deals with program complaints, litigation and related disputes; and • Commercial, whose key function is to provide advice and draft agreements across divisions such as Music, Books, Audio, and Magazines.
Internships at the ABC may be available to tertiary students who are required to complete a period of practical experience as part of their course. Internships are an unpaid period of work experience arranged between the educational institution, the ABC, and the student. There are a number of internship opportunities available, depending on what you would like to get out of the experience. More information can be found here: https://www.abc.net.au/careers/work-experience/12007628 Every year, ABC News offers cadetships to aspiring journalists, with opportunities in every State and Territory. The ABC NEWS Cadetship is a 12-month paid program. They offer comprehensive training in multi-platform reporting, the chance to learn from some of Australia’s most outstanding journalists, a mentoring program, and the potential for a rewarding and varied career with the nation’s most trusted and independent source of Australian conversations. More information can be found here: https://www.abc.net.au/careers/workexperience/12007628
Diversity The ABC has a number of diversity and inclusion iniatives, including ABC Pride, ABC Disability Employee Network Group, and programs to support women working in technology. Further, the ABC offers a number of jobs and training programs for indigenous people. Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training is compulsory for all new staff as part of induction.
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Attorney-General’s Department
••
The Attorney-General's Department deliver programs and policies to maintain and improve Australia's law and justice framework, and to facilitate jobs growth through policies advocating for fair, productive, flexible and safe workplaces. Through the Australian Government Solicitor, they also provide legal services to the Commonwealth, including legal advice and representation.
Location All capital cities
The Attorney-General's Department is structured into five groups: 1. The Australian Government Solicitor - provide legal advice and representation to government clients 2. Legal Services and Families - draft legal policy and guide royal commissions 3. Integrity and International - work on security and criminal justice matters, and internaitonal law and cooperation 4. National Anti-Corruption Commission - litigation and policy writing 5. Enabling Services - operational and human resources
The Attorney-General's Department Graduate Program will provide you with: - an 11-month graduate program - a thorough induction to ensure you are equipped to begin your program - 3 rotations within the department to develop your skills and areas of interest -structured learning and development opportunities, including graduate major projects and Practical Legal Training (if eligible) - a dedicated pastoral care coordinator - a buddy network with our previous graduates - opportunities to participate in exclusive networking events, including discussions with senior executives. For more information visit: https://www.ag.gov.au/about-us/careers/employment-programs/attorney-generalsdepartment-graduate-program The Attorney-General's Department recruits their graduates through the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP) streams. This means you can enter the program by applying to your relevant stream: Accounting and Financial Management Data Economist Generalist HR - Indigenous Graduate Pathway Legal You can find more information here.
Testimony Nicholas Watson - AGS Grad Program I joined the 2019 Graduate Program with a BSc (Psych) / LLB (Hons) and eventually settled in the Commercial Practice Group in 2020. My day-to-day work involves drafting, researching, advising and delivering training to a diverse set of Commonwealth clients. The subject matter is highly varied, covering property, contracting & procurement, probity, IP, governance and technology. I’ve especially enjoyed probity – thinking about ensuring government purchases are fair, equitable and defensible. I’ve found the unique nature of AGS particularly rewarding: working in the national interest as the Australian Government’s central legal service, while also having the clientfocused characteristics of a more traditional law firm given that we compete with other legal providers for much of our work.
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Australian Human Rights Commission
••
The Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory organisation, established by the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986. The AHRC protects and promote human rights both in Australia and internationally. Daily work can include conciliating discrimination complaints, holding public inquiries, developing educational resources for schools and workplaces, providing legal advice to courts, making submissions to parliaments and governments, and conducting research into human rights and discrimination issues. The AHRC offers unpaid interships for students in their final year of an undergraduate or graduate degree. Internships can be completed part-time across 12 weeks or full-time across six weeks. Interns will work on a single piece of policy work, submission or project and undertake supporting research, draft writing and/or project/administrative support.
Location Sydney
The internship program is advertised annually in September/October. You can apply here: https://humanrights.gov.au/about/jobs? _ga=2.110239175.33991010.15999899171902506430.1599989917
Project Example The AHRC's 2024 Project ‘Help way earlier!’ – transforming child justice investigates opportunities for reform of child justice and related systems across Australia based on children’s rights and sound evidence. The report includes the voices of children and their families, and stakeholder submissions, interviews and roundtables. For more information visit https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/childrens-rights/publications/help-way-earlier
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Australian Law Reform Commission
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The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) is an independent statutory authority, which functions to conduct inquiries on behalf of the federal Attorney-General. As an independent body, the ALRC is within the Attorney-General’s portfolio although it is simultaneously independent of executive government and thus able to undertake research, consultations, legal policy development and make recommendations through its own authority. ALRC recommendations do not automatically become law however, over 85 percent of ALRC reports have been either substantially or partially implemented making it one of the most effective and influential agents for legal reform in Australia.
Location Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane
The ALRC provides opportunities for penultimate and final-year law students to work with Commission members and legal staff as a voluntary legal intern. Interns will assist with current inquiries through research and policy drafting.
Employees work as policy advisors by undertaking multiple research inquiries based on the needs of the ALRC. This includes: • Bringing the law into line with current conditions and needs • Removing defects in the law • Simplifying the law • Adopting new or effective methods for administering the law and dispensing justice • Providing access to justice
The ALRC does not have a formal graduate program however, they do maintain a register of potential employees for short-term employment of up to 12 months. To be considered for a vacancy, you must hold a law degree and have experience in policy develpment and/or law reform. You can find more information here: https://www.alrc.gov.au/about/careers/
Project Example The ALRC's recent inquiry 'Review of the Future Acts Regime' forms part of the Government’s commitment in response to the Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia’s report on the destruction of First Nations cultural heritage, A Way Forward. In undertaking this reference, the ALRC will have regard to the Socioeconomic Outcomes and Priority Reforms of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and will consider work underway to address recommendations arising from the A Way Forward Report. The ALRC has been asked to provide its final report to the Attorney-General by 8 December 2025. For more information visit https://www.alrc.gov.au/inquiry/review-of-the-future-acts-regime/
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Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS)
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The primary goal of ASIS is to obtain and distribute secret intelligence about the capabilities, intentions and activities of individuals or organisations outside Australia, which may impact on Australia's interests and the wellbeing of its citizens. ASIS is responsible for collecting foreign intelligence that is not available through other means and may affect Australia’s interests. It provides this intelligence to the Australian Government, including key policy departments and agencies, undertakes counter-intelligence activities to protect Australia’s interests and initiatives, and works with intelligence and security services overseas to advance Australia’s national interests.
ASIS offers a 12 month graduate program called ACTIVATE. Successful applicants will gain experience through corporate and operational work placements and will be given the opportunity to travel and undertake specialist training. You’ll complete a rotational program to help you learn about different parts of the organisation that will give you a strong understanding of the business of intelligence. The types of rotations and training and development opportunities you complete will depend on which graduate stream you choose. You can find more information Documentation_-2025-for-2026.pdf
here:
https://www.asis.gov.au/media/GRAD_ACTIVATE_Selection-
Location Canberra Fun Fact For over twenty years, the existence of ASIS remained a secret, even from members of the Australian Government. The Service was first referred to in Parliament in 1975 and was not publicly acknowledged until 1977. The then Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, informed Parliament that "ASIS's capacity to serve Australia's national interest will continue to depend on its activities being fully protected by secrecy". This statement has been reaffirmed by successive Governments. Today, ASIS is a part of the Foreign Affairs portfolio and is responsible to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Based on a recommendation by a Commission of Inquiry in 1995, the Intelligence Services Act 2001 came into being in 2001. It provides a legislative framework for ASIS and made public for the first time, ASIS's functions and limits.
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Australian Secret Intelligence Organisation
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The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) is Australia’s national security service. It works to protect Australia and Australians from threats to national security, with a particular focus on countering espionage and foreign interference, preventing terrorism, and addressing other significant national security threats.
Location Canberra
ASIO's work includes: - collecting intelligence here and overseas - providing advice to government and industry partners to strengthen public safety - investigating threats - analysing visa applications and other movements of goods and people - reforming data analytics and technology
The ASIO Graduate Lawyer Program is a dynamic 12-month program, showcasing the breadth of legal work that ASIO undertakes and set graduates on a pathway for a career with purpose. The work ranges from providing real time legal advice on ASIO operations, through to legislative reform, administration and corporate law advice, and criminal and civil litigation. This role will offer a diverse range of opportunities providing foundational training and experience as a government lawyer. More information about the program can be found here: https://www.asio.gov.au/careers/entry-level-programs
Fun Fact Prime Minister Ben Chifley established ASIO by charter in 1949. He appointed Justice Geoffrey Reed, a Supreme Court judge, to lead the service. ASIO’s charter empowered the organisation to undertake intelligence activities for the protection of the Commonwealth against espionage, sabotage and subversion. Initially headquartered in Sydney and then Melbourne, ASIO now has offices in all Australian states and territories. The Ben Chifley Building in Canberra has been ASIO’s headquarters since 2014, having been purpose-built to meet the unique requirements of a security intelligence agency. Read more about ASIO's history here: https://www.asio.gov.au/about/history
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Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
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The OAIC are an independent agency within the Attorney-General’s portfolio. Their primary functions are privacy, freedom of information and government information policy. They are headed by the Australian Information Commissioner, who has a range of powers and responsibilities under the AIC Act, and exercises powers under the FOI Act, the Privacy Act and other laws.
Location Sydney
The OAIC’s work includes conducting investigations, handling privacy and information-access complaints, reviewing decisions made under the Freedom of Information Act, monitoring how government agencies administer their obligations, and providing guidance and advice to the public, organisations and government agencies.
OAIC does not offer a formal graduate program however, they do maintain a Temporary Employment Register for when non-ongoing full-time, part-time and casual vacancies arise. Job opportunities are available in each of OAIC's three branches: 1. Dispute Resolution 2. Regulation and Strategy 3. Corporate More information can be found here: https://www.oaic.gov.au/about-us/join-our-team/
Fun Fact The OAIC recently welcomed the first stage of reforms to the Privacy Act 1988 as an important step toward strengthening Australia’s privacy framework. The proposed reforms would expand the OAIC’s enforcement powers by introducing new civil penalties for privacy breaches, require the OAIC to develop a Children’s Online Privacy Code to better protect children using digital platforms, and introduce a statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy. Together, these reforms are intended to address gaps in the existing framework and respond to emerging privacy risks such as doxing.
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Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
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The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Cities has recently merged with the Department of Communications and the Arts to form the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (DITRDC). The DITRDC oversees internet, television, phone, radio and post communications and connectivity across Australia, connecting people.
DITRDC’s work includes providing strategic advice and developing policy, managing government programs and grants, overseeing regulatory matters, and working collaboratively with stakeholders across government, industry and the community.
Location Canberra
DITRDC offers a Graduate Development Program in Canberra. Applicants with degrees in public policy, law, sciences and communications are highly valued. Opportunities may be available across the sectors of aviation, cities, territoties, transport, maritime, post, regional, media technology and communications, corporate, arts and rail. You can find more information here: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/careers/graduate The Indigenous Graduate Pathway Program is available to all First Nations peoples. You will be able to complete one application and be considered for multiple agencies and departments within the Australian Public Service (APS).
Recent Project Aviation White Paper released to strengthen sector towards 2050 The White Paper sets out the Australian Government’s vision for aviation towards 2050 and will deliver a range of initiatives to ensure a safe, competitive, productive and sustainable sector. Extensive consultation with the aviation industry, state and territory governments, and the Australian community has informed the development of 56 policy initiatives to be delivered through the White Paper.
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Department of Defence
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About The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is established under the Defence Act 1903 and is responsible for defending Australia and its national interests. In carrying out this role, the ADF implements the defence policy of the Australian Government and is accountable to the Commonwealth Parliament. The ADF also has a Legal Division that provides legal advice and other legal services to the ADF, the Minister for Defence and the Department of Defence. Fun Fact The Australian Government is acquiring quantum optical atomic clocks from Adelaide-based QuantX Labs to deliver position navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). T wo contracts worth $2.7 million will enable AUKUS partners to develop PNT capabilities to support superior decision advantage and enhanced maritime domain awareness, which are key objectives under AUKUS Pillar II. T he ADF will use the quantum clock to test and evaluate timing in critical defence hardware, like communication and navigation systems, to determine operational resilience in global positioning systems (GPS) degraded environments. Location
Student opportunities
Australia-wide
The ADF offers Defence Civilian Undergraduate Sponsorship to students wishing to pursue a degree through the UNSW Canberra campus at the Australian Defence Force Academy. More information can be found here.
Graduate Opportunities The ADF offers Defence Civilian Undergraduate Sponsorship to students wishing to pursue a degree through the UNSW Canberra campus at the Australian Defence Force Academy. More information can be found here.
Specific Work In various roles employees: Plan advice for the Minister for Defence Develop strategic guidance for the ADF Evaluate information from classified and unclassified sources Work in the Legal Division involves: Providing legal advice, support and services on the management of legal affairs Operations law including humanitarian law
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Department of Veterans' Affairs
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About The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is an Australian Government department that provides support, services and information to veterans and their dependants, current and former Australian Defence Force members, war widows and widowers, Australian participants in British nuclear tests, members of the Australian Federal Police, and students, teachers and historians. Specific Work The DVA provide the following support, services and information: financial support health care rehabilitation mental health care help returning to civilian life commemoration and recognition home care assistance help with housing historical information
Location All major Capital Cities
Graduate Opportunities The DVA offer an 11-month Graduate Development Program comprised of three work placements. Students with degrees in accountancy, commerce, business, finance, law and policy are particularly sought after. Graduates will have the opportunity to work in several business areas, including: Secretary’s office Commemorations and War Graves Division Rehabilitation and Support Division Health and Community Services Division Corporate Division Transformation Division Legal Services, Assurance and Deregulation Branch Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service The Graduate Development Program leads to an offer of permanent work with DVA. More information can be found here: https://www.dva.gov.au/about-us/careers/entry-level-programs/graduatedevelopment-program-gdp. Fun Fact/Recent Project DVA's clients are diverse, ranging from young children, through contemporary veterans of operations in places like Afghanistan, to war widows of First World War servicemen. Darryl Kelly OAM is one such client of DVA. He worked in the Australian Army for 39 years, and was eventually offered the rank of a Major. In 2016, Kelly took 76 Legacy Youth to the battfields of Belgium and France to learn about WWI battles.
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Department of Education Location Canberra
About The Department of Education, Skills and Employment is responsible for national policies and programs that help Australians find and maintain employment and work in safe, fair and productive workplaces. They are responsible for developing the policies and programs under the Australian Government employment services systems, overseeing training programs for employees and providing financial incentives to employers. Specific Work The work of DESE involves: - Ensuring quality, affordable and accessible early education and care for families - Improving schooling outcomes for children - Preparing our future workforce through globally competitive tertiary education, training and research sectors Graduate Opportunities The DOE runs a 10-month graduate program in Canberra with four main career pathways that you can apply for: - Generalist Career Pathway - graduates are involved in polocy development and advice, project and contract management - Legal Career Pathway - graduates work with in-house legal counsel to provide advice across several different areas of law - Economic Career Pathway - graduates conduct economic and labour market research and analysis - Accounting and Financial Management Career Pathway - graduates prepare budgets, provide financial analysis and reporting You can find more information here: https://www.education.gov.au/graduate-and-entry-level-programs/graduateprogram
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Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Location All major cities
About The Department of Industry, Science and Resources aims to drive growth and job creation by facilitating economic transformation and boosting business competitiveness for a more prosperous Australia. Specific Work The Department works to strengthen Australia’s competitiveness and support economic transformation by promoting business, science, innovation and investment. It also develops and delivers policies and programs aimed at reducing emissions, increasing the uptake of renewable energy and helping Australia adapt to climate change. Its work relies heavily on building strong relationships with businesses, entrepreneurs, employees, the scientific community, government agencies, regulators and international partners.
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Student Opportunities There are a number of paid and unpaid research-based student opportunities at the National Measurement Institute. These are mostly for science or engineering students. You can find more information here: https://www.industry.gov.au/about-us/work-with-us/studentopportunities There are also opportunities for students, volunteers and work experience at Questacon. You can find more information here: https://www.questacon.edu.au/science-communication/working-at-q Graduate Opportunities The Department offers a 12-month Graduate Development Program, with an additional optional six-month career transition support program. The graduate program offesr on-the-job learning, formal training and networking opportunities. Graduates will collaborate with other graduates on a major project tackling real-life policy issues, and will learn soft and technical skills There are three streams available: Generalist stream STEM stream Professional services stream - for graduates with backgrounds in ICT, finance, law, communications or HR You can find more information here: https://www.industry.gov.au/about-us/work-with-us/graduatesprogram Fun Fact/Recent Project The Department of Industry, Science and Resources oversees some surprisingly hands-on organisations, including Questacon and the National Measurement Institute (NMI). The NMI maintains Australia’s official measurement standards and helps ensure that things like supermarket scales and petrol pumps give consumers the correct amount for what they pay.
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Fair Work Commission
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Location All capital cities
Location All capital cities About The Commission is Australia’s national workplace relations tribunal. It was established by the Fair Work Act 2009 (Fair Work Act) and is responsible for administering the provisions of the Fair Work Act. Specific Work The Commission’s powers and functions include: dealing with unfair dismissal claims dealing with anti-bullying claims dealing with general protections and unlawful termination claims approving, varying and terminating enterprise agreements promoting cooperative and productive workplace relations and preventing disputes. Graduate Opportunities The Commission maintains a Non-ongoing Temporary Employment Register. Vacancies are available up to 18 months in every capital city. Opportunities may be part-time, full-time or casual. Positions include: Client Services Representative Case Manager Research Officer Conciliator You can find more information here: https://fwc.bigredsky.com/page.php? Associate postitions are also available on a non-ongoing basis of 12-18 months and their main duties include administration, case management, in-court duties and legal research. You can find more information here: https://www.fwc.gov.au/about-us/careers Fun Fact/Recent Project New laws in the Fair Work system from August 2024 From August 2024, the amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 made by the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Act 2024: empower the FWC to deal with applications relating to disputes about the right to disconnect change the definition of casual employment and change the pathway from casual to permanent employment and our role in relation to disputes change the general protections provisions in relation to sham contracting and protected workplace rights give us powers relating to ‘employee-like’ workers performing digital platform work including: the ability to make minimum standards orders dealing with disputes about unfair deactivation from a digital platform
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Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
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About The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry works to strengthen Australia’s agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries. It supports the creation of new export opportunities while maintaining access to existing markets, helping Australian producers compete internationally. The Department also manages biosecurity risks to protect Australia’s multi-billion-dollar agricultural industries, natural environment and way of life. Specific Work The Department works in three major ways: working with Administrative Arrangements Orders, enforcing laws and working with stakeholders, governments and the public.
Location Canberra
Graduate Opportunities The Department offers a graduate program with six career streams to choose from: Generalist Veterinary Science Finance and Accounting Legal Human Resources Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Entry Level Professional Program You can find more information here: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/jobs/graduates
Fun Fact/Recent Project The Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA) has developed forecasting models that analyse changing climates and international trade flows to determine which pests will hit Australia hardest over the coming decades. The CEBRA team analysed border interception data on the brown marmorated stink bug, spongy moth, Asian honeybee, giant African snails and khapra beetles to estimate how many goods consignments they could contaminate. The full report is now available here: https://cebra.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0 005/4968518/21B_final_report.pdf
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Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
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Location Location Canberra, International Canberra, International
About The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) works to make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous by advancing the country's international interests. It provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government, delivers consular and passport services, and maintains Australia’s diplomatic presence overseas. DFAT also works closely with other government agencies to ensure Australia’s global, regional and bilateral priorities are coordinated effectively. Specific Work DFAT officers are involved in: developing and implementing foreign, trade and development policy negotiating international agreements delivering an effective aid program Generalist officers with economic backgrounds are also involved in: negotiating trade agreements managing aid programs to help advance developing country economies working on trade policy and investment issues Generalist officers with legal backgrounds are also involved in: commercial, administrative and international law providing advice on contracts, employment law and diplomatic privileges and immunities
Graduate Opportunities DFAT offers a two-year graduate program based in Canberra. Graduates will complete four work placements. Graduates are able to apply for positions overseas after their first year. There are two programs available: Policy Program Corporate Management Program You can find more information here: https://www.dfat.gov.au/careers/dfat-apscareers/graduate-program/Pages/graduate-program DFAT also offer an Indigenous Graduate Pathway, Indigenous Apprenticeship Programme and Indigenous Australia Development Program. You can find more information here: https://www.dfat.gov.au/careers/dfataps-careers/indigenous-programs/Pages/indigenousprograms
Fun Fact/Recent Project The DFAT is developing a new Labour Mobility and Skills Support Program in Timor-Leste. The program is designed to expand employment opportunities for Timorese workers by strengthening vocational skills, English-language training and pathways into both domestic and international employment. It is also expected to include the design and construction of a Labour Mobility Centre in Dili. DFAT will work with the Timor-Leste Government and other partners to deliver the program, which forms part of Australia’s broader development and regional engagement with TimorLeste. Read more about the program here: https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/businessopportunities/business-notifications/labour-mobility-andskills-program
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Department of Health and Aged Care About The Department of Health develops and delivers policies and programs across health, aged care and sport, while also providing advice to the Australian Government. It works with a wide range of stakeholders to improve health outcomes for Australians. Its key priorities include achieving better health and ageing outcomes, maintaining an affordable and high-quality health and aged care system, and supporting stronger outcomes in Australian sport.
Location All Capital Cities
Specific Work The DOH conducts the following activities: provide information and advice to the Australian community on health, ageing and aged care topics and issues work with stakeholders including members of the public, other government agencies, peak bodies and service providers manage tenders and grants to deliver activities, goods and services work on initiatives and programs to deliver services and activities in health, aged care and sport identify and investigate issues and develop policy to provide the best possible solutions to challenges across health, ageing and aged care, and sport Graduate Opportunities DOH offers a ten-month graduate program in Canberra with three rotations. Graduates help lead and shape Australia's health and ageing systems and sporting outcomes by developing and implementing evidence-based policies and programs across a wide range of issues. DOH value graduates with degrees such as law, economics, communications, commerce, public policy and science. The application process consists of an online assessment, video interview and assessment centre. DOH contributes some financial support towards relocaiotn and temporary accommodation expenses. You can find more information here: https://www.health.gov.au/about-us/work-with-us/graduate-program DOH also mantain a temporary employment register. You can find more information here: https://healthjobs.nga.net.au/cp/index.cfm?event=jobs.jati&returnToEvent=jobs.home&jobID=B2041800-F08C47C4-9B45-AAB900B2B110&audienceTypeCode=EXT&UseAudienceTypeLanguage=1
Fun Fact/Recent Project The Genomics Health Futures Mission is investing $500.1 million in genomic research to improve the testing, diagnosis and treatment of life threatening and untreatable diseases. In 2023-24, the Department of Health and Aged Care engaged Nous Group to review the Genomics Health Futures Mission’s progress in: supporting genomics and genetics research in Australia meeting objectives in the Genomics Health Futures Mission Roadmap and Implementation Plan, and the MRFF’s 10-year Investment Plan and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Strategy. Read the findings here: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/mrff-Review-of-the-Genomics-Health-Futures-Mission? language=en
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Department of Home Affairs
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About On 20 December 2017 the Department of Home Affairs was established as a part of the Home Affairs Portfolio. The Department of Home Affairs continues to deliver immigration and customs border policy functions previously delivered by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. It also includes national security, emergency management and criminal justice functions from the Attorney-Generals Department; the Office of Transport Security from the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development; multicultural affairs from the Department of Social Services; and the counter-terrorism coordination and cyber security policy functions from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Specific Work Employees and graduates can undertake a broad range of work across the organisation. Graduate roles may involve business analysis, cyber security, project management, policy development and implementation, as well as managing communications with stakeholders both within Australia and internationally. Graduate Opportunities The Department of Home Affairs offers a 12 month graduate program. Graduates are given a range of interesting and challenging work, access to professional development, support through various diversity networks and rewarding professional relationships. Graduates are provided with support through an orientation and induction program, a mentor, a range of Graduate events, access to health and wellbeing programs, as well as a team of supervisors, mentors and program managers to assist and guide. Graduates also have exposure to Senior Executive Service (SES) Officers and participate in internal and external activities and events such as: Secretary’s Book Club Location Graduate Project Canberra (limited opportunities available in other Refugee Week Grad Bake-off capital cities) APSC Graduate Events Graduation Ceremony You can find more information here: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/careers/graduate-program Applications open in March each year for the following year.
Fun Fact/Recent Project The Department of Home Affairs oversees the The Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce. The Taskforce offers a coordinated whole of nation suite of services and a streamlined pathway to permanent residency for exceptionally talented individuals and successful high-yield businesses interested in growing their success in Australia.
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Commonwealth Ombudsman
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Location Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
About The Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman safeguards the community in its dealings with the Australian Government. They have oversight of some private sector organisations. If an Australian Government agency has treated you unfairly or unreasonably, the Ombudsman can help you find a solution. Their service is free and they are independent. The Ombudsmand specialises in the following areas: Private Health Insurance Overseas Students VET Student Loans the Postal Industry the Defence Force Immigration Law Enforcement the Australian Capital Territory Ombudsman. Specific Work The Commonwealth Ombudsman does not remake administrative decisions. Instead, it examines how decisions were made and may recommend improvements to the decision-making process or administrative practices. As an independent oversight body, the Ombudsman helps ensure government agencies act fairly and responsibly by handling complaints, conducting investigations and promoting good administration. Graduate Opportunities The Commonwealth Ombudsman does not have a formal graduate program however, graduates can apply for job vacanies or register an expression of interest for short-term temporary employment on the Non-ongoing Employment Register. You can find more information here: https://www.ombudsman.gov.au/what-we-do/careers Fun Fact/Recent Project The Commonwealth Ombudsman Mr Iain Anderson, in his role as the Commonwealth National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), published Access All Areas: Monitoring Places of Detention 2022-23. The report makes 12 recommendations to the Department of Home Affairs to make systemic improvements to how people are treated in immigration detention. Recommendations are aimed at: improving the detention network infrastructure so that people in detention can maintain contact with family and other community and cultural supports ensuring women and transgender individuals can be safely accommodated preventing criminal activities and addressing substance misuse in detention centres improving access to fresh air for those held in isolation, and stopping the use of excessive force against people in detention. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4bohEG5
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Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Location Canberra
About The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) provides high-level advice and support to the Prime Minister, Cabinet, Portfolio Ministers and Assistant Ministers to help coordinate effective policy development and implementation across government. Its work spans areas including economic, domestic and international policy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, and public sector management. PM&C also coordinates government priorities, works with the Australian Public Service Commission to support a highperforming public sector, and consults with government, business, not-for-profit organisations and the broader community. Specific Work The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet operates in five main groups: Economy, Industry and G20 Sherpa Group Social Policy Group National Security and International Policy Group Governance and APS Reform Group Chief Operating Officer Group.
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Graduate Opportunities PM&C offers a 12-month graduate program in Canberra with rotations in various areas: Domestic Policy: Create and coordinate policy solutions for Australia's key economic, social, and environmental issues. Government: Promote consistency across government and coordinate public ceremonies and national honours. International Policy: Contribute to discussions on overseas trade, foreign aid, development, and international security. National Security: Provide advice on border protection and defence initiatives. Office for Women: Collaborate across government to advance gender equality . Regulation: Ensure the proper functioning of society and the economy through government-endorsed rules and compliance. Public Data: Enhance the management, sharing, and publication of public data for the benefit of all Australians. You can find more information here: https://www.pmc.gov.au/pmc/careers/graduatecareers Fun Fact/Recent Project Women's Leadership and Development Program (WLDP) Administered by the Office for Women, WLDP aims to enhance outcomes for Australian women in six priority areas: Women's Job Creation Women's Economic Security Women's Workforce Participation Women's Leadership Women's Safety International Engagement WLDP comprises two grant streams: Project Grants for specific initiatives and Advocacy Grants for establishing civil society networks to amplify women's voices in policymaking.
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Department of Social Services
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Location All major cities About The Department of Social Services (DSS) is responsible for improving the wellbeing of individuals and families in Australian communities. DSS is the Australian Government’s preeminent social policy agency, charged with responsibility for national policies and programs that help deliver a fair and strong policy for all Australians. The department partners with other government and nongovernment organisations to work towards the effective development, management and delivery of payments, policies, programs and services. These uphold the Department’s responsibility for families, communities, housing, social security, and disability services Specific Work DSS is responsible for administering services relating to: Families and children Housing support Seniors Communities and vulnerable people Disability and carers Mental health DSS employees assist with the delivery of programs and services, benefits and payments, and grants for service providers Graduate Opportunities The DSS offers 70-80 spots annually in its graduate program to students of any discipline. This 10-month program includes two five-month rotations and is structured into Generalist, Data & Analysis, Public Affairs Specialist, Legal, and Finance streams. Relevant qualifications are needed for specialist streams. Graduates get access to learning opportunities, networking events, and short-term placements in not-for-profits and Services Australia service centers. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants have a culturally appreciative pathway for streamlined entry. You can find more information here: https://www.dss.gov.au/careers/graduate-development-program Fun Fact/Recent Project The Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1 Bill passed Parliament on 22 August 2024 and received Royal Assent on 6 September 2024, with the reforms commencing on 3 October 2024. The legislation represents the first major step in implementing recommendations from the NDIS Review and is intended to support future improvements to the Scheme. The changes clarify how participants access the NDIS, improve the way participant budgets are set and used, and strengthen the role of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Testimonial Lauren Stinston I’m currently a Generalist graduate at the Commonwealth Department of Social Services (DSS). The program includes Legal and Generalist streams. The Generalist stream involves 2 rotations in social policy: e.g, pensions, family safety, homelessness, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This year, I have worked with stakeholders to improve access to the NDIS for people with mental illness and, while seconded to Centrelink, assessed welfare claims for the many Australians without jobs. I’m currently lucky enough to work in Legal Services, where I work on legislative amendments and provide legal advice to policy areas. I would highly recommend DSS if you are interested in law reform and improving the wellbeing of Australian communities.
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Australian Competition & Consumer Commission Location All capital cities, Townsville About The ACCC enforces the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and related legislation to promote competition, fair trading and the efficient operation of markets. Its work is aimed at protecting consumers, supporting small businesses and preventing anti-competitive conduct, while also helping ensure Australians benefit from competitive prices, better products and greater choice. The ACCC also regulates aspects of national infrastructure, conducts market studies and inquiries, and responds to areas of market failure. The Australian Energy Regulator (AER), which regulates Australia’s national energy markets, operates with an independent board while sharing staff and resources with the ACCC. Specific Work The ACCC comprises a Chair, two Deputy Chairs, and three Commissioners. These officials also chair seven subcommittees, each involving full-time and associate members with specialized expertise. The subcommittees and their functions are: Enforcement Committee: Recommends actions to ensure compliance with the Competition and Consumer Act 2020 (Cth). Mergers Review Committee: Evaluates the impact of mergers and acquisitions on competition. Communications Committee: Addresses regulatory and competition issues. Infrastructure Committee: Oversees issues related to access, price monitoring, transport, and water regulation. Adjudication Committee: Reviews applications for authorizations, exclusive dealing notifications, and trademark applications. Consumer Data Right Committee: Manages the ACCC's role in implementing consumer data rights policy. Compliance and Product Safety Committee: Sets policy direction, makes decisions on law reforms, and oversees compliance and education programs for consumers, small businesses, and product safety.
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Graduate Opportunities The ACCC/AER run a graduate program. Work as a graduate includes: analysing key market sectors assisting in assessing applications for collective bargaining, authorisations and notifications the economic regulation of network infrastructure investigating complaints from business or consumers about possible breaches of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Graduates may be involved in: consumer liaison activities product safety surveys compliance research or a wide range of activities in our Corporate Division. Applications open each year in March. You can find more information here: https://www.accc.gov.au/aboutus/employment-careers/graduateopportunities Fun Fact/Recent Project Collective bargaining The ACCC has the authority to authorise collective bargaining for businesses. In Sepetmber 2020 the ACCC grantied authorised to enable the National Lotteries and Newsagents Association (NLNA) to collectively bargain on behalf of its current and future members with Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (Tabcorp). The ACCC considered that the Proposed Conduct is likely to result in public benefits by providing NLNA members with improved opportunity for input into contracts and some small transaction cost savings relative to a situation where its members negotiate individually with Tabcorp. Authorisation provides legal protection to participate in collective bargaining that may otherwise breach competition laws because it involves joint action by competitors.
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Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)
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Location All Capital Cities
About The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) is an independent statutory authority that supervises institutions across banking, insurance and superannuation, and is accountable to the Australian Parliament. Prudential regulation is concerned with maintaining the safety and soundness of financial institutions, so that the community can have confidence that they will meet their financial commitments under all reasonable circumstances . Specific Work authorised deposit-taking institutions (such as banks, building societies and credit unions) general insurers life insurers friendly societies private health insurers reinsurance companies, and superannuation funds (other than self-managed funds) Student Opportunities APRA offer different scholarships to students studying actuarial studies, finance, economics and similiar. You can find more information here: https://www.apra.gov.au/grants-and-scholarships Graduate Opportunities APRA offer an 18-month graduate program in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Graduates complete three six-month rotations, across the frontline supervision, policy development and data analytics divisions. The graduate program is aimed at students looking to become finance professionals. You can find more information here: https://www.apra.gov.au/apra-graduate-careers Fun Fact/Recent Project APRA is a sponsor of the UNSW Co-op program. This program provides students with financial assistance and the opportunity to gain practical experience through industry placements with employer sponsors. The Co-op program covers a number of disciplines. APRA offers an actuarial placement. More information is available on the UNSW website: https://www.unsw.edu.au/co-op-program
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Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC)
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Specific Work The Chief Legal Office is the primary source of legal advice to the Commission and legal services across ASIC. Employees are involved in the following types of work: providing advice and guidance on complex regulatory matters investigating law reform and new areas of regulatory responsibility for ASIC conducting ASIC’s litigation advising on enforcement matters Location All capital cities About ASIC is Australia's integrated corporate, markets, financial services and consumer credit regulator. ASIC is an independent Australian Government body. They are set up under and administer the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (ASIC Act), and carry out most of their work under the Corporations Act. ASIC's role under the ASIC Act is to: promote confident and informed participation by investors and consumers in the financial system make information about companies and other bodies available to the public as soon as practicable take whatever action necessary to enforce and give effect to the law.
Graduate Opportunities ASIC offer a 24-month graduate program, including: Four rotations in different business areas National graduate induction Professional development provided through a blended learning approach Continuous self-development through professional memberships and access to learning workshops (online & in person) Financial assistance towards further study Flexible and dynamic working environment Lead and participate in a Graduate fundraising project Graduates can rotate through the areas of mathematics, law, finance and information technology. More information can be found here: https://careers.asic.gov.au/Graduate-program.html Fun Fact/Recent Project ASIC is committed to workplace diversity and fostering an inclusive environment where all people, stakeholders and communities are treated with fairness and respect. They have a number of initatives to ensure this, including, an accessibility committee, multicultural committee, parents and carers network, rainbow network reconcilisation committee and women in ASIC committee.
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Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Location All capital cities About The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is Australia's primary revenue collection agency. It manages tax and superannuation systems, collects revenue, administers GST for states and territories, oversees community benefit programs, manages the superannuation system, and maintains the Australian Business Register. The ATO operates under the Public Governance, Performance, and Accountability Act 2013, within the Treasury portfolio, and is accountable under the Public Service Act 1999. Specific Work Legal staff at the ATO are involved in: shaping tax law, policy and design managing litigation cases and clarifying the law managing interpretative advice and guidance enhancing relationships with professional bodies, consultative forums and the community working with other business areas across the ATO to provide advice and clarity on law Student Opportunities The ATO run a program for university students called the University Paid Internship Program (UPIP). Under the program, students have the opportunity to do work that involves research, administration and business support relevant to students studying business, commerce, law, design, economics, project management, information technology, marketing, or statistics. This program gives you: paid work experience in your field of study on a casual contract a competitive APS 2 casual pay rate of $40 per hour a flexible placement to help balance work and university studies professional development and networking opportunities a supportive team environment and dedicated Career Development Manager a potential pathway to the Graduate Program. You can find more information here: https://www.ato.gov.au/careers/graduate-and-entrylevel-programs
••• Graduate Opportunities The ATO offers a graduate program with a taxation stream for law degree holders. In this role, you'll shape tax and superannuation systems by educating individuals on their rights and obligations. Taxation graduates collaborate in teams to: Advise clients and gather information Conduct client engagement activities, including risk reviews and audits Make mitigation strategy recommendations Administer GST Research and analyze tax data and procedures Interpret taxation laws and procedures Manage the superannuation system. The ATO also mainatin a temporary employment register. You can find more information here: https://ato.nga.net.au/cp/index.cfm? event=jobs.listJobs&jobListid=65c825cc-dd76ca27-5ade80445fad992c&CurATC=EXT&CurBID=8F00C52 5-8206-4649-B185-9DB401358C99 Fun Fact/Recent Project Tax Help Tax Help is a network of ATO-trained and accredited community volunteers who provide a free and confidential service to help people earning less than $60,000 per year with simple affairs to complete their tax returns online using myTax. Tax Help volunteers can help people lodge their tax return, make an amendment online or claim a refund of franking credits.
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Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)
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The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is Australia's central bank, operating under the Reserve Bank Act 1959. Its core mission includes maintaining currency stability, full employment, and the economic well-being of Australians. This involves implementing monetary policy to achieve a predefined inflation target, ensuring a robust financial system and efficient payment network, and issuing national banknotes. RBA offers essential banking services to the Australian government, overseas central banks, and official institutions, alongside managing Australia's gold and foreign exchange reserves.
Specific Work RBA is concerned with: Analysing domestic and overseas economic and financial market trends Forecasting, modelling and research relevant to the framing of monetary policy Conducting balance sheet analysis and risk assessment Managing the implementation of monetary policy Location Sydney Fun Fact Strangers in Paradise - Speech by Deputy Governer Andrew Hauser In his speech at the Opening Dinner for the Citi A50 Australian Economic Forum 2024, the Deputy Governer identified three key things that have helped Australia navigate massive changes in the global economic and finanical system: Its unusually diverse range of resource endowments – below ground, in both ‘old world’ and ‘new world’ minerals; above ground, in human capital, agriculture and solar capacity; and beyond the seas, in its geographical position. Its strong but adaptable progrowth institutions – political, legal, macro and microeconomic, and financial stability. Its longstanding welcoming environment for foreign investment.
Student Opportunities The RBA runs an eight week paid Summer Intern Program for university students in their final year of study. Applications are accepted from students in their third year (or equivalent) students majoring in economics, econometrics, finance, data science, legal, actuarial or related areas who intend to complete honours or similar research programs. Students are supported to undertake project work that culminates in a research paper that is presented to peers and senior staff. You can find more information here: https://www.rba.gov.au/careers/careers-at-the-rba/students-andgraduates/summer-intern-program.html Graduate Opportunities The RBA offers a two-year graduate program with rotations. It's open to students with degrees in economics, finance, data science, law, or similar fields. Graduates may complete rotations in the following areas: - Economic Group - Financial Markets Group - Payments Policy - Financial Stability - Risk and Compliance - Note Issue Graduates with strong microeconomics and legal backgrounds are especially sought after for Payments Policy, supporting the Payments System Board's oversight in Australia. Additionally, there are graduate programs in accounting, audit, and payments settlements. You can find more information here: https://www.rba.gov.au/careers/careers-at-the-rba/students-andgraduates/
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Treasury
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The Treasury is the Australian Government’s central economic policy agency and provides advice to support sound decision-making, sustainable economic growth and responsible fiscal management. Its work spans areas including the economy, federal budget, taxation, financial services, foreign investment, superannuation, housing affordability, small business and international economic policy. Treasury also works closely with state and territory governments on major policy issues and helps manage federal financial relations.
Location Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth Fun Fact In 2022, The Hon Jim Chalmers MP, as Treasurer and Interim Minister of Home Affairs exercised his power under seaction 195A of the Migration Act 1958, to intervence in the case of the Murugappan family. The effect of his intervention enabled the family to return to Biloela, where they can reside lawfully in the community on bridging visas while they work towards the resolution of their immigration status, in accordance with Australian law.
Specific Work The Treasury is organized into five groups: Fiscal: Advises on budget, major expenditures, taxation policy, and retirement income. Macroeconomic: Provides advice on financial system security and corporate practices. Revenue: Monitors economic conditions, advises on macroeconomic policy, and assesses prospects. Markets: Offers advice on taxation and retirement income policies and assists with implementation. Corporate & Foreign Investment: Provides strategic advice and services to the department, portfolio Ministers, and agencies in areas such as IT, communications, finance, and risk management. Graduate Opportunities The Treasury offers a two-year graduate program in Canberra. Students with degrees in economics, law, business, finance, public policy, political science and mathematics are encouraged to apply. Successful graduates will undertake 3 word rotations, as well as specialist learning and development workshops and activities. Graduates contribute to policy development in areas such as financial services, fiscal policy, foreign investment, tax policy and structural reform to support growth in living standards. As well as academic qualifications, the Treasury looks for graduates with highly-developed written and oral communication skills, strong analytical and people skills, and individuals who demonstrate initiative, honesty, fairness and respect. You can find more information here: https://graduates.treasury.gov.au/
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Australian Defence Force
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The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is Australia’s military organisation, comprising the Navy, Army and Air Force. Its core role is to defend Australia, its borders, people, values and way of life. The ADF also supports a wide range of operations, including international security and counter-terrorism activities, border protection, humanitarian and peacekeeping missions, disaster relief, and the protection of maritime trade routes that are vital to Australia’s economy.
Specific Work Legal Officers in the Australian Army Legal Corps work in the broad fields of disciplinary, administrative, operations, civil and commercial law as well as dealing with legal aid requirements.
Location Adelaide, Albury/Wodonga, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Kapooka, Melbourne, Perth, Puckapunyal, Sydney and Townsville. Fun Fact Defence Force lawyers can be deployed alongside military commanders on exercises and operations, where they provide realtime advice on issues such as the law of armed conflict, international law and rules of engagement. This means legal officers can help commanders determine what actions are legally permitted during an operation, including the lawful use of force. The ADF also trains legal officers specifically in operational law so they can advise commanders while deployed.
Legal Officers also have military training in leadership, command and control, unit and personnel administration, basic military skills and the ideals of officer behaviour.
Student Opportunities The Army offers sponsorship for students studying certain degrees, including law. Students can join the ADF and have their fees paid for, earn a salary and be guaranteed a graduate job after completing their studies. In return, students are expected to one to four weeks of training each year during univerisyt holidays, and commit to full-time service for the number of years of university sponsorship plus one year (with a minimum of three years' service). You can find more information here: https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/study-and-trades/get-a-degree/DUS? qualifying-courses=business-education-and-other-degrees
Graduate Opportunities Graduates with degrees in areas including law can apply for an Officer role through Graduate Entry. You will receive further training and postgraduate study opportunities in the ADF. Law graduates will study administrative law, discipline law, operations law and military practice law, and will be awarded a Graduate Certificate in Military Law and Master of Military Law. Graduates can choose whether to pursue a career in the Navy, Army or Air Force. You can find more information here: https://www.adfcareers.gov.au/study-and-trades/use-a-degree
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Australian Federal Police
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The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is a versatile law enforcement agency dedicated to enhancing Australia's security, both domestically and internationally. Prioritizing counter-terrorism and national security, the AFP also places significant emphasis on fostering international relations to facilitate cross-border crime prevention. Collaborating with the Australian Government and various agencies, the AFP spearheads efforts in counterterrorism, crime prevention, and capacity-building initiatives. Additionally, the AFP offers a wide array of investigative support, security risk management, vetting, and information services to aid the public.
Specific Work Lawyers are responsible for the provision of high quality, cost effective in-house professional legal services that directly support the operational law enforcement activities of the AFP.
Location Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne.
Fun Fact AFP warning over passenger ‘air rage’ at Australian airports The AFP is warning passengers that offensive, violent and disruptive behaviour, including incidents of ‘airrage’ will not be tolerated in the air or on the ground, as passenger numbers increase during the busy school holiday travel period. The passenger behaviour warning comes as AFP officers increase patrols across Australian airports as part of the school holiday travel period, ensuring all passengers safely depart and arrive at their travel destinations. In the past seven months, the AFP has responded to 748 incidents relating to public disturbances, intoxication and offensive behaviour at its airports.
This may include: Providing advice to investigators on Commonwealth powers and offences Providing support to large scale and long running operations Reviewing and updating operational procedures based on Commonwealth legislation Providing advice on international and inter-jurisdictional operational issues Providing advice on and support to the conduct of prosecutions, including sufficiency of evidence, disclosure and protection of sensitive information
Graduate Opportunities The AFP run a 12 month graduate program providing permanent, fulltime employment in specialist or support roles, working in a variety of areas and playing a key role in helping the AFP stay a step ahead of crime. At the end of the program, you will continue to work in the area that recruited you. Graduates with law degrees are encouraged to apply. Legal graduates will undertake at least three rotations in areas including: Criminal assets Litigation Legislation Organised crime Industrial relations You can find more information here: https://jobs.afp.gov.au/jobopportunities/graduate-program
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Legal Aid NSW
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Legal Aid NSW, the largest legal aid commission in Australia, has been serving socially and economically disadvantaged individuals throughout NSW since 1979. Originally named the Legal Services Commission, it became the Legal Aid Commission of NSW in 1987 and was renamed Legal Aid NSW in 2006. With over 1,300 staff, they offer legal assistance in criminal, family, and civil law, operating through 25 offices, two satellite offices, 243 outreach locations, and a free legal helpline, LawAccess NSW.
Specific Work Legal Aid provides legal services across most areas of criminal, family and civil law. Its work includes giving legal advice over the phone, providing one-off assistance with legal issues and simple documents, representing clients in court as duty lawyers, delivering workshops and webinars, and contributing to law reform and policy development.
Location Across NSW
Fun Fact Duty Lawyer Service Legal Aid have lawyers at all local courts in NSW, as well as some other courts and tribunals, called duty lawyers. Duty lawyers help people who have a matter at court that day who do not have their own lawyer. Duty lawyers can: - give you advice about your matter - explain what might happen in court about your matter - help you to get an adjournment (to put off your matter to a later date, so you have time to get legal advice) - talk to the court/tribunal or other parties on your behalf - speak for you in court in most criminal matters.
Graduate Opportunities Legal Aid offers unpaid PLT placements to graduates, requiring a commitment of 80 days, either part-time or full-time. PLT students engage in: Assisting legal officers in effective legal practice. Conducting file work and legal research. Collaborating with practice staff (legal officers and admin). Adhering to the Legal Aid Commission Act, policies, and standards. Completing administrative and case management tasks. Applicants must possess knowledge of issues related to delivering legal services to disadvantaged individuals and familiarity with relevant court procedures, Legal Aid Commission policies, and procedures. You can find more information here: https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers
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NSW Public Service Commission
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The PSC plays a pivotal role in formulating and executing workforce management strategies, ensuring the NSW public sector remains equipped to provide top-notch services. It develops exemplary workforce models, overseeing their adoption across public sector entities in NSW. Regular assessments are provided via reporting, tracking the sector's progress. Reporting to the NSW Premier, the PSC maintains its vital function.
Location Sydney
Testimonial I spent most of my time in university hoping to serve the community, so I was keen to become a lawyer under a tailored program with the NSW Government. Currently, I work within the Department of Premier and Cabinet as part of the Constitutional, Elections and Inquiries Team. My work involves speaking to clients, writing correspondence, drafting legal advice, coordinating the return of papers to parliament and responding to GIPA applications. One of my highlights has been to help brief the Premier on relevant legal issues related to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. - Michael Siciliano
Specific Work PSC employees are responsible for: Identify reform opportunities for the government sector workforce Lead the strategic development and management of the government sector workforce in relation to workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, equity and diversity etc Advise the Government on leadership structure for the government sector. Advise the Government on appropriate strategies, policies and practices in relation to the structure of the government sector workforce. Graduate Opportunities The NSW Public Service Commission administers the NSW Government Graduate Program. Over 18 months, graduates rotate through various government departments, including the Department of Communities and Justice and the Department of Premier and Cabinet. In the Legal Stream, graduates aid senior solicitors in litigation, policy work, and advice across the NSW public sector. They earn a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and engage in: • Research and analysis • Project delivery monitoring and reporting • Litigation support (e.g., drafting affidavits or briefs) • Legal issue explanation and client advice • Assistance with projects, policies, and program initiatives • Collaborative work across public sector agencies. You can find more information here: https://www.psc.nsw.gov.au/workforce-management/recruitment/nswgovernment-graduate-program
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NSW Crown Solicitor’s office
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The CSO is the largest provider of legal services to state government agencies in NSW. The CSO has expertise in Government Law, Constitutional & Administrative Law, Child Protection, Commercial Law, Community Law, Property & Native Title, Public Safety & Justice, Regulatory & Environment, Employment Law & Industrial Relations, Inquiries, Torts Law (Justice/Law Enforcement Agencies), Torts (Service/Regulatory Agencies)
Location Sydney
Fun Fact The CSO represents NSW government agencies in inquiries. The Royal Commission investigated child sexual abuse responses in churches, schools, sports, and government bodies. The Crown Solicitor represented NSW in hearings related to: - Performing Arts Centers (Australian Institute of Music and RG Dance) - Catholic and Anglican church authorities - Criminal justice issues in institutional child sexual abuse cases (including evidence admissibility) - Sporting clubs (including NSW Institute of Sport).
Specific Work The form of work varies based on the practice group that employees work within, but includes: advising on and drafting of intergovernmental agreements providing advice on a range of legislation education seminars and training Providing legal advice and assistance for major government policy and legislative initiatives Advising on major agency procurements and reforms Ensuring regulatory compliance Representation in inquisitorial proceedings, including coronial inquests, royal commissions, special commissions of inquiry and standing commissions. Student Opportunities The CSO offer approximately 50 paralegal positions to students still completing their degree. Many students then go on to participate in the Graduate Program. Positions are available for high achieiving law students who have completed at least two years of their law degree. Paralegals are assigned to a practice group and are responsible for providing legal and administrative support to solicitors and other team members. You can find more information here: https://cso.nsw.gov.au/careers/students-and-graduates.html
Graduate Opportunities CSO run a two-year graduate program. Graduates complete six-monthly rotations across four practice groups. Graduates may be involved in assisting with litigation, providing advice to clients and attending mediation with the purpose of the program being to train participants as government solicitors. You can find more information here: https://cso.nsw.gov.au/careers/students-and-graduates.html
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NSW Department of Community and Justice
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Since July 1, 2019, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) merged the former departments of Family and Community Services and Justice in NSW. DCJ aims to enhance community safety, justice, inclusivity, and resilience. DCJ focuses on achieving just outcomes for children and young people, Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people experiencing domestic and family violence, victims of sexual assault, juvenile offenders, people at high risk of reoffending, and people experiencing homelessness
Location Sydney
Fun Fact DCJ fund the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment program. MERIT is a program available in most Local Courts in New South Wales that provides the opportunity for adult defendants with substance abuse problems to work, on a voluntary basis, towards rehabilitation as part of the bail process. The MERIT program allows defendants to focus on treating their drug or alcohol problem in isolation from legal matters and is focused on rehabilitation and reduced recidivism.
Specific Work The work of employees is varied, and may include: providing resources to service providers connecting victims of family and domestic violence to support services helping applicants of rental assistance or social housing assisting with the oversight of corrective services and Youth Justice centres connecting victims of crimes to support services legal services including advising the government on law, justice and legal reforms, providing legal, professional and regulatory services, and administering the appointment of Justices of the Peace (JPs) in NSW Student Opportunities DCJ offer summer clerkships to students in their penultimate or final year of law school. Clerks are involved in: - preparing briefing notes for the Attorney General and other Strong Communities cluster Ministers; - liaising with stakeholders; - conducting in-depth analysis on proposed Bills or policy reform from other Ministers; - writing speeches; - attending meetings; - working with other Government Departments; and - conducting research. Applicants must demonstrate interest in, and an understanding of, the work of the DCJ, and experience that would enable you to contribute to the Department. You can find more information here: https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/legal-andjustice/laws-and-legislation/policy-reform-and-legislation/summerclerkship.html
Graduate Opportunities Graduates can undertake a rotation with the Department of Communities and Justice through the NSW Government Graduate Program, run by the NSW Public Service Commission
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NSW Law Reform Commission
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The NSW Law Reform Commission advises the Government on legal issues referred by the Attorney General. They analyze these issues and suggest legislative changes. Their goals include: Modernizing and improving the law Simplifying and consolidating the law Removing inefficiencies and defects Repealing unnecessary and obsolete laws Enhancing access to justice
To identify law issues and reforms, they conduct extensive research, engage with stakeholders and experts, and seek public input through consultation papers on their website, welcoming submissions from anyone.
Location Sydney
Fun Fact Review of religious exemptions in Anti-discrimination Legislation Anti-discrimination laws at federal, state, and territory levels often grant religious institutions exemptions to uphold their beliefs and practices. The Australian Government has tasked the Australian Law Reform Commission with evaluating the potential limitation or removal of these exemptions while ensuring religious institutions can adhere to their ethos. Additionally, the government wants a review of laws hindering the expression of the belief in marriage as between a man and a woman. In 2022, Religious Freedom Bills lapsed due to the parliamentary term ending, and the ALRC is awaiting further instructions on this inquiry from the Attorney-General.
Specific Work The process of making law reform recommendations includes: researching the law conducting literature reviews releasing consultation papers which provide background information, discuss key issues, and present options for reform review submissions to gauge what people think about the law conduct face to face consultations with with members of the community who are affected by the law, interest groups, experts, NGOs, and Government agencies. Student Opportunities The NSWLRC run a four-week paid internship program in July/August for one-two law students each year. The program is available for students in their penultimate or final year of study. Interns work on projects of the NSWLRC and NSW Sentencing Council. Depending on the reference interns can be involved in undertaking research, contributing to drafting consultation documents, assisting with consultation processes, or helping draft reports. The Commission and Council credit the contribution of interns in their published papers. You can find more information here: https://lawreform.nsw.gov.au/internship-program.html
Graduate Opportunities NSWLRC does not have a Graduate Program, but students interested in their work should consider applying for the NSW Government Graduate Program, run by the NSW Public Service Commission
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Council of Law Reporting for NSW
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The Council of Law Reporting for NSW was established under the Council of Law Reporting Act 1969. The Council’s overall goal is the efficient reporting of judicial decisions in NSW, primarily for use by the legal profession and the judiciary. The Council is responsible for selecting cases to be published in the NSW Law Reports. The Council is comprised of: the Attorney General the Solicitor General the President of the New South Wales Bar Association the President of the Law Society of New South Wales seven members of the legal profession appointed by the Governor: five barristers nominated by the NSW Bar Association and two solicitors nominated by the Law Society of NSW.
Specific Work The process of publishing cases in the NSWLR involves: considering judgements and decisions of superior courts in NSW and identifying those that will be significant in the development, interpretation and/or application of the law in NSW drafting headnotes for each case verifying judgements, including checking citations, quotations and references Location Sydney Fun Fact The first systematic attempt to prepare reports of the Court began in 1828, when James Dowling, a barrister and accomplished law reporter from England, took up an appointment as a judge of the Court and published his own decisions. Prior to 1862 the only source of court reporting in New South Wales was provided by colonial newspapers. Continuous law reporting in New South Wales began in 1863 with reports prepared by two barristers, based largely on newspaper reports. For the period prior to 1828, the only readily available source of court reports is the Macquarie University Division of Law website. The Council was established in 1963.
Student Opportunities The Council offers paid positions as Legal Admin Assistants. The work only requires a commitment of half a day per week, and is ideal for law students. Students must have completed at least one year of law school to apply. Duties of admin assistants include: - data entry and management - Updating the NSWLR website when new cases are selected - Keeping case selection statistics and provide details to the General Manager for reporting to the Council. - Conducting twice yearly audits of Caselaw to check that all decisions have been received. - Monitoring the status of appeals in cases selected as reportable. - Compiling materials such as appeal lists, judicial movements etc for the covers of the bound volumes.
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Department of Premier and Cabinet The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) in NSW leads the public sector to fulfill government commitments. DPC supports the Premier and Ministers by:
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Coordinating policy, projects, and reforms to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Partnering with various sectors for timely, budget-friendly service delivery. Aligning initiatives and managing legislation for government targets. Supporting major projects and planning state events. Collaborating with federal and state/territory governments for national reforms.
Location Sydney
Specific Work DPC is made up of five groups: 1.Strategy and Delivery - provide analysis and advice to the Premier 2.Transformation - future planning and preparing NSW for changes 3.Community Engagement - improve culture and divesity 4.Office of the Genera Counsel - develop and implement policy reforms within the Premier's portfolio, manage litigation and legal services 5.People - planning and delivering strategies across finance, IT, people and culture, projects and performance, and workplaces
Graduate Opportunities Graduates can undertake a rotation with the Department of Premier and Cabinet through the NSW Government Graduate Program, run by the NSW Public Service Commission. For more information visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/premiers-department/careers/kick-start-your-career
Fun Fact Premier's Priorities The NSW Premier is committed to 12 key priorities to make NSW a better place to live and work. In addition, the NSW Government has 18 state priorites for the state to grow the economy, deliver infrastructure, protect the vulnerable, and improve health, education and public services across NSW. The current policies aim to achieve: A strong economy Highest quality education Well connected communities with quality local environments Putting customer at the centre of everything we do Breaking the cycle of disadvantage
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Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions
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The Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) is an independent prosecution service established by Parliament to prosecute alleged offences against Commonwealth law. It aims to provide an effective, ethical and high-quality prosecution service in accordance with the Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth. Although the CDPP sits within the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s portfolio, it operates independently from the Attorney-General and the political process when making prosecution decisions.
Location All Capital Cities, Townsville, Cairns
Fun Fact The CDPP is committed to educating the community about Commonwealth criminal law and the consequences of breaking it. They do this by promoting the outcome of successful prosecutions through case reports and promoting sentences imposed through the media. Their aim is to: - Explain the role and work of the CDPP. - Raise awareness of the range and complexity of crime. - Publicise consequences of breaking Commonwealth Law. - Send a strong message of deterrence. - Build public confidence in the justice system.
Specific Work Lawyers at the CDPP are involved in litigation across a variety of practice areas: Fraud and money laundering Commercial Serious drugs People smuggling and human trafficking Child exploitation Counter terrorism Environment Cybercrime and cyberbullying Lawyers at the CDPP are also involved in extradition and mutual assistance work where they assist in the investigation and prosecution of transnational and international crime. Lawyers employed at the CDPP further assist with publications, law reform work and maintain a limited role in criminal confiscation.
Graduate Opportunities The CDPP does not have a graduate program however, if you are interested in federal criminal practice, you should consider applying for the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department graduate program, which involves crime prevention work.
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Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
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The NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) prosecutes serious criminal offences under NSW law on behalf of the community. It also prosecutes all child sexual assault offences in NSW and criminal proceedings against NSW police officers, whether or not those offences are indictable. The ODPP handles around 18,000 matters each year, including committal proceedings in the Local and Children’s Courts, trials in the District and Supreme Courts, appeals in the District Court, Court of Criminal Appeal and High Court, and other criminal hearings in the Local and Children’s Courts.
Specific Work Solicitors are responsible for preparing the brief of evidence, liaising with the police and witnesses, organising conferences and any exhibits, and assisting the Crown Prosecutor at trial. Location Sydney
Recent Project The ODPP's Witness Assistance Service (WAS) provides a range of support services and information to vulnerable witnesses to reduce as much as possible the extra stress of being involved in a serious legal matter. WAS officers are social workers, psychologists or counsellors who understand both trauma and how the criminal justice system works. WAS officers can support witnesses in preparing to give evidence, preparing victim impact statements and can provide court updates and debriefs.
Crown Prosecutors appear in court, settle and determine the appropriate charges, and provide legal advice to the Director on a wide range of issues, including whether there is sufficient evidence to justify proceeding with a particular prosecution or whether the proceedings should be terminated.
Student Opportunities UNSW students can intern at the ODPP when completing a course that requires them to undertake a placement. Students must apply for an internship through the myLaw website. You can find more information here: https://www.odpp.nsw.gov.au/careers/work-experience
Graduate Opportunities The ODPP offer a graduate program for students who have completed the coursework component of their PLT. The Legal Development Program is a full-time paid program that runs for 12 months. Graduates are given the opportunity to develop and enhance: Organisational skills Analytical skills Legal research skills Legal drafting and written communication Knowledge of criminal law, practice and procedure Communication skills Teamwork skills. You can find more information here: https://www.odpp.nsw.gov.au/careers/legal-development-program
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Law Enforcement Conduct Commission
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The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) was established in 2017 as a permanent independent investigative commission to provide oversight of the NSW Police Force and NSW Crime Commission. LECC replaces the Police Integrity Commission (PIC) and the Police Compliance Branch of the NSW Ombudsman with a single oversight body with two clearly defined functions: detecting and investigating misconduct and corruption, and overseeing complaints handling.
Specific Work The primary role of the LECC is to detect, oversight, investigate and expose misconduct and maladministration within the NSW Police Force and the NSW Crime Commission. This includes:
Location Sydney
- publishing investigation reports - referring matters to the NSW Police Force or Crime Commission - identifying problems in the systems, practices and procedures of those agencies that might lead to such misconduct or maladministration - monitoring the investigation of critical incidents (incidents involving a police officer that result in death or serious injury).
Graduate Opportunities LECC have a specialist legal team, headed by General Counsel, that is responsible for the delivery of all corporate and legal services to the Commission. LECC do not have a formal graduate program, but interested students can have a look at current vacancies: https://www.lecc.nsw.gov.au/connect-with-us#518a2431-d843-4ffc-80ca-e8ad2c768093 Recent Project Operation Tusket, initiated in 2017 by the Commission, delved into the NSW Police Force's handling of the NSW Child Protection Register. This database houses personal information of individuals convicted of specific childrelated offenses. Offenders are mandated to report their details to the police for a designated period. The investigation exposed longstanding issues with the Register spanning 17 years. These problems included child sex offenders evading police monitoring, unlawful requirements for personal information reporting, and wrongful convictions, sometimes leading to unlawful imprisonment under the CPOR Act.
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Police Prosecutors
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Police Prosecutors are responsible for the prosecution of criminal proceedings, applications for apprehended domestic violence orders and other associated application proceedings in the Local Court and Children’s Court of NSW. Appeals filed in the District Court, Supreme Court or Court of Criminal Appeal connected with prosecutions in the Local or Children’s Court are generally handled by the NSW DPP.
Location Across NSW
Specific Work Police prosecutors provide legal advice to all levels of the NSW Police Office. Often this involves supporting major operations and serious crime investigations with strategic legal advice. Units within the Police Prosecutions Command include: Coroners Court Operational Legal Advice Unit Covert Applications Unit Exewcutive Legal Supoport Unit Prosecution Support Unit
Graduate Opportunities Police Prosecutions Command recruit police officers and law students (through the Accelerated Prosecutor Recruitment Program - APRP) with the aptitude to become police prosecutors. Under the APRP, the NSW Police Force is now recruiting law graduates and fast tracking them into prosecuting. You can find more information here: https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/about_us/organisational_structure/units/police_prosecutions_command
Fun Fact Officer charged after investigation A serving police officer has been charged following an investigation by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). Following inquiries, LECC requested the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) review their brief of evidence in relation to an alleged incident on Wednesday 24 February 2021.The constable – attached to the Central Metropolitan Region – is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 17 November 2022, for the offence of fabricate false evidence with intent to mislead judicial tribunal.
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Public Defenders
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Public Defenders are available to represent clients charged with serious criminal offences anywhere in New South Wales, if they have been granted legal aid. Public Defenders are appointed by the Governor in Council. The Governor usually acts upon the advice of the Attorney General, who is authorised by Cabinet to give the Governor such advice. A Public Defender appointed by the Governor has tenure and can only be removed from office as a result of incompetence, misconduct, bankruptcy and mental illness.
Location Across NSW
Specific Work Represent accused persons in District Court and Supreme Court trials. Handle arraignments and sentence matters in District Court and Supreme Court. Handle some murder committals in the Local Court. Handle appeals in the Court of Criminal Appeal and the High Court. Contribute to legal reform through submissions to the Attorney General and committee participation within the criminal justice system. Promote legal education through lectures, seminars, papers, and student/new barrister work experience. Provide guidance to solicitors and Bar members on criminal law practice and procedure and offer representation throughout New South Wales.
Student Opportunities UNSW students can intern at the Public Defenders Officer for course credit. Students must apply for an internship through the myLaw website.
Consideration will be given to exceptional students wishing to do the work experience component of their practical legal training with Public Defenders. Note that this is unpaid work. You can find more information here: https://publicdefenders.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers/internships.html
Graduate Opportunities The Public Defender's Office offers paid work experience for Aboriginal law graduates through the Aboriginal Law Graduates Program. The program aims to fulfill practical training requirements for solicitor or barrister practice or other legal roles. Availability of the program is contingent on annual funding from the Attorney General's Department and the presence of suitable candidates. Candidates are nominated by their law lecturers through the University's Dean of Law or via the NSW Bar Association's Equal Opportunity program in coordination with the respective Dean of Law. You cand find more information here: https://publicdefenders.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers/internships.html
Recent Project The RLC program is available for in-house legal aid matters where there is no co-accused and no fitness issues. It aims to resolve trial matters by early case management, thus reducing the time taken from committal to finalisation and addressing some of the factors leading to the backlog of cases in the NSW District Court. Counsel are typically briefed earlier than in other metropolitan courts, and the ongoing working relationships between them and their respective instructing solicitors from Legal Aid NSW and the ODPP leads to a more efficient disposition of matters. This level of professional trust and communication enables issues in a trial or sentence matter to be identified at an earlier stage. It saves time and expense if the matter can be resolved before trial by an early plea of guilty or appropriate charge modification.
Chapter 3 Communities and NGOs
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Aboriginal Legal Service
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The Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) was established in 1970 as Australia’s first dedicated free legal service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It was created in response to the discriminatory impact of laws and legal systems following dispossession and has played an important role in challenging systemic injustice. Today, the ALS operates as an independent non-government organisation providing culturally appropriate legal information, referrals, advice and court representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across NSW and the ACT.
Graduate Opportunities ALS offer PLT placements to graduates to assist in the work in criminal law, care and protection and family law practice areas. For Practical Legal Training placements in the 'Crime' Practice, contact Sheri Misaghi: sheri.misaghi@alsnswact.org.au
Specific Work Areas of practice: Family law Criminal law Care and protection law Tenancy (ALS run the Western Aboriginal Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service and Greater Sydney Tenants Advice Service)
For Practical Legal Training placements in the 'Care and Protection' and 'Family' Practice, contact Brittany Tilden: brittany.tilden@alsnswact.org.au
Type of work done by employees: Legal advice Referrals Legal representation
The Student Legal Volunteer Program allows students to work closely with ALS Solicitors and staff to understand the workings of a Criminal law or a Children’s Care and Protection Law practice in an Aboriginal community organisation setting.
Location Across NSW & ACT
Student Opportunities The ALS have opportunites for student volunteers to help with research, law reform, human resources, campaigns, communications and IT.
Student legal volunteers can receive hands-on training in: Legal research Drafting submissions, letters and Court documents Attending Court with Solicitors, Preparing briefs for Counsel and much more
All ALS offices have the capacity to manage Student Legal Volunteers. You can find more information here: https://www.alsnswact.org.au/volunteer
Fun Fact Peak organisations for Aboriginal children and legal services have accused the NSW Government of continuing to drag its feet on urgent reforms to the child protection system, while caseworkers remove Aboriginal children from their families at 10.5 times the rate of non-Indigenous children. “Almost five years since its release, the NSW Government is still yet to make a public commitment to all recommendations of the Family Is Culture Review. The urgent need to overhaul this harmful system is undeniable. Every day of delay is a day too many for our children, who continue to suffer from these longstanding failures,” John Leha, CEO of AbSec – NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation said. Joint Media Release: Child protection gap widens as NSW Government delays Aboriginal-led reforms
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Arts Law Centre of Australia
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The Arts Law Centre of Australia is a national non-profit community legal centre that provides free or low-cost specialist legal advice, education and resources to artists and arts organisations. Its work focuses on helping creative communities understand and protect their legal rights, including in areas such as contracts, copyright, intellectual property and employment. The Centre aims to strengthen Australia’s arts and cultural sector by making legal support more accessible to artists and creative practitioners.
Student Testimonial As a pro bono solicitor at Arts Law, I speak with clients every single day on the phone, learn about the fascinating creative projects they are pursuing and help them solve their legal queries, often at zero financial cost to them. The work is as varied as the creative ideas and projects that the artists wish to pursue – whether that’s helping an emerging Australian musician draft their first contract with a record label, advise a writer pitching their screenplay to Netflix or assist an Indigenous artist to retain their rights to a public artwork they are installing in the CBD! Samuel Lee Student Opportunities Students can volunteer at Arts Law as either an administration assistant or research assistant. Student volunteers play a valuable role supporting the solicitors in the provision of legal advice. They are the first point of contact for clients and are tasked with providing information and taking accurate legal instructions. Volunteers may also conduct legal research for the solicitors, get involved with advocacy projects, sit in on legal advice sessions as note-takers, as well as assist with the general administration of a legal centre. Note that volunteers must have completed intellectual property or media law subjects and have a strong interest in the arts. You can find more information here, including expressions of interest: https://www.artslaw.com.au/support/volunteer/
Specific Work The Centre specialises in Arts Law, including: Business structures, governance and tax Classification Confidentiality Contracts Wills and estates Type of work done by employees: Legal telephone advice Review of documentation Referrals
Location Sydney Fun Fact Research conducted by the Arts Law Centre of Australia estimates that as much as 80 per cent of First Nations arts and crafts in tourist shops are inauthentic.
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Australian Centre for Disability Law
The Australian Centre for Disability Law advocates for the rights of people with disabilities by offering free legal advice, representing them in discrimination cases, and striving to remove barriers, eliminate discrimination, and empower individuals. Their vision is a society where people with disabilities live with dignity, their rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled. They achieve this through specialized legal assistance, education, and policy reform.
Specific Work Employees undertake work including: Legal advice and referrals Casework and representation Law reform and projects Replying to feedback and complaints
Location Sydney Recent Project Talk Up! The Talk Up Project is about empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability to know and understand their legal rights, through the creation and delivery of educational resources and workshops. It has 3 phases: Listening – getting out into community and listening to what legal problems Aboriginal people with disability are facing. Resource Building – Working together with community to build resources that help people to understand their rights and how they can navigate the legal problems they’re facing. Delivery – Gifting resources back to the community and running workshops to enhance legal knowledge and empower people to know and use their rights.
Student Opportunities ACDL offers volunteering opportunities to students in their final year and to graduates. Volunteers must be able to commit to two days per week for at least six months. ACDL relies on volunteers to managee the Advice Hotlines and support the legal staff in giving advice and undertaking case work. Other volunteer duties include assisting with: Providing legal advice Providing referrals Casework and legal advocacy including drafting complaints, participating in conciliations, legal research and litigation You can find more information here: https://disabilitylaw.org.au/about/staff-and-volunteers/ Expressions of interest can be forwarded to recruitment@disabilitylaw.org.au
Graduate Opportunities Volunteer work can be counted towards PLT requirements and is available to graduates as well as final year students. Alternatively, job vacancies can be found here: https://disabilitylaw.org.au/about/jobs/
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Environmental Defenders Office
Established in 1985, the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific. They work to protect the climate, communities, and shared environment by providing access to justice, running groundbreaking litigation and leading law reform advocacy. EDO works all around Australia, with farmers, conservation groups, Traditional Owners, individuals in rural and metropolitan areas.
Location Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide, Darwin and Perth Specific Work The EDO's work includes: Holding government and industry to account over matters like development, pollution and environmental mismanagement Representing community groups in public interest litigation; Designing and advocating for stronger state and federal environmental laws; Offering expert legal and scientific advice to people and communities; Providing workshops, factsheets, handbooks, and other legal tools to help all Australians understand the law and participate in legal processes
Student Opportunities Student volunters take part in: Legal research on matters concerning biodiversity, climate change, pollution, planning, mining and water law Assisting in the preparation of court documents and drafting letters and legal advices Students must have studied planning and/or environmental law. Volunteers must be able to commit at least one day per week for at least three months.
Graduate Opportunities Legal volunteering can count towards PLT requirements. Graduates must have completed planning and/or environmental law units. You can find more information at: edo.org.au/volunteer-with-us-2/
Recent Project The NSW Land and Environment Court ruled in favour of the Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action (BSCA) (represented by EDO), which determined that the NSW Environment Protection Authority has a duty to take serious action on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. It is the first time that an Australian Court has ordered a government to take meaningful action on climate change. The court's ruling means that the EPA has been ordered to develop environmental quality objectives guidelines and policies to ensure protection from climate change.
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Central Tablelands and Blue Mountains Community Legal Centre
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(previously Elizabeth Evatt Community Legal Centre)
Central Tablelands and Blue Mountains Community Legal Centre (CTBMCLC) is a not for profit organisation providing free legal advice to people in the Blue Mountains, Oberon, Lithgow, Bathurst and Orange regions. They auspice two programs: the Blue Mountains Tenants' Advice and Advocacy Service (BMTAAS), providing advice, advocacy and representation to tenants in the Blue Mountains, and the Cooperative Legal Services Delivery Program (Central Tablelands), facilitating coordination of legal service delivery across our regional network
Location Katoomba
Graduate Opportunities CTBMCLC offers PLT placements for graduates. Graduates must be willing to commit two days per week for a minimum of 40 days and have a commitment to social justice. Duties of PLT students include: To provide clients with information, advocacy support and assistance with legal forms and documents To assist with client intake To assist with preparation of advice to clients, including online legal research To assist with ongoing case work To assist with project work for example, community legal education and law reform To assist with conflict checks Expressions of interest are currently open. Graduates with previous experience in a Community Legal Centre or other service for socially disadvantaged people are encouraged to apply. You can find more information here: https://www.eeclc.org.au/index.php/contact-us/volunteer
Student Opportunities CTBMCLC offers Advice Line Volunteer positions to law students. Students must commit one day per week with a preferred commitment of 12 months, and have a comittment to social justice. Advice Line duties include: Conducting intake and assisting solicitors in responding to callers seeking legal advice Providing information and appropriate referrals Responding to face to face requests from the public Assisting solicitors with legal tasks Data entry and filing Assisting with administrative tasks Assisting with preparation for community legal education sessions and other projects as required You can find more information here: https://ctbmclc.org.au/index.php/contactus/volunteer
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HIV/AIDS Legal Centre
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The HIV AIDS Legal Centre (HALC) is a not-for-profit, specialist community legal centre, and the only one of its kind in Australia. HALC provides free and comprehensive legal assistance to people in NSW with HIV or Hepatitis-related legal matters, to tackle the severe stigma and discrimination associated with HIV. HALC delivers services to people from vulnerable social and cultural backgrounds, including people from the LGBTQI community, people suffering from mental illness, sex workers, injecting drug users and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
Specific Work HALC provides legal assistance to people experiencing HIV- and hepatitis-related legal issues across a broad range of practice areas. Its employees provide legal advice and referrals, deliver community legal education, and contribute to law reform and policy work aimed at addressing legal and systemic issues affecting people living with HIV or hepatitis.
Student Opportunities HALC offers volunteer placements for law students. Students must commit a minimum of three days per week. Students are involved in: direct client contact involvement in numerous and diverse matters usually some court appearances submission writing drafting of legal documents strategising for client outcomes hands on carriage (with supervision) of matters You can find more information here: https://halc.org.au/volunteering/
Graduate Opportunities Volunteer work is also available for graduates who are undertaking their PLT. For students undertaking their Practical Legal Training (PLT) placement generally we would like a commitment of 4 days per week, however the minimum is 3 days per week at this stage. If you are interested in volunteering at HALC, you can forward your CV and a cover letter to admin@halc.org.au
Location Sydney Fun Fact The HIV/AIDS Legal Centre (HALC), established in 1992, is Australia’s only free, fulltime specialist community legal centre dedicated specifically to HIV-related legal issues. Its work has also evolved significantly over time: while early matters often involved end-of-life planning, today HALC assists with issues ranging from discrimination and employment to immigration and privacy.
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Immigration Advice and Rights Centre
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The IARC is a not-for-profit specialist community legal centre that provides free immigration legal advice and assistance to people across New South Wales. Its work focuses on helping vulnerable clients achieve fair and just immigration outcomes. IARC primarily assists people experiencing financial hardship, many of whom come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and may have limited English proficiency. Clients can also face intersecting forms of disadvantage, including homelessness, disability, low levels of education, experiences of torture and trauma, and family violence.
Student Opportunities IARC's offers volunteer placements to law students who have completed at least two years of their degree. Students must commit to one day per week for at least six months. Volunteer legal assistants work directly with clients to provide information and referral services, take instructions and schedule appointments. Legal assistants also provide general admin support such as answering the phones, photocopying and filing and will have opportunities to assist with legal research and drafting.
Location Sydney Specific Work Areas of practice: Immigration and domestic violence Family visas Refugee and Humanitarian visas Citizenship Visa cancellations IARC employees’ work can include: Legal advce Legal information Representation Community legal education Law reform and policy work
Applicants should have administrative/paralegal experience; good oral and written communication skills; the ability to take initiative and genuine interest in the issues affecting vulnerable migrants in Australia.
Graduate Opportunities IARC offers opportunities to complete practical legal training for admission to legal practice in New South Wales. PLT students will receive training and supervision and assist with legal research, drafting, observing and client appointments and help with other administrative and legal tasks. Students must commit to a minimum of three days per week for 60 days. You can find more information here: https://iarc.asn.au/support-our-work/
Fun Fact Commissioned by IARC and written by experienced migration lawyers from IARC and private practice, The Immigration Kit is a comprehensive, plain language guide to Australian immigration, refugee and citizenship law. It provides up-to-date information about bridging visas; family visas; skilled migration; refugee and humanitarian visas; students; temporary workers; and Australian citizenship.
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Kingsford Legal Centre
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Since 1981, Kingsford Legal Centre (KLC) has been committed to social justice and to promoting access to and reform of the legal system. We aim to provide quality legal services to the community and to promote excellence in clinical legal education while fostering a critical analysis of the justice system.
Kingsford Legal Centre is part of the UNSW Sydney Faculty of Law and Justice and provides a number of clinical legal education programs to its students. KLC's lawyers, volunteers and students help over 1,500 local community members each year.
Specific Work The KLC’s work spans a broad range of legal areas, including domestic violence, credit and debt, victims’ compensation, criminal law, employment law, discrimination law, Centrelink matters, motor vehicle accidents, consumer disputes, neighbourhood disputes, fines, tenancy, and limited family law advice. Employees provide legal advice and referrals, represent clients in appropriate matters, deliver community legal education, and contribute to law reform and policy work.
Location Sydney
Graduate Opportunities Graduates can volunteer at KLC as part of UNSW Law's PLT program. You can find more information here: https://www.law.unsw.edu.au/study/unswpractical-legal-training
Fun Fact The KLC was founded in 1981 and is integrated into UNSW's legal education with every LLB and JD student spending time at the oncampus community legal centre during their degree.
Student Opportunities UNSW students undertake client interviewing at KLC as part of the Lawyers, Ethics and Justice course. Students can also participate in longer clinic programs as an elective. Clinics run in Term 1 and Term 3 and cover community law, employment law or family law. Students are involved in the following types of work: client interviewing legal research writing letters preparing briefs for counsel writing law reform submissions undertaking advocacy in court or tribunals develop community education materials You can find more information about clinics here: https://www.law.unsw.edu.au/students/clinics/kingsfordlegal-centre
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Macarthur Legal Centre
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Macarthur Legal Centre (‘MLC’) was established in 1987 and is part of a network of community legal centres, which provides free legal advice, referrals and assistance to people living in the Macarthur region of NSW. The goal of MLC is to promote social justice and provide free and accessible legal services to people who experience social and economic disadvantage.
Location Sydney
Specific Work Macarthur Legal Centre provides free legal advice, referrals and casework across a broad range of areas, including family law, care and protection, child support, credit and debt, wills and guardianship, traffic matters, fines, employment law, discrimination, consumer complaints, Centrelink issues, youth law, victims support and other civil law matters. It also operates specialist services involving domestic and family violence, tenancy advocacy, Aboriginal legal assistance and Children’s Court assistance. Employees may provide direct legal advice and representation, undertake outreach work, deliver community legal education, and contribute to law reform and policy advocacy aimed at addressing systemic disadvantage. Student Opportunities MLC offer a number of volunteering opportunities to students: Daytime front desk volunteer: duties include taking calls, greeting clients face-to-face, and various office administrative duties Advice session intake volunteer: responsible for collecting client information, conducting conflict checks and obtaining client instructions. Research positions: these are available from time to time for specific research projects. Research students are typically recruited from advice session volunteers. Volunteers must commit to at least one day per week. Advice session intake volunteers must also have completed at least one year of their degree. MLC is not accepting volunteers at the moment. However you can find more information and updates here: http://maclegal.net.au/about/volunteering/
Graduate Opportunities MLC also offer PLT placements, however these are limited. PLT students are usually recruited from advice session volunteers. Fun Fact Macarthur Legal Centre runs the Children’s Court Assistance Scheme (‘CCAS’) at Campbelltown Local Court. A CCAS worker, and volunteers, provide information, referrals and non-legal assistance to children and young people appearing before the Children’s Court. MLC also offer mediation services to children and young people with current matters before the Children's Court as an alternative to litigation.
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Marrickville Legal Centre
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Marrickville Legal Centre (MLC) is a not-for-profit community legal centre based in Sydney's inner west and working across NSW. Established in 1979 by a group of law students who recognised a gap in accessible legal services in Sydney's inner west, MLC is Sydney's second community legal centre, after Redfern Legal Centre. Marrickville Legal Centre recognise that some members of the community experience greater barriers to access to justice than others. They prioritise service delivery to young people, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, people with a mental illness, people with a disability, people who have experienced family violence, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Location Sydney
Specific Work Areas of practice: General legal inquiries Domestic and family violence Family law Strata Tenancy Type of work done by employees: Legal advice Legal referrals Community outreach Community legal education
Graduate Opportunities Marrickville Legal Centre offer PLT placements. PLT students assist with client intake, give legal information and referral, assist with casework, and perform other administrative tasks in a community legal environment. Applicants must demonstrate and understanding of and committment to social justice causes and volunteering and legal ethical issues affecting community legal centres. You can find more information here: https://www.mlc.org.au/get-involved/
Student Opportunities Students can volunteer at Marrickville Legal Centre as a Client Support Officer or Admin Volunteer. Client Support Officers must have completed at least two years of a combined undergraduate law degree or one year of a graduate law degree. Students must commit to one day per week for six months. Client Support Officers work at front desk undertaking leagl work. Admin Volunteers assist with support services and may be involved in social media, data entry, research and fundraising work. Students must commit to at least eight hours per week. You can find more information here: https://www.mlc.org.au/get-involved/
Fun Fact Pro bono Partnership with Fragomen to support temporary visa holders Temporary visa holders are more vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination as they generally have limited knowledge and understanding of Australian laws and where to go for help. The pro bono partnership works to support MLC's clients with visa issues through a fortnightly Immigration Advice Clinic, Thursdays 3-5pm.
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Redfern Legal Centre
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The Redfern Legal Centre was established in 1977 as a result of the scarcity of affordable legal services for disadvantaged and marginalised people. RLC is the first community legal centre in NSW and the second in Australia. The RLC aims to promote social justice by providing free legal advice, legal services and education to disadvantaged people in NSW; in particular to residents of inner Sydney and to the groups who advocate for them. Additionally, RLC participates in acttivities that reduce inequalities and defects in laws, the legal system, and administrative and social practices that impact on disadvantaged people.
Student Opportunities Students can volunteer at RLC as a Legal Assistant. Students must commit one day a week for 6 months, and must have completed at least two years of an undergraduate law degree or have been accepted into a graduate law degree, or have relevant experience. Legal Assistants are involved in legal invormation and referral, client intake and interviewing and administrative duties.
Location Sydney
Graduate Opportunities RLC provides PLT placements for graduates. Graduates must be able to commit to two to three days per week. PLT students are involved in client intake, file review, general administration, research, legal drafting, interviewing clients, and follow up on client matters. Applicants must have demonstrated understanding or and commitment to social justice, understanding of ethical practice issues affecting community legal centres, and experience in customer service or administration.
You can find more information https://rlc.org.au/work-and-volunteer
here:
Specific Work Areas of practice: Tenancy & Housing Health Justice Partnership Financial Abuse Employment Law International Students Government complaints Police complaints Money problems Discrimination & Human Rights Fun Fact UNSW Law students have an outstanding, longstanding history with RLS. Many of the early volunteers were products of the new law curriculum at the University of New South Wales, which was perceived as being quite radical at the time.
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Refugee Advice and Casework Service
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The Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS) aims to support refugees by offering free legal services and advocacy. They assist marginalized groups seeking asylum in Australia, including women facing violence, LGBTIQA+ individuals, stateless people, unaccompanied children, and those seeking family reunion. RACS also works on advocating for fair treatment of refugees through legal reforms and complaints against human rights violations to Australian and UN bodies.
Student Opportunities RACS offers volunteer positions to law students who are in their second year or above. Students must commit one day per week for three months.
Location Sydney Specific Work RACS specialises in human rights laws relevant to refugees and asylum seekers. Type of work done by employees: Legal advice Legal referrals Legal representation for people who have had refugee claims refused Outreach services Community legal education RACS also specialises in policy and law reform work, which can include: Lobbying and making direct representation to Government, regulators, policitians and other organisations Preparing submissions and responses to Government
Student volunteers are involved in research, form-filling, assisting with client enquiries, scheduling client appointments and various other administrative and legal tasks. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment to human rights and social justice, an understanding of the issues that affect people seeking asylum, and a capacity to problemsolve.
Graduate Opportunities RACS offer unpaid PLT placements to graduate students. PLT students must commit three days per week for 60 days. PLT students are involved in research, drafting statements, observing and assisting with client appointments, accompanying lawyers to client meetings and DOHA interviews and various other legal and administrative tasks. Applicants must have previous volunteer and administrative experience, a demonstrated commitment to human rights and social justice, an understanding of the issues that affect people seeking asylum, and a capacity to problem-solve. You can find more information here: https://www.racs.org.au/work-with-us-volunteer
Student Testimonial At RACS, I assisted people who had fled their home countries and were seeking protection visas in Australia. This involved advising individuals and families on the process, reviewing client files to assist in preparing applications, giving advice on attendance at interviews, and drafting pre- and post-interview submissions. I am grateful to have worked with people who are passionate about helping others and who were always incredibly patient with me whilst I was at an early stage of my career (and always had a million questions!). Rhiannon Bell
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Welfare Rights Centre
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Established in 1983, the Welfare Rights Centre is a specialist community legal centre that provides free legal information, advice and representation to people in NSW experiencing Centrelink and social security issues. Each year, it assists thousands of people affected by Centrelink decisions and also delivers community education and training to improve understanding of social security law. Drawing on its casework experience, the Centre undertakes law reform, policy advocacy and lobbying to promote a fairer social security system and remains a leading NSW service in social security law and policy.
Specific Work The Welfare Rights Centre specialises in almost all aspects of social security and family assistance law.
Location Sydney
The centre can advise people about their social security rights, entitlements and obligations and assist people through the social security rights, entitlements and obligations and assist people through the social security review and appeals system, including Centrelink internal review and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. All initial advice is provided via phone.
Student Opportunities
Graduate Opportunities
Students can volunteer at Welfare Rights Centre as an Administrative Volunteer or a Casework/Advice Volunteer. Students must commit to half a day per week and have a dedication towards human rights and social justice.
Welfare Rights Centre offer PLT placements to graduates. PLT students are involved in legal research, drafting advice, drafting correspondence to clients and medical practitioners and client interviewing. PLT students assist solicitors in delivering advice to clients and making sure clients get back on payment.
Volunteers are responsible for answering calls, providing information to the public, booking appointments, and assisting with legal tasks. The centre is not currently accepting volunteers but you can find more information here: https://welfarerightscentre.org.au/volunteer-with-us/
The centre is not currently accepting applications but you can find more information here: https://welfarerightscentre.org.au/work-with-us/
Fun Fact Community legal education Welfare Rights Centre run monthly community legal education sessions on different topics, from Robodebts and social security and young people to domestic violence and disability support pension. Sessions are targeted towards different audiences, including yourh workers, social workers, migrant support workers, volunteers and lawyers. You can access their schedule and register here: https://welfarerightscentre.org.au/community-worker-training/
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•••••
Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre
The purpose of Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre is to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children in NSW with a gender-specific service sensitive to their culturally diverse needs; and to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women victims-survivors of violence with access to appropriate legal representation, advocacy, advice, and referral. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women manage the not-for-profit service, paying special attention to the intersecting needs of economically and socially disadvantaged First Nations women and children. Wirringa Baiya was the first and only Aboriginal women's legal centre managed by Aboriginal women in NSW, and the first within Australia.
Specific Work Wirringa Baiya focuses on legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and young people affected by violence. Its employees provide legal advice and court support, deliver community legal education and cultural awareness training, undertake outreach services, and contribute to law reform and policy work aimed at improving legal protections and outcomes for First Nations communities. Location Sydney
Did you know? The words Wirringa Baiya in traditional language mean "Women Speak"
Student Opportunities Wirringa Baiya welcomes the interest of legal and non-legal volunteers, especially female volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering at the Centre, call them on (02) 9569 3847.
Graduate Opportunities Wirringa Baiya accepts students completing their PLT depending on the Centre’s capacity. PLT students work closely with solicitors on a range of civil, family and care and protection matters. Students are required to request, gather and review evidence, draft submissions, draft letters to clients and others and other supporting tasks as required. Students may also be asked to assist with community legal education. Applicants should note that some of the work can be quite confronting and possibly triggering.
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Women's Legal Service NSW
•••
The Women's Legal Service NSW (WLS NSW) has been providing services for women to access the law for more than 30 years.
As a non-profit organisation WLS NSW provides a voice for women in NSW, promoting access to justice for women who are disadvantaged by intersecting social and economic circumstances. WLS NSW aims to foster legal and social change to redress the inequalities that women experience through legal advice and casework, community legal education and law and policy reform.
Student Opportunities WLS provides volunteering opportunities for students who have completed at least two years of their law degree. Applicants must have an understanding of social justice issues for women, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and those experiencing economic, social and cultural disadvantage and lack of access to legal services. Applicants must also have an understanding of areas of law relevant to the work of Women’s Legal Service NSW, including domestic violence, sexual assault, family law and discrimination. Applicants interested in public interest are encouraged to apply. You can stay up to date with opportunities here: https://www.wlsnsw.org.au/about-us/volunteer-with-wlsnsw/#students
Graduate Opportunities WLS provides PLT placements to graduates. Applicants must be committed to working a minimum of two days per week for at least six months. PLT students are involved in assisting clients by obtaining and lodging recognition payments with Victims Services, obtaining Parenting Orders with the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, drafting and lodging breach of summary complaints, participating in conferences, and contributing to policy reform. You can find more information on the selection criteria here: https://www.wlsnsw.org.au/about-us/volunteer-with-wlsnsw/#students
Location Sydney Specific Work Areas of law: - Domestic and family violence - Family law - Sexual assault - Victims support - Human rights - Care and protection - Discrimination and employment WLS NSW also provides legal advice and ongoing casework through their specialist programs: - Domestic Violence legal Service - First Nations Women's Legal Program - Working Women's Legal Service Type of work done by employees: - Legal advice - Outreach services - Casework and advocacy -Education and training - Community legal education
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Youth Law Australia
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Youth Law Australia (YLA) is a national community legal service dedicated to helping children and young people across Australia, as well as those supporting them, find legal solutions to their problems. Formerly known as the National Children’s and Youth Law Centre and Lawstuff, YLA is Australia’s only national technology-based community legal service. Its work focuses on three key areas: providing free and confidential legal advice, assistance and referrals; monitoring and advocating for children’s rights and best interests; and undertaking research, law reform and school-based legal education to empower young people and improve legal outcomes.
Location Sydney Student Opportunities YLA offers volunteer opportunities for UNSW law students only. Students must be in their penultimate or final year of their degree and commit to one day per week. Volunteers are involved in legal research for projects, submissions, and legal advice; drafting legal correspondence to clients; administrative tasks; submission writing; and updating legal factsheets. Applicants must demonstrate experience, or understanding and interest in child's rights and law and technology.
Specific Work YLA provides specialist legal services to young people under the age of 25, including in the area of: - Harrasment, cyberbullying and stalking - Age of consent - Family and domestic violence - Sexting and image based abuse - Drug matters -Traffic offences - Sexual assualt - Education Type of work done by employees: - Legal advice - Legal referrals - Child rights monitoring and advocacy - Research - Law reform and policy work - School-based legal education
Graduate Opportunities Graduates can volunteer at YLA as part of UNSW Law's PLT program. You can find more information here: https://www.law.unsw.edu.au/study/unswpractical-legal-training
Fun Fact Child's rights monitoring taskforce YLA monitors and advocate for the rights and best interests of young people in Australia. YLA is a member of the Child Rights Taskforce, which is Australia’s peak children’s rights body made up of over 100 organisations. Through their role on the Taskforce, YLA assist in drafting and reviewing reports made to the UN on the state of children’s rights observance in Australia. In 2017, YLA prepared the “Children’s Rights” section of the Shadow Report for the 6th periodic report of the ICCPR
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Amnesty International Australia
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Amnesty International is a global non-government organisation focused on protecting and promoting human rights. Amnesty International Australia was established in 1985 as part of the broader Amnesty International movement, which was founded in 1961 by British lawyer Peter Benenson. Amnesty has offices across regions including Africa, the Asia-Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, giving it a presence in more than 70 countries and allowing it to respond quickly to human rights issues around the world.
Specific Work
Location Sydney & Perth Student Opportunities Amnesty International Australia has a range of volunteer opportunities available. You can check for current openings at this link: https://www.amnesty.org.au/workwith-us/positions/ Volunteer support may include: - Researching for campaigns - Data entry and admin support - Creating content and updates for Amnesty members and supporters - Coordinating and planning grassroots events - Community campaigning Students can also intern at Amnesty International Australia for course credit. For more information, visit:: https://my.law.unsw.edu.au/current-students/lawaction/internships/externally-hosted-internships
- Amnesty sends experts into conflicts or countries where human rights abuses are occurring to investigate and to produce accurate, reliable research. - Lobbying governments and other powerful groups, ensuring they keep their promises and respect international law. - Through communications, reports, and working with global media, Amnesty exposes human rights abuses and call the guilty to justice. Amnesty has a range of key priorities, including: - Indigenous justice - Refugees - LGBTQIA+ rights - Women's rights - Climate justice - Anti-racism
Fun Fact In the field of human rights organisations, Amnesty is the third-oldest after the International Federation for Human Rights and the Anti-Slavery Society.
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Australian Pro Bono Centre
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Established in 2002, the Australian Pro Bono Centre is a national centre focused on strengthening and expanding pro bono legal services in Australia. Its goal is to increase participation in pro bono work, promote high-quality practice and help reduce the justice gap. The Centre was created following a 2001 report by the National Pro Bono Task Force, which recommended establishing a dedicated body to encourage the development and coordination of pro bono services and to support the sharing of information and resources across the legal profession.
Specific Work Staff at APBC are involved in: - Administering the National Pro Bono Target - Conducting the National Law Firm Pro Bono Survey - Administering the National Pro Bono Professional Indemnity - Insurance Scheme - Policy reform and advocacy Location Sydney Graduate Opportunities APBC administer the Social Justice Opportunities website, which posts opportunities about social justice jobs and volunteer positions for students and graduates. Most of the opportunities published are targeted at recent graduates, including PLT positions. You can view the SJOpps https://www.sjopps.net.au
website
here:
Student Opportunities UNSW students can intern at the APBC for course credit. Students must apply for an internship through the myLaw website. Interns are involved in the following: A variety of research tasks • Writing research documents and other forms of correspondence and publications • Assisting to update the Centre’s websites • Preparing and editing our weekly newsletter, this will include learning how to create an EDM • Basic operational/administrative tasks You can find more information here: https://my.law.unsw.edu.au/current-students/lawaction/internships/externally-hosted-internships
Fun Fact National Pro Bono Target APBC is repsonsible for overseeing the National Pro Bono Target, which is a voluntary and aspirational target of at least 35 hours of pro bono legal services per lawyer per year that can be signed up to by: law firms; incorporated legal practices; individual law firm solicitors; individual barristers; and barristers’ chambers. The National Pro Bono Target for in-house corporate and government lawyers is a voluntary and aspirational target of at least 20 hours of pro bono legal services per lawyer per year that can be signed up to by: in-house legal teams; and individual in-house lawyers. APBC also run a Professional Indemnity Scheme which provides free professional indemnity insurance to lawyers and paralegals working on pro bono projects approved by the Centre. This removes one of the biggest barriers to inhouse and private lawyers engaging in pro bono work.
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Cancer Council NSW
Cancer Council NSW is Australia's leading cancer charity, working across every area of every cancer. Cancer Council works to unite the community, provide support, invest in research and save lies, in order to reduce cancer risk, increase cancer survival, improve the quality of life for people affected by cancer, and improve cancer outcomes for priority populations.
Specific Work Cancer Council NSW works to: - Support families affected by cancer - Speak out on behalf of the community - Empower people to reduce their cancer risk - Find new and better ways to detect and treat cancer
Student Opportunities Cancer Council NSW offers a range of volunteer opportunities across Sydney. These can range from full-time placements (internships), 1-2 days per week, or one-off working days. Opportunties include: - Helping at events and fundraising activities - Planning and coodinating events - Office administration and support For more information, visit: https://www.cancercoun cil.com.au/getinvolved/volunteer-with-us/
Location Sydney Fun Fact The daffodil is recognised internationally as the symbol of hope for all people affected by cancer. Cancer Council chose it as our emblem as it heralds the return of spring, pushing its way through frozen earth after winter, representing new life, vitality and growth.
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Intellectual Disability Rights Service
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IDRS is a free specialist legal and disability advocacy service for people with intellectual or other cognitive impairment across NSW. It works alongside clients to promote and protect their rights, improve access to justice and help them understand and participate in legal processes. Through its Ability Rights Centre, IDRS provides legal advice, advocacy and representation, including assistance with NDIS appeals and support for parents with intellectual disability involved in care and protection matters. Its Justice Advocacy Service supports people with cognitive impairment who come into contact with the criminal justice system as victims, witnesses or defendants, including providing support at police stations, courts and meetings with lawyers. IDRS also delivers rights education and advocates for broader systemic change affecting people with cognitive impairment.
Specific Work
Location Sydney
IDRS provide help with legal problems, support persons at police stations and courts, support to appeal decisions of the National Disability Agency, rights education for people with cognitive impaiment, peer support and assistance for parents with intellectual disability at risk of losing care of their children.
Graduate Opportunities
Student Opportunities
IDRS accepts applications for legal student volunteers for people looking to complete thei Practical Legal Training (PLT) placement with IDRS.
IDRS accepts applications for Justice Advocacy Service (JAS) Volunteers. These people are individuals who want to give back to their community and provide help to the people around them. It provides opportunities to develop new skills, or build on existing experience and knowledge.
IDRS takes on law students who are in the final 2 years of undergraduate legal studies and who demonstrate clear interest and likely aptitude for helping IDRS and their clients.
JAS Volunteers support victims, witnesses, suspects, and defendants at police stations, court, and legal appointments. JAS is not currently accepting volunteer applications through their websites, but will be holding information sessions in regional areas. You can find more information here: https://idrs.org.au/volunteers/ volunteer-application-forms/volunteer-onlineapplication-form/
JAS is not currently accepting volunteer applications through their websites, but will be holding information sessions in regional areas. You can find more information here: https://idrs.org.au/volunteers /volunteer-application-forms/
Fun Fact CJAS successfully secured NSW government funding for a statewide Justice Advocacy Service and a new court-based diversion program in six local courts
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Justice Action
Justice Action is an independent, community-based organisation focused on reforming the criminal justice and mental health systems and protecting the rights of prisoners, former prisoners, victims of crime and people affected by mental illness. Its membership includes lawyers, academics, people with lived experience of imprisonment and other community members. The organisation undertakes advocacy, research, law and policy reform campaigns, and works directly with people affected by the justice system. Justice Action receives no government funding and relies heavily on volunteers, which it says helps preserve its independence as a watchdog of government and institutional practices.
Specific Work - JA empowers individuals in prisons and prison hospitals by ensuring access to the tools and information they need to defend and develop themselves. - JA builds networks among prisoners, victims, families and others, and exposes abuses of authority in the media and in JA publications, as well as fostering education for those behind bars. - JA provides prisoners and inpatients court support by investigating complaints and following focus cases. - JA promotes policy changes and alternatives to imprisonment - Works at local, national, and international levels with organisations such as the Community Justice Coalition and the International Conference on Penal Abolition among others to ensure that Austrralia's human rights obligation are met in relation to those it imprisons.
Location Sydney Graduate Opportunities
Student Opportunities
Welfare Rights Centre offer PLT placements to graduates. PLT students are involved in legal research, drafting advice, drafting correspondence to clients and medical practitioners and client interviewing. PLT students assist solicitors in delivering advice to clients and making sure clients get back on payment.
If you are interested in volunteering with Justice Action, fill out the form at this link: https://justiceaction.org.au/get-involved/
The centre is not currently accepting applications but you can find more information here: https://welfarerightscentre.org.au/work-with-us/
Fun Fact In light of the COVID-19 outbreaks 6 years ago, during the period Justice Action called on the Commissioner to: - use release powers to enable social distancing - expedite vaccination and testing for prisoners - mandate vaccination and testing for staff - supply computer tablets to prisoners so that community interaction, rehabilitation programs and education can continue.
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Justice Connect
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Justice Connect designs and delives high impact interventions to increase access to legal support and progress social justice. Justice Connect has specialised legal services and works with priority groups and projects to respond to rising legal need and matters in the public interest. Justice Connect has close connections with over 10,000 lawyers through our network of pro bono member firms so that people facing legal problems can get the help they need.
Specific Work Justice Connect works in a range of specialisations, including: - Seniors Law - Homeless Law - Self-representation services - Workplace rights - Natural disaster community support - Disability rights - Refugee and migrant rights Graduate Opportunities Justice Connect offers unpaid PLT placements to students who have completed their law degree. Applicants must be willing to undetake a minimum of 50 days of practical legal training at Justice Connect. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderr people, POC, people from culturally and linguistically diverse and refugee backgrounds, people with divese religious beliefs, gender diverse people, LGBTIQ+ people and people living with a disability are strongly encouaged to apply. For more information, https://justiceconnect.org.au/work-withus/practical-legal-training/
visit:
Student Opportunities Justice Connect accepts law students as volunteers. Many volunteers are later accepted to complete their PLT with Justice Connect. Follow this link for infomation: https://justiceconnect.org.au/work-withus/volunteer/
Location Sydne y & Melbourne Maggie's Story Maggie went to Justice Connect's Women's Homelessness Prevention project in 2016, seeking help after several episodes of homelessness. In 2010, Maggie left a violent relationship of 23 years. She had only enough money for her daughter and herself to fly to Melbourne and for a taxi from the airport to the hotel. Maggie and her daughter lived in transitional housing, hostels, and slept rough. Justice Connect provided Maggie and her daughter with court support and gave her connections to find permanent housing, work and educational opportunities for her daughter. Today, she is safely housed and studying. Her daughter is in year 12, after Maggie kept her in school the whole time. "
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NSW Council for Civil Liberties
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The NSW Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL) is an independent, non-government organisation that works to protect and promote civil liberties and human rights in New South Wales and across Australia. Established in 1963, it advocates on issues such as freedom of speech, privacy, protest rights, criminal justice, discrimination, government accountability and the protection of individual rights. NSWCCL undertakes policy and law reform work, makes submissions to governments and parliamentary inquiries, conducts public advocacy and education, and comments on laws or government practices that may affect civil liberties.
Location Sydney
Specific Work - Influencing public debate - Securing amendments to laws or changes in policy to strengthen democratic rights and liberties - Prepaing submissions to government - Engaging regularly in public debates - Producing content - Holding events
Student Opportunities
Graduate Opportunities
Students interested in volunteering or interning with the NSWCCL are invited to attend Committee Meetings held fortnightly at Sydney Town Hall in the Council Chambers. It gives you the chance to network with some of the Executive and Committee members.
Welfare Rights Centre offer PLT placements to graduates. PLT students are involved in legal research, drafting advice, drafting correspondence to clients and medical practitioners and client interviewing. PLT students assist solicitors in delivering advice to clients and making sure clients get back on payment.
NSWCCL also invites university students to join NSWCCL campaigns or action groups. More information can be found here: https://www.nswccl.org.au/support_signup
The centre is not currently accepting applications but you can find more information here: https://welfarerightscentre.org.au/work-with-us/
Fun Fact Local NSW fishermen are being prosecuted under State law contrary to their Native Title Rights Members of the Aboriginal community who have a right to fish under the Native Title Act 1993 are being prosecuted under the Fisheries Management Act 1994 (NSW) (FMA) contrary to those rights. Mounting a native title defence is both time consuming and expensive, meaning that a number of Aboriginal men have been incarcerated as they have been unable to defend themselves. A legislative amendment that would resolve this situation was passed 11 years ago, but hasn't yet commenced. NSWCCL has written to the NSW Minister for Agriculture to urge him to immediately rectify this situation - rights that require a costly legal defence to enjoy are not worth the paper on which they're written.
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Oxfam
Oxfam Australia is a not-for-profit, secular, community-based aid and development organisation. An affilate of Oxfam International, their work includes long-term developmental projects, responding to emergencies, and campaigning to improve the lives of disadvantaged people around the world. Last year, Oxfam Australia's work reaches approximately 4.64 million people in 28 countries.
Location Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, Adelaide Specific Work
Student Opportunities
Advocating for just and sustainable economies for people and planet - Empowering women, girls, and non-binary people to shape the world they live in - Backing communities leading the way out of the climate crisis to a fairer future - Working in solidarity with Australia's First Peoples towards justice, equality, and self-determination.
Oxfam invites students to volunteer. Volunteers work in a range of areas, including: - Customer service; - Research; - Editing; - Events; - Finance, and; - Human resources.
- Working in partnership with communities and local organisations to drive the greatest possible impact in addressing poverty and inequality.
Volunteers can work in the office, chatting to supporters, researching programs, or assisting the campaigns team. Volunteers can also join an Oxfam group and meet people with a common interest in social justice and sustainable development.
Graduate Opportunities Welfare Rights Centre offer PLT placements to graduates. PLT students are involved in legal research, drafting advice, drafting correspondence to clients and medical practitioners and client interviewing. PLT students assist solicitors in delivering advice to clients and making sure clients get back on payment. The centre is not currently accepting applications but you can find more information here: https://welfarerightscentre.org.au/work-with-us/
University students can also gain unpaid internship placements at Oxfam. For more information: https://www.oxfam.org.au/get-involved/volunteerwith-us/internship-vacancies/ For volunteer and internship vacancies, visit:https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicEnterprise/1 97d61ec-1ab2-461c-8d54-9699092721b7
Fun Fact Oxfam recently campaigned for stronger Australian modern slavery laws, with 6,000 supporters backing its petition. The campaign focused on making large companies more accountable for labour exploitation and modern slavery risks in their global supply chains. Read more here: https://www.oxfam.org.au/blog/you-helped-make-thismodern-slavery-win-possible/?utm
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Justice and Equity Centre
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The Justice and Equity Centre is an independent, non-profit organisation that works with people and communities who are marginalised and facing disadvantage. The organisation's purpose is described as working to "build a fairer, stronger society by helping to change laws, policies and pratices that cause injustice and inequality". The organisation's curent priorities include: - Equality and non-discrimination - First Nations Justice - Reducing Homelessness - Climate Change and Social Justice - A fairer NDIS - Government accountability - Fair-use of police powers - Equal access to health care for asylum seekers - Sustainable, affordable eneergy and water for households
Specific Work Work at the Justice and Equity Centre can involve providing legal advice and representation, particularly through strategic litigation and test cases designed to achieve broader public interest outcomes. Employees may also undertake research, policy analysis and development, and advocacy aimed at achieving systemic reform and addressing issues that affect disadvantaged or marginalised communities.
Fun Fact Same-sex marriage test case In September 2017, the Justice and Equity Centre (then PIAC) challenged in the High Court the decision of the Commonwealth government to hold a postal survey on same sex marriage. The Justice and Equity Centre brought the case (the Wilkie case) on behalf of Andrew Wilkie, the Independent member of Parliament for the Tasmanian electorate of Denison; Felicity Marlowe, a Melbourne mother in a same-sex relationship with three children, and advocate for Rainbow Families; and PFLAG Brisbane (‘Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays’), with their national Spokesperson Shelley Argent. The case was ultimately lost by the Justice and Equity Centre, but provides a useful demonstation of the kind pf public interest work they are involved in.
Location Sydney
Graduate Opportunities The Justice and Equity Centre offers unpaid PLT placements to students who have completed, or as close to finishing, their law degree. Students must commit to three days per week for 60 days. PLTs are supervised by a Senior Solicitor within the strategic litigation team, and have an opportunity to work with lawyers and policy officers across our organisation. The major projects currently being undertaken by the Justice and Equity Centre with a strong legal component include the generalist strategic litigation practice and the Indigenous Justice Program. The Volunteer PLT Placement contributes to the provision of a successful, innovative, and responsive legal practice through assisting with the Justice and Equity Centre's telephone information and advice service and with the Justice and Equity Centre's litigation and associated policy and law reform, training and administrative work.
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Unions NSW
Unions NSW is the peak body for the state's trade unions, representing over 600,000 union members across the state. Unions NSW campaign in workplaces to ensure union members get a fair a go, with decent wages and conditions. They argue publicly for policies and laws that support the rights of working people. Unions NSW is funded by its members and not through government. Unions NSW was founded in 1871 as the Trades and Labour Council of Sydney in 1871.
Specific Work Unions NSW negotiates with government and employers around decent wages and working conditions and better social services. They also campaign for policies and laws that give working people a "fair go" at work, in their retirement, and in their communities.
Graduate Opportunities Location Sydney Student Opportunities
Unions NSW were part of the initial push to make sure the Eight Hour Day was extended to all workers, not just skilled tradespeople. They also were instrumental in establishing the first work-based childcare centre in Australia.
The Unions NSW job board sometimes posts jobs suitable for students. You can see the current positions here: https://www.unionsnsw.org.au/job-board/
Fun Fact Community legal education Welfare Rights Centre run monthly community legal education sessions on different topics, from Robodebts and social security and young people to domestic violence and disability support pension. Sessions are targeted towards different audiences, including yourh workers, social workers, migrant support workers, volunteers and lawyers. You can access their schedule and register here: https://welfarerightscentre.org.au/community-worker-training/
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Voiceless Since 2004, Voiceless has been at the forefront of the animal protection movement.
Voiceless is the home of animal law and animal protection education, working to educate and inspire the next generation of change makes to think critically and make positive changes for animals.
Specific Work Voiceless works to empower and mainstream the animal protection movement, shine a light on cruel industry practices, advance legal protection for animals, raise public awareness, and increase animal protection in science and technology. Location National Student Opportunities Voiceless are not currently accepting applications for volunteering. However, they do provide a comprehensive guide to other volunteering opportunities at other animal law organisations. Find more information here: https://voiceless.org.au /animal-law/animal-law-services/ Fun Fact In December 2021, Voiceless published an exclusive interview with Dr Jane Goodall: https://voiceless.org.au/a-conversation-with-drjane-goodall/
Voiceless is not a law practice and is unable to provide any type of legal advice.
Graduate Opportunities Welfare Rights Centre offer PLT placements to graduates. PLT students are involved in legal research, drafting advice, drafting correspondence to clients and medical practitioners and client interviewing. PLT students assist solicitors in delivering advice to clients and making sure clients get back on payment. The centre is not currently accepting applications but you can find more information here: https://welfarerightscentre.org.au/work-with-us/
Chapter 4 The Bar and Judiciary/ The Courts Associate and Tipstaff Positions New South Wales Bar Association
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Associate and Tipstaff Positions
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Being an associate or tipstaff, allows students to gain valuable experience working alongside judges, barristers and solicitors. The District Court of NSW, Federal Court of Australia and High Court of Australia offer roles as a judge's associate or as a legal researcher. The Supreme Court of NSW offers tipstaff and legal researcher roles. These roles may also be available in other courts and tribunals.
Specific Work Tipstaves are employed as part of the personal chambers staff of a particular judge. They provide legal research, in-court duties and other support for the judge. Tipstaves are expected to possess highly developed communicaiton and interpersonal skills and proficiency in the use of IT. They must also be able to professional display tact, confidentiality and confidence in their interactions with court users, practitioners, the judiciary and other court staff.
Location New South Wales
On the other hand, associates closely accompany judges, and are expected to deal with adminstrative issues in an effective and timely manner.
Student Opportunities
Tips for Aspiring Tipstaves and Associates
Positions as tipstaves or researchers are extremely popular and are therefore highly competitive. Candidates applying for positions are expected to display the following skills and abilities:
Writer and solicitor Stella Kim published an article about her experience working in the judicial branch of government. She writes,
Highly developed legal research, conceptual and analytical skills; Excellent organisational skills; and High level computer and keyboard skills Law graduates applying for tipstaff or researcher positions are expected to have a strong academic record in their law studeis. Highly developed legal research skills and involvement in extracurricular activities or voluntary work in legal areas are also highly desirable. Tipstaff positions are generally not advertised and the selection of tipstaves is conducted directly by the judge(s).
"Do your research. Find a judge whose interests/legal speciality align with yours. Beyond a judge's swearing in speech, you could also consider their daily court lists (found online), previous judgments and any other extracurricular lectures/speeches." You can read her article here: https://www.unsw.edu,au/news/2018/03/tips-foraspiring-tipstaves-and-associates
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New South Wales Bar Association
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The New South Wales Bar Association represents and helps regulate practicing barristers throughout the state. Founded to promote fair and honourable legal practice, the Association safeguards the vital independence of the Bar, ensuring legal representation is accessible for all without fear or favour. Furthermore, the Association regularly lends its expertise to assist government and judicial bodies with legislative reforms and court rules.
Specific Work The New South Wales Bar Association balances two major roles being the regulation of state barristers as well as supporting its members to maintain an independent legal profession. To achieve this, the Association administers the NSW Bar Exam, issues practicing certificates, and investigates misconduct complaints to encforce high ethical standards.
Location Sydney
To support the ongoing growth of independent sole practitioners the association also delivers compulsory legal training, and manages dedicated mental health programs. Additionally, they also actively advise governments on law reform to protect civil liberties whilst running pro bono schemes to connect disadvantaged people with courtroom representation.
Student Opportunities
Fun Fact
All students who are interested in pursuing a career at the Bar should follow alongside PIC in 2027 as we endeavor to create a path of greater access by connecting you with mentors at our Annual Event: Evening with the Barristers. It is recommended that the best path to pre-penultimate involvement to a career at the Bar is through securing work opportunities/placements as a paralegal or research assistant Chambers. Barristers are incredibly welcoming and supportive individuals who may post up openings on recruitment websites for positions available to younger students. It is also advised for students to take the first step by conducting research into the Chambers that they are applying to, engage in coffee chats with the relevant individuals and present their wholehearted interest in the role!
The NSW Bar Association’s motto is “Servants of all yet of none”, reflecting the independence of barristers and their duty to serve the administration of justice rather than any particular interest.
For further information about practising at the Bar, please visit: https://nswbar.asn.au/
The motto has appeared on the Association’s coat of arms since it was granted in 1959.
Chapter 5 Plaintiff/Private Public Interest Firms Criminal Defence Lawyers Australia Maurice Blackburn Lawyers Shine Lawyers Slater and Gordon Lawyers
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Criminal Defence Lawyers Australia
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Criminal Defence Lawyers Australia (CDLA) are a specialised criminal law firm with eight office locations in NSW, including Sydney City, Parramatta, Newcastle, Wollonging, Liverpool, Blacktown, Penrith and Bankstown. The firm sits exclusively among the top senior criminal lawyers in Australia holding an exceptional track record of successfully getting charges dropped early, securing 10 non-convictions and not guilty verdicts across all Local, District and Supreme Courts in Australia. A comprehensive guide to CDLA is available at the website below: https://www.criminaldefencelawyers.com.au/about-us/
In 2026, CDLA has been a key sponsor and collaborator with the Public Interest Careers Portfolio and UNSW Law Society in general. The firm participated in the 2026 Private Law Careers x Public Interest Careers Fair, with Principal and Senior Criminal Lawyer Mr Jimmy Singh appearing on the UNSW Law Society Podcast to speak about his professional field. Specific Work CDLA's criminal defence lawyers specialise in and represent clients across all criminal and traffic law offences, as listed above. Their work Location ranges from providing client advice to representing them in court, Across New South Wales including: Free first consultations, Fixed fees for most casess.
Student Opportunities Student Opportunities are reserved for 5th Year students who wish to complete their Practical Legal Training (PLT) with the firm. Graduate Opportunities CDLA welcomes applications from individuals seeking to build a longterm career practising exclusively in criminal law, including: Law graduates completing PLT Newly admitted lawyers Criminal lawyers with 1+ years post-admission experience CDLA is unique in providing lawyers with early and regular courtroom exposure, the opportunity to work exclusively on criminal defence matters, direct mentoring from experiences practitioners, operating in a client-focused practice without billable hour quotas or daily timesheets and exposure to serious and complex criminal litigation. For further information, please see the CDLA Careers page below: https://www.criminaldefencelawyer s.com.au/careers/
Specialisations include: Drug possession, Criminal assault, Sex offence charges, Firearms charges. Section 32 Mental Health applications. Complex bail applications to courts Testimonial Jimmy Singh (Criminal Defence Lawyers Australia) “I am the principal and director of Criminal Defence Lawyers Australia. I practice exclusively in the area of criminal law and focus mainly on serious crime cases, such as murder, white collar crime, money laundering, and serious sexual assault charges. A normal day involves calling my clients whose cases are listed the next day, preparing my next day's court matters, attending court in the mornings, and conducting consultations in the afternoon. This requires good time management skills and a good team who works well together to assist. I was inspired to pursue a career in criminal law from the time I studied a course at university involving the Evidence Act. I found this exciting and challenging. This led me to realise that criminal law is the only area of law that requires lawyers to attend court on a daily basis which also benefits the community by protecting everyday peoples rights. I knew that I would not get the kind of thrill I get in criminal law from any other area of law. An interesting case I am currently working on involves a mother charged with sexually touching her 10 years old son. My client had a stroke leading up to the alleged incident which had caused an impairment in her frontal lobe brain. This explains that if she in fact did commit the offence, she did not know the nature or quality of her act in the sense of not being able to reason with a moderate degree of sense and composure about whether the act, as perceived by reasonable people, was wrong. This is otherwise known as the mental health defence reflected in the common law case of Queen v M’Naghten (1843) 8 E.R. 718. This has now been reflected in the legislation under Part 3 of the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020 (NSW). To find out more, visit www.criminaldefencelawyers.com.au"
Fun Fact CDLA operates their own blog, which publishes numerous informative and opinion-based articles on the latest law reforms and evidential rules surrounding the criminal law practice. For example, the firm recently posted an article titled: Can Secret Recordings be used as Evidence In Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Cases? For further information, please see the link to the CDLA Blog below: https://www.criminaldefencelawyers.com.au/blog/
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Maurice Blackburn Lawyers Founded in 1919, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers was founded by Maurice Blackburn. The firm is an Australian plaintiff law firm and has represented clients in a number of high-profile cases since its establishment.
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Today, Maurice Blackburn is a national firm with over 30 offices throughout Australia and more than 1000 staff.
Specific Work
Location Sydney, Parramatta Recent Project Maurice Blackburn takes on JB Hi-Fi in Class Action As a nationally leading Australian plaintiff law firm, Maurice Blackburn has over $5 billion in settlements, and is recently conducting a class action against JB Hi-Fi Group Pty Ltd for allegedly selling customers extended warranties that have limited value due to the customers' existing free rights under the Australian Consumer Law. For further information, visit: https://www.mauriceblackburn.com.au/class -actions/join-a-class-action/jbhifi-classaction/
Specialisations include: Injury law Class actions Superannuation claims Insurance claims Financial services disputes Wills and estates Employment law
Student Opportunities Maurice Blackburn has a wide range of student opportunities, from Law Clerks, to legal assistants to paralgeals. To check regular vacacies, go to https://www.mauriceblackburn.com.au/careers/
Graduate Opportunities Maurice Blackburn offers a 12-month Graduate Program in Melbourne, providing comprehensive training in plaintiff law. It allows active participation and offers opportunities for professional development and insights into the firm. The program includes formal training and hands-on experience and supports Practical Legal Training (PLT) if needed. Graduates are placed in various practice areas nationwide, gaining in-depth knowledge and building relationships through legal networking. For more information, visit https://www.mauriceblackburn.com.au/careers/graduates/.
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Shine Lawyers
Shine Lawyers is an Australian law firm specialising in personal injury compensation law, operating on a no win no fee basis. Shine has operated for over 40 years and is an ASX listed firm, with branches across the East Coast of Australia, with locations in Darwin and Perth.
Specific Work
Location Darwin, Perth, Across Greater Sydney, Various in QLD, Various in VIC, 5 offices in NSW
Student Opportunities Shine Lawyers have a wide variety of positions available, from legal work to administration and more. To view current availability or to enquire, go to https://www.shine.com.au/careers/cur rent-jobs
Specialisations include: Personal Injury Law Negligence Law Workers Compensation Law Car Accident Claims Compensation Law Class Actions Aviation Law Environmental Claims Abuse Law Workplace Claims
Recent Project In March 2026, Shine Lawyers and Gordon Legal reached a $28.8 million in-principle settlement in a class action concerning allegations that KFC employees were not provided with legally required rest breaks. The proposed settlement involves KFC and more than 80 franchise operators and could provide compensation to around 90,000 current and former workers, subject to Federal Court approval. The full story is here: https://www.shine.com.au/media/media-releases/28.8million-settlement-reached-in-KFC-rest-breaks-classaction?utm
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Slater and Gordon Lawyers
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Slater and Gordon are a leading Australian consumer law firm. Our mission is to give people easier access to world class legal services. The firm provides specialist legal and complementary services in a broad range of areas, focusing on servicing the needs of unions and working people. Slater and Gordon was founded in Australia in 1935.
Specific Work Specialisations include: Personal Injury Superannuation and Insurance Class Actions Commercial Litigation Employment Law
Location
Recent Project
Across NSW and Victoria, various in the UK
Slater and Gordon to Represent Plaintiff against Sydney Swans players
Student Opportunities Slater and Gordon Lawyers offers positions to students to complement the graduate program. Find out more here https://www.slatergordon.com.au/ca reers/law-students
Graduate Opportunities The Slater and Gordon Graduate Program commences with an 18month contract working within a specific practice area of law and can lead to the offer of a permanent position within our firm. More information can be found here; https://www.slatergordon.com.au/ca reers/graduate-program
As of 22nd August, 2026, Slater and Gordon have been engaged to represent one of the women involved in the Sydney Swans players alleged sexual assault in a civil claim. For further information, visit: https://www.slatergordon.com.au/media/slater-andgordon-to-represent-one-of-the-women-involved-insydney-swans-players-alleged-sexual-assault-in-civilclaim
Testimonial "I am a lawyer in the Class Actions team at Slater and Gordon Lawyers. Class actions is a dynamic and constantly evolving area of law and the matters we work on are varied, ranging from consumer, shareholder, medical to human rights class actions. Being on the plaintiff side, the best part is that we represent ordinary Australians and hold big corporations to account for their misconduct. We work on extremely complex and high-profile matters and we currently have cases running against groups like the CBA, Optus, Bayer and even the state of NSW. In addition to litigation work, our graduates and junior lawyers also have the opportunity to identify and investigate corporate and governmental wrongdoing, which can potentially lead to new class actions. “ - Beatriz Linsao
Chapter 6 Public International Law/International Public Interest
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United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization comprising 193 member states, established in 1945 with a mission guided by its founding Charter. The UN addresses critical global issues such as human rights, climate change, disarmament, terrorism, health emergencies, justice, peace, and security. It provides a platform for member states to express their views and engage in dialogue through various bodies like the General Assembly, Security Council, and Economic and Social Council. The UN offers internships and opportunities through diverse bodies like UN, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, UNEP, and others, fostering collaboration and problem-solving at an international level.
Specific Work The work of the United Nations touches every corner of the globe and focuses on a broad range of fundamental issues, like sustainable development, protection of the environment and refugees, disaster relief and mitigation, counter terrorism, as well as disarment and non-proliferation.
Location United States
Student Opportunities For students who are interested in the events that have been frontlining the Office of Legal Affairs at the UN, further information is available below: https://www.un.org/ola/? aspxerrorpath=/ola/website/employ. aspx
Graduate Opportunities For students who are interested in the United Nations Association of Australia specific career opportunities, further information is found below, including volunteering opportunities. https://www.unaa.org.au/about/care er-opportunities-2/
Working at the UN requires both passion and perservereance. You will be exposed to the most pressing issues, and an opportunity to engage in the most prominent diplomatic dialogues and meetings.
Recent Project Tightening the reigns on Lethal Autonomous Weapons The UN Chief and President of the Red Cross have recently published an article investigating the need for stricter global laws on the use of lethal autonomous weapons. For further information, click here: https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/08/1168196 For updated UN News, head to the United Nations official news website: https://news.un.org/en/news
Electives LLB Students interested in the international law and the UN may choose to take the following elective(s):
LAWS3146 Human Rights Law (New York) More information can be accessed here.
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World Trade Organisation
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The World Trade Organisation ('WTO'), established in 1995, sets the rules governing trade between nations. It stands as the only global body overseeing multilateral trade agreements, which are negotiated and signed by the majority of the world's trading nations and subsequently ratified by their parliaments. Its core purpose is to support exporters, importers, producers and suppliers of goods and services in conducting business, while also serving as a forum for resolving trade disputes between governments. In addition, the WTO drives efforts to remove trade discrimination, tariffs and other barriers that restrict international trade.
Specific Work
Location Switzerland Student Opportunities There are 3 main streams of internships offered at the WTO. However, since Australia is neither classified as a developing country nor least developed country, only 1 stream is open. That is, the WTO Internship Programme which is open to post-graduate students from all WTO members and countries engaged in accession negotiations. Assignments are given to interns with the intention to enhance their understanding of the WTO and trade policy more generally. Interns work in the following areas: Trade law, Economics, Statistics, Trade policy, Languages
1st World Trade and Tech Day The WTO is set to host the first World Trade and Tech Day on 14 September 2026 at its headquarters in Geneva to discuss how AI strategies can be used to support global economic efforts to maximise the gains of international trade. For further information, click here: For further information on recent WTO news and events, visit their webpage here:
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the WTO Secretariat has a workforce of over 600 staff drawn from more than 80 member countries. Its personnel include lawyers handling dispute settlement matters, foreign-trade policy analysts, economists and statisticians. The Secretariat's main responsibilities span trade negotiations across goods, services and intellectual property agreements, support for resolving disputes, and strengthening trade capacity and policy through research and technical assistance.
Graduate Opportunties The WTO Young Professional Programme was launched in 2016 to attract young progressionals from developing and leastdeveloped countries that are members of the WTO. The programme aims to enhance their knowledge of WTO and international trade issues, whilst providing a pathway of being recruited by WTO and/or other regional and international organisations in the future. Successful applicants are allocated to specific devisions based on needs and priorities of WTO. The areas of work may include: accessions, agriculture, dispute settlmement, intellectual property rights, government procurement, competition policy, market access, rules, trade and development, trade and environment, trade in services and investment, trade facilitation, trade polkicy analysis and trade-related techcnical assistance. Duration is 1 year. More info: https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/vacan_e/ypp_e.htm
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World Trade Organisation
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LLB Students interested in the WTO may choose to take the following elective(s): LAWS3084
LAWS3354
International Trade Law: The Law and Policy of the WTO More information can be accessed here.
International Trade Remedies: Law and Practices More information can be accessed here.
JD Students interested in the WTO may choose to take the following elective(s): JURD7689
JURD7472
World Trade Law: Contemporary Issues and Concerns More information can be accessed here.
Law of the World Trade Organisation More information can be accessed here.
JURD7484
JURD7554
International Trade Law: The Law and Policy of the WTO More information can be accessed here.
International Trade Remedies: Law and Practices More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB More information can be accessed here.
JD More information can be accessed here.
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World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing nations for capitalintensive projects and initiatives. Its official goal is the reduction of poverty.
Specific Work
Location US
Recent Project World Bank and Adolescent Health On 17th August 2026, the World Bank saw its latest World initiative get approved. The Advancing Local Innovations for Adolescent Health and Nutrition through Governance and Networks (ALIGN) project aims to contribute to expanding civil society innovations on adolescent health and nutrition in national policy. For further detail, visit: https://projects.worldbank.org/en/proj ects-operations/projectdetail/P513260
The World Bank is active across every major area of development, offering a broad range of financial products and technical assistance. It helps developing and least-developed countries access and apply innovative knowledge and solutions to the challenges they face, with support spanning advice, risk insurance, and low-interest loans and grants.
Student Opportunities The World Bank's Talent Programs are split into two main streams: 1. The Young Professionals Program (YPP) 2. The WBG Pioneers The Young Professionals Program is the World Bank's premier leadership development program for high performing professionals with a passion for global development. They offer numerous project streams including Investment, Transport, Law, Security, Independent Evaluation, Information and Technology and Governence. The WBG Pioneers is the official World Bank Group's Internshp Program most relevant to undergraduate and postgraduate students who desire a hands-on learning experience with international professionals across fields including: Economics, Investment and Portfolio Management, Human Development, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Environment, Engineering, Urban Planning, Natural Resources Management, Private Sector Development and Corporate Support. Students are encouraged to contribute directly to World Bank workstreams. The internship operates a Spring/Summer Cycle with applications opening from January-February and A Winter/Autumn Cycle with applications opening in July/August. This program is available for final year undergraduate students and postgraduate students currently pursuing a master's degree or PhD. For further information on these programs, visit: https://www.worldbank.org/ext/en/careers/talent-programs
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International Court of Arbitration
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The ICC, founded in 1923, resolves international commercial disputes under the International Chamber of Commerce. With 100+ arbitrators from 90+ countries, it offers "judicial supervision of arbitration proceedings" in English and French (any language for cases). Its mission is to ensure proper ICC Rules application, assist with procedures, enhance efficiency, control time and costs, aid enforcement, and maintain confidentiality through innovative arbitration tools and procedures.
Specific Work
Location Paris, France
The responsibilities of the ICC include: confirming, appointing and replacing arbitrators, as well as deciding on challenges made against them monitoring the arbitral process to make certain that is is properly performed scrutinising and approving all arbitral awards setting, managing and adjusting fees and advances overseeing emergenct proceedings before the start of the arbitration
ICC Centenary Student Opportunities Multiple internship opportunities exist across various countries. Interships are offered in the following departments*: Dispute Resolution Services Global Partnerships and Developent International Chamber of Commerce Business Analyst/Secretariat General of ICC Arbitration Case Management Team *These may change as new opportunities arise More info: https://iccwbo.org/careers/internshi p-opportunities/
In 2023, the ICC International Court of Arbitration celebrated its Centenary of the Court. In doing so, the ICC Court isued the ICC Centenary Declaration on Dispute Prevention and Resolution, which reads as follows: "As the nature and character of business relationshps and disputes evolve in an ever-changing world, ICC's track record of continual innovation places it in the perfect position to lead dispute prevention and resolution into the future." For further information, click here: https://iccwbo.org/disputeresolution/dispute-resolution-services/icc-international-courtof-arbitration/centenary-of-the-icc-court/
Electives JD students interested in the International Court of Arbitration should consider the following elective(s): JURD7583 International Commercial Arbitration More information can be accessed here.
For further information, please visit the UNSW Law (JD) Handbook: JD More information can be accessed here.
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International Court of Justice
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The international Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established in 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). The Court comprises of 15 judges, who are elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council. Its official langages are English and French.
Specific Work The Court's role is to settlement, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorised United Nations organs and specialised agencies.
Graduate Opportunities
Location Netherlands
Student Opportunities Internship at The Registry. Since the ICF is both a court of justice and an international organ, the Registry's tasks are not only those of a service helping in the administration of justice - with sovereign States as litigants but also those of a secretariat of an international commission. Its activities are judicial, diplomatic and administative in nature. This internship is an opportunity to put your knowledge and experience into practice, under the supervision of Registry officials.
The ICJ offers a Judicial Followship Programme. The programme was established in 1999 to enable recent law graudates to gain experience working at the ICJ. It aims to improve participants' understanding of international law and the Court's procedures by actively involving them in the work of the Court and build their experience under the supervision of a Judge. More info: https://www.icj-cij.org/en/judicial-fellows-program
ICJ 2026 80th Anniversary On 17 April 2026, the ICJ celebrated its 80th anniversary through a 'solemn sitting', held in the presence of His Majesty King Willem‑Alexander of the Netherlands, HE Mr António Guterres, Secretary‑General of the United Nations, HE Ms Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly, HE Mr Tom Berendsen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and HE Mr Jamal Alrowaiei, Ambassador, President of the United Nations Security Council. The full programme of the solemn sitting is available here: https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/2026-04/programme-textfinal.pdf
More info: https://www.icj-cij.org/en/internships
Electives
LLB Students interested in the international law and the ICJ may choose to take the following elective(s): LAWS3381
LAWS3382
For further information, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) Handbook:
Public International Law More information can be accessed here.
Conflict of Laws More information can be accessed here.
LLB More information can be accessed here.
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Human Rights Watch
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The Human Rights Watch was founded in 1978 as 'Helsinki Watch', as the organisation started by investigating rights abuses in countries that signed the Helsinki Accords. The organisation continues to investigate and report abuses occurring across the world, running on a team of roughly 500 people from over 70 nationalities spanning from country experts, lawyers, journalists and others who protect those most vulnerable. The organisation remains independent through their refusal of government funding and careful review of donations.
Specific Work
Location Headquartered in New York, USA. The Human Rights Watch Australia office is located in Sydney, NSW.
Winner of the Nobel Peace Price 1997 The Human Rights Watch and its partners' groundbreaking work, founded upon their 3 pillars of investigation, exposure and provoking change, has been instrumental in the foundational victories for human rights. In 1997, this collaborative effort resulted in the successful banning of landmines worldwide, for which those involved were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. For more information on the recent humanitarian projects by the Human Rights Watch, click here: https://www.hrw.org/impact
The Human Rights Watch describes itself to operate across 3 key fields: Investigation across over 100 countries on records of human rights abuses. Exposure of human rights investigations through media publiation. Lobbying for change through meetings with governments, the UN, rebel groups, corporations, etc. to ensure justice is served. The organisation has worked on some of the world's biggest crises, such as: Russia-Ukraine War srael-Palestine Taliban Rule in Afghanistan
Student Opportunities HRW's Development and Outreach Interns will primarily contribute to outreach and development iniatives using databases, monitoring press coverage, planning events, posting on social medias and conducting background desk research. Other projects may be assigned as they arise and match the intern's interests. Internships typically last for three months with the possibility to extend. Vacancies will appear on the HRW Career Seach function as they become available: https://careers.hrw.org/jobs/
Graduate Opportunities Vacancies will appear on the HRW Career Seach function as they become available: https://careers.hrw.org/jobs/
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Centre for International and Environmental Law
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The Centre for International and Environmental Law (CIEL) is a public-interest based non-for-profit organisation that engages the law to protect the environment and promote human rights. The CIEL strive for the promotion of a more equitable and sustainable society by strengthening international environmental law and policy around the world, in areas of biodiversity, climate change, human rights, trade and environmentally sustainable development. Specific Work
Location Offices in Washington, DC, and Geneva, Switzerland
CIEL's mission is pursued through legal research, advocacy, education, and community partnerships. Their work focuses on: 1. Promoting environmental democracy by empowering people and protecting environmental human rights defenders. 2. Counterbalancing corporate power to incentivize environmentally friendly behavior and hold corporations accountable. 3. Redirecting financial flows away from harmful investments to serve people and the planet. 4. Strengthening International Environmental and Human Rights Law to address current needs in a changing geopolitical landscape."
Student Opportunities CIEL offers two streams of legal internships and a separate legal fellowship for law students and recent graduates interested in public interest law, international environmentall law and human rights law. Graduate Opportuniites Alongside the 2 Legal Internship streams offered by the CIEL, a Legal Fellowship is available to recent law graduates so they may gain expereince in the field of international environmental law. Applicants must have recently completed, or are in the final stages of completing, a graduate degree in law. The expectation is that this fellowship will take place after graduation. Successful applicants generally possess excellent research and writing skills and a stsrong dedication to public interest law. For further information, click here.
Legal Internship in the US The US Legal Internship is based in Washington, however is only applicable to university students currently enrolled in the US who is working towards or already completed a legal degree (e.g. LLM or JD). Legal interns in Washington commit to 10 weeks for at least 15 hours/week for spring or fall sessions and 40 hours/week for summer sessions. Applications for the Spring 2027 session closes on November 20, 2026. Click here.
Legal Internship in Geneva, Switzerland The Swizterland Legal Internship is based in Geneva and is available for any student enrolled in a graduate program leading to a degreee with an accredited university for the duration of the internship, and must be working towards or already completed a legal degree. LLB students are allowed to apply, but must demonstrate familiarity with international human rights law or international environmental law, either through coursework or prior work experience. Legal interns in Geneva commit to a minimum of 12 weeks to a maximum of 24 weeks for at least 24 hours/week. Applications for the Spring 2027 session closes 16 October 2026 (11:59pm CET). Click here.
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Centre for International and Environmental Law
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Fun Fact/Recent Project - CIEL International Environmental Law Award Every year CIEL’s International Environmental Law Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the effort to achieve solutions to environmental problems through international law and institutions
Electives
LLB students interested in environmental law may choose to take the following elective(s): LAWS3361
JURD7361
Environmental Law More information can be accessed here.
Environmental Law More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB More information can be accessed here.
JD More information can be accessed here.
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Greenpeace
Greenpeace is a leading international campaigning organisation using peaceful protest, direct action, lobbying and research to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions to a more sustainable future. Greenpeace's various goals include creating a coal free future, an economic recovery with a focus on people and the planet, preserviong the Great Barrier Reef, protecting the Antarctic, a call for Australia's largest electricity-using companies to switch to 100% renewable energy as well as protecting our oceans and forests.
Specific Work Greenpeace tackles environmental crime through three pillars: investigate, connect, and act. They investigate global corporations, aligning with their values and exposing those hindering progress. Greenpeace collaborates with various groups and communities to find effective solutions. Taking action follows investigation and engagement, from urging sustainable sourcing to participating in rallies and advocacy efforts
Location Headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Greenpeace Australia Pacific is headquartered in Sydney, Australia
Student Opportunities Student vacancies will appear on the Career Seach function as they become available here. For Australia, click here. Graduate Opportunities The aforementioned internship opportunity for students is also available to recent graduates and young professionals. Fun Fact - Greenpeace advocacy success: 2023 Global Ocean Treaty In 2023, the Global Ocean Treaty was announced following over two-decades of oceanic climate advocacy conduced by Greenpeace, including their 2005 call for a new treaty under the UNCLOS. On 23 March 2026, Australia's Senate passed the High Seas Biodiversity Bill, marking the nation's ratification of the 2023 Global Ocean Treaty.
LLB students interested in environmental law may choose to take the following elective(s): LAWS3361
JURD7361
Environmental Law More information can be accessed here.
Environmental Law More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB More information can be accessed here.
JD More information can be accessed here.
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International Environmental Law Research Centre
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The International Environmental Law Research Centre (IELRC) is an independent research organisation focusing on international and comparative environmental law issues. IELRC aims to contribute to the establishment, modifying and implementation of legal and institutional frameworks that foster the sustainable conservation and use of the environment and its natural resources. Location It has offices in Switzerland (Geneva), the UK (London) and Kenya (Nairobi), and India (New Delhi)
Specifc Work IELRC conducts policy-specific academic research to foster equitable and sustainable environmental management at the local, national and international level. The IELRC specialises in research areas such as biosafety, biodiversity, climate change, intellectual property, justice and human rights as well as water and sanitation law. The IELRC has a particular emphasis on the environmental issues and conditions existing in India and East Africa. Student Opportunities Vacancies will appear on the IELRC Career Seach function as they become available. Click here. Graduate Opportunities The aforementioned internship opportunity for students is also available to recent graduates and young professionals. Fun Fact: Latest Brief: June 2021 Provided that the International Environmental Law Research Centre is fundamentally an academic research institution, its latest news from June 2021 asserted to the British Government (as hosts of COP26) that the nation must host the 'most ambitious climate change conference ever'. Professor Philippe Cullet noted that the COP26 meeting must move away from merely focusing on 'sustainable development' to favour a 'new paradigm': Harmony with Nature. To read the full brief, click here.
LLB students interested in environmental law may choose to take the following elective(s): LAWS3361
JURD7361
Environmental Law More information can be accessed here.
Environmental Law More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB More information can be accessed here.
JD More information can be accessed here.
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International Tribunal for Law of the Sea
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The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) was established in 1982 by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which has over 160 signatories. The ITLOS is an international judicial organ designed to deal with matters relating to all ocean space, its uses and resources, and disputes over the interpretation and application of the UNCLOS Location Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany
Interns for the ITLOS work in a variety of departments, namely: The Legal Office: Carrying out research on a variety of legal issues, preparing legal documents and reports. Interns may conduct research on specific topics and give an oral presentation to the Legal Office. The Library: Navigating and maintaining online databases, ensuring ease of access to documents. Linguistic Services: Assisting with the translation of legal materials in one of the working languages of the ITLOS, i.e. English and French. Press Office: Engaging in public relations to encompany the Tribunal's vision for a global reach with interesting and meaningful publicity
Student Opportunities The Tribunal offers about twenty annual internships to government officials and students in various fields such as law, international relations, and more. This program provides participants with insights into the Tribunal's work and allows the Tribunal to benefit from their expertise. Interns contribute to various areas of the Tribunal's activities, including law of the sea, international law, public information, publications, and translation. More details can be found here. Graduate Opportunities The aforementioned internship opportunity for students is also available to recent graduates and young professionals. Fun Fact - First Climate Change Advisory Opinion Delivered On 21 May 2024, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) delivered a unanimous Advisory Opinon on the request submitted to ITLOS by the Commission of Small Island states on Climate Change and International Law. The Advisory Opinion officially recognised greenhouse gas emissions as marine pollution, and concluded that the States party to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea are obliged to go beyond their existing commitments under the Paris Agreement to specifically deal with marine pollution.
JD students interested in environmental law may choose to take the following elective(s): JURD7361
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (JD) Handbook:
Law of the Sea More information can be accessed here.
JD More information can be accessed here.
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Asian Development Bank ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) envisions a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in the region. Despite the region's many successes, it remains home to a large share of the world's poor: 263 million living on less than $1.90 a day and 1.1 billion on less than $3.20 a day.
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Location Headquartered in Metro Manila, Philippines.
The Sydney Representative office: Pacific Liaison and Coordination Office (PLCO) is in Sydney, NSW.
Specifc Work ADB assists its members, and partners, by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development. ADB maximizes the development impact of its assistance by facilitating policy dialogues, providing advisory services, and mobilizing financial resources through cofinancing operations that tap official, commercial, and export credit sources. Graduate Opportunities The ADB Internship Program offers project-based learning for graduate students, providing experience in alignment with ADB's operational needs. Open for applications twice a year, it allows students to work collaboratively with professionals from diverse countries and deepen their understanding of development finance. Interns must be enrolled in a Master's or PhD program related to ADB's work, with strong English proficiency and relevant professional experience. Applications are submitted online through ACES. For further information, please click here. Fun Fact - Terabyte Green Data Center Platform In August 2026, the Asian Development Bank launched an equity investment project called the Terabyte Green Data Centre Platform to support more sustainable digital infrastructure in India. The Green Data Centre aims to focus on high energy efficiency, loaw Power Usage Efffectiveness and pioneers the integration of renewable energy sources to handle the large power requirements of heavy AI and cloud computing workloads.
LLB/JD students who are interested in the Asian Development Bank may choose to research into the following overseas elective: LAWS3345
JURD7645
CIBEL Elective (China) More information can be accessed here.
CIBEL Electiive China More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB More information can be accessed here.
JD More information can be accessed here.
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International Monetary Fund (IMF)
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The IMF was established in 1944 in the aftermath of the Great Depression of the 1930s. 44 founding member countries sought to build a framework for international economic cooperation. Today, its membership embraces 190 countries, with staff drawn from 150 nations. The IMF is governed by and accountable to those 190 countries that make up its nearglobal membership. Location Headquartered in Washington DC USA
Specific Work The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 190 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.
Graduate Opportunities The IMF offers recruitment programs for entry-level roles: Economist Program (EP): Requires a recent PhD graduate or nearing completion, nationality from an IMF member country, and age under 34. Research Assistant Program (RAP): Requires a recent bachelor's degree with a 3.5 GPA, with some exceptions for locally-based master's degree candidates. Fund Internship Program (FIP): For Economic internships, suitable for PhD students under 32 or master's students under 28. Legal Department Internships require completion of an advanced law degree within one to two years and age under 32. For further information, please click here.
Fun Fact - IMF Climate Indicators Dashboard The International Monetary Fund has developed a Macroeconomic Climate Indicators Dashboard that allow the clear visualisation of how global economic activity is affecting the climate. The Dashboard presents further insights into the actions that respective governments are taking to address such matters, and creates relationships between distinct indicators of climate change to present a more holistic view of the matter. To access the Climate Indicators Dashboard, click here.
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OECD The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation that works to build better policies for better lives. Our goal is to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all. We draw on 60 years of experience and insights to better prepare the world of tomorrow.
•• Location Headquartered in Paris, France
Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.
Specific Work The organization, in collaboration with governments and stakeholders, strives to establish evidence-based international standards and address a spectrum of global challenges. They offer a knowledge hub with comprehensive reports, surveys, data points, policy briefs, and articles, serving as a trusted source for informed decision-making in policy arenas worldwide. They act as a global forum facilitating discussions, policy exploration, and knowledge sharing among nations and partners to enhance policy effectiveness, addressing critical issues such as inequality, youth unemployment, gender disparity, and more. Additionally, the organization sets international standards and codes, ranging from legally binding instruments to recommendations, guiding policymakers and promoting best practices on various aspects, from consumer protection to environmental preservation
Student Opportunities The OECD Internship Programme is open to students enrolled in a fully accredited degree programme (Bachelor, Master, PhD) during the entire duration of their internship. The programme aims to provide successful candidates with the opportunity to improve their analytical and technical skills in an international environment. Applications are accepted throughout the year via the online application platform. Selected interns are expected to work remotely until further notice. For further information, click here: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/careers/internships.html
Graduate Opportunities The Young Associates Programme (YAP) is a two-year programme for recent undergraduates to gain professional experience in multilateral policymaking, research and analysis. To be eligible, you must hold a Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in the academic field related to the position(s) of interest, have a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0, and be fluent in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French). You must also demonstrate evidence of being able to work constructively in a team, show how you will be able to contribute as a YA in your area of work, as well as your motivation to pursue a graduate degree in a relevant field after completing the Programme. In addition, it would be an asset if you have undertaken research, written reports or thesis related to the work area of the YA position and have extracurricular or work experience relevant to the YA position. For further information, click here: https://www.oecd.org/en/about/careers/internships.html
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Asian Human Rights Commission
••
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) was founded in 1984 by a prominent group of jurists and human rights activists in Asia. The organisation is an independent non-governmental body that seeks to promote greater understanding on the human rights implications in the Asian region, and to mobolise Asian and international public opinion to help seek legal redress for victims of human rights violations.
Specific Work The AHRC's objective is to create result-oriented debates that place human rights at the centre of the socio-economic and political discourse. They adopt a 5 point strategy: 1. Folk Schools: a co-learning space in which experts are invited to stimulate discussion on human rights and judicial systems. 2. Urgent Appeals: filed against human rights violations to create pressure on authorities to take immediate action. The appeal is issued to around 48,000 people across the world. 3. Cases for Judicial or Legal Action to be taken to courts. 4. Statements of a single or general issue to create public awareness and seek public reaction. 5. Internship program that invited young human rights activitists to Hong Kong for a period of 3 months to acquire knowledge of international law. However, the current project have no interns recruited.
Location Headquartered in Hong Kong
Student/Graduate Opportunities The AHRC and ALRC offer limited internship placements for case documentation, research, and communication assistance. Priority is given to individuals from partner organizations, who receive accommodation and support in Hong Kong. Others can apply if they meet certain conditions: stay for at least six months, have a strong legal background, country experience, and a keen interest in human rights. Applications are judged based on merit and AHRC's needs. Interns must be willing to work in countries with challenging human rights conditions. Selfsupported internships are very limited. To apply for a self-supported internship, provide personal details, explain your interest in human rights and Asia, share your educational and professional background, specify the desired internship period, mention flexibility with dates, describe how you will financially support the internship, and submit the application at least four months before the intended start date.
Fun Fact - Indonesia Press Release In May 2024, the Asian Human Rights Commission reflected upon the UN Human Rights Committee's highlighting of the serious human rights violations in Indonesia. The AHRC provided a valuable press release as part of its campaign strategy for the greater protection of human rights across South-east Asia. Relevant press releases may be accessed here.
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International Bar Association
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The IBA is the leading organization for international legal practitioners, bar associations, and law societies. Established in 1947, it aims to promote global stability and peace through the administration of justice. With a membership exceeding 80,000 individuals from over 170 countries, the IBA has evolved to include international lawyers and law firms. It provides assistance to the global legal community and influences the development of international law reform. Through its expertise and global membership, the IBA shapes the future of the legal profession worldwide.
Specific Work Grouped into two divisions – the Legal Practice Division and the Public and Professional Interest Division – the IBA covers all practice areas and professional interests, providing members with access to leading experts and up-to-date information.
Location London UK, Washington DC US, The Hague
Through the various committees of the divisions, the IBA enables an interchange of information and views among its members as to laws, practices and professional responsibilities relating to the practice of business law around the globe.
Student/Graduate Opportunities Intern positions are available at the International Bar Association (IBA) in London, Washington DC, and The Hague. Selected interns will assist the IBA in developing academic papers and research on key legal topics of local and international relevance. They will support various aspects of the association, including the IBA's Human Rights Institute in London, the Legal Policy & Research Unit in London, the ICC and ICL Programme in The Hague, and the North America office in Washington DC. Interns will have the opportunity to draft policy papers, prepare background research for grant proposals, and assist in implementing technical assistance programs in developing countries. For further information, click here.
Fun Fact - IBA Launches its Artificial Intelligence Institute IIn June 2026, the International Bar Association announced its decision to launch its own Artificial Intelligence Institute (IBA AI Institute). This is a new initiative dedicated to the promotion of responsible artifical intelligence (AI) governance through international cooperation on the interdiscplinary outreach of AI systems. The Institute's main aims are: Contribute expertise from the legal profession to the global dialogue of AI Support the shaping of future AI governance frameworks Promote the development of AI systems consistent with the rule of law, human rights, and democractic integrit Support the work of international organisations
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International Commission of Jurists
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The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is an international human rights NGO built around a standing group of 60 renowned jurists, all committed to strengthening human rights protections across the world's diverse legal systems. Through advocacy and policy work, the ICJ supports lawyers and judges in their efforts to uphold human rights and the rule of law.
Specific Work ICJ staff work closely with regional programs and national initiatives, drawing on the Commission's research to help shape policy. Legal advisers tackle a broad range of questions spanning international human rights law and international humanitarian law, while other roles including finance, administration and beyond, keep the organisation running. Students Opportunities The International Commission of Jurists offers its own Internship program, with availability depending on the vacancies at a given time. Interns are given practical and high exposure experiences to the functioning of UN organs alongside human rights and legal advocacy work. The internship is reserved for postgraduate students currently completing a postgraduate degree in law, political science, international relations or a related field. Priority is reserved for students studying law, especially human rights or international law.
Location Switzerland (Headquarters), Branch Offices in Thailand, Guatemala, South Africa, Nepal, Belgium and Tunisia.
Graduate Opportunities Recent graduates are encouraged to apply to the ICJ internship program, as the program is designed especially for their ease of entry into the diplomatic and international law space. Other vacancies can be found here.
For further information, please click here.
Fun Fact - 2021 Uzbekistan Movement On 24 September 2021, the ICJ teamed up with the OHCHR's Regional Office for Central Asia and the Nationwide Movement "Yuksalish" to launch a new project in Uzbekistan. Called EQUAL — "Enhancing the Quality of Uzbekistan's Application of International Law" — it's a three-year, EU-funded initiative run by the ICJ aimed at strengthening how economic, social and cultural rights are implemented and protected in the country. It builds on the success of ACCESS, an earlier EU-funded project the ICJ ran in Uzbekistan from 2017 to 2021. At the launch, partners shared their plans for taking international law implementation in Uzbekistan further.
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International Committee of the Red Cross
Location Switzerland
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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provides humanitarian protection and assistance to victims of war and other situations of violence. Its work reaches a wide range of people, including civilians in war-torn areas (or at risk of being caught in armed conflict), as well as women, children, detainees, internally displaced people, refugees, asylum seekers, people with disabilities and those reported missing. The ICRC also plays a defining role in international humanitarian law, standing as the leading guardian of the rules of conflict set out in the Geneva Conventions. With around 18,000 staff working across more than 90 countries, the ICRC gives its people work that directly affects those caught up in armed conflict and violence. It's a genuinely rewarding place to work, as employees might find themselves contributing to world-class research at headquarters one day, and out in the field working alongside vulnerable communities and civilians in need the next.
Student Opportunities The ICRC offers annual apprenticeships for students at its Geneva headquarters. Apprenticeships are available in fields such as business, administration, information, documentation, and logistics. As an apprentice, you will gain hands-on experience, receive coaching from experienced supervisors, and develop your skills. The apprenticeships last from one to three years and lead to a Swiss Federal Certificate of Proficiency (CFC). Recruitment takes place in March, and apprenticeships start in September. To apply, visit the ICRC career opportunities page and look for "apprenticeships." Graduate Opportunities Every year, over 80 "associate" positions are available for recent graduates at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) headquarters in Geneva. These positions serve as a first professional opportunity for graduates to develop their expertise and gain valuable experience in the leading humanitarian organization. Associates join various departments, including International Law and Policy, Communication and Information Management, Operations, Financial Resources and Logistics, and Human Resources, where they contribute to research, evaluation, analysis, and writing. The ICRC values its associates and provides them with the chance to grow their skills, potential, and employability while making a meaningful impact Fun Fact - ICRC Immersive Technology Starting as early as 2012, the ICRC Immersive Technology project was a pioneering tool that used the ability for Virtual Reality Units (VRU) to replace outdated or controversial war footage with computer-generated imagery. By 2019, growing demand and investment promtped the ICRC's Innovation Board to commission deeper research into the value of immersive technology. The outcome of almost 20 years of research communicatd how virtual training could produce results nearly identical to in-person training. In 2025, the ICRC's VRU officially became the Immersive Technology (ImmTech) team to better reflect its expanding role.
LLB/JD students who are interested in the ICRC may choose to research into the following overseas elective: LAWS3181
JURD7381
International Humanitarian Law More information can be accessed here.
International Humanitarian Law More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB More information can be accessed here.
JD More information can be accessed here.
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International Criminal Police Organisation The International Criminal Police Organization is an intergovernmental organization. It has 194 member countries, and we help police in all of them to work together to make the world a safer place. To do this, INTERPOL enables police in different countries to share and access data on crimes and criminals, and they offer a range of technical and operational support.
•• Location France (Headquarters), Singapore
Specific Work You may work in one of three anti-crime departments: Cybercrime Organised and Emerging Crime Counter-terrorism You will have the opportunity to get involved in formulating policy in various countries to continually improve law enforcement
Student Opportunities INTERPOL offers internships in both policing and support services, providing work experience in an international organization and an understanding of international police cooperation. Internships are available in various areas, including security, crime matters, communications, strategic planning, and human resources. Most internship opportunities are based in INTERPOL's Lyon headquarters in France, but there are also opportunities in other duty stations. The length of an internship varies from six to 11 months, depending on the needs of the hiring service. More information about INTERPOL internships can be found on their website. Graduate Opportunities Fun Fact - History: The '12 Wishes' Graduates can also apply to the INTERPOL internship The idea for the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) program. Other vacancies can be found here as they arise here. More information on careers at INTERPOL can be found here.
officially began in 1914 with '12 wishes' drafted by police and legal representatives from 24 countries. Interestingly, the First International Criminal Police Congress was held in Monaco at the request of Prince Albert I, who wanted advice on capturing thieves that had targeted Monaco's' luxury casinos. What began as quashing casino-related theft grew into 12 wishes for the future of international law enforcement.
LLB/JD students who are interested in the ICRC may choose to research into the following overseas elective: LAWS3067
JURD7891
International Criminal Law More information can be accessed here.
International Criminal Law More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB More information can be accessed here.
JD More information can be accessed here.
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United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
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UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture. UNESCO builds educational tools that help people live as global citizens, free from hate and intolerance, and works to make sure every child and Location France (Headquarters). Field Offices in citizen has access to quality education. By championing cultural heritage the Asia-Pacific region include Samoa, and the equal dignity of all cultures, it helps bring nations closer together. Thailand, China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, It also drives scientific cooperation, defends freedom of expression as Indonesia, India and Nepal. There are vital to democracy, and acts as a kind of idea lab — helping countries also Field Offices in the United States, Switzerland, Brazil and Peru, among adopt international standards and share knowledge freely. others. Student Opportunities The UNESCO Internship Programme offers you pratical work in a multicultural environment. Aside from helping you understand the Organization's mandate, programmes and main thrusts, it also enhances your academic knowledge with relevant work assignments that can help you prepare for your future career. The UNESCO Volunteer Programme offers opportunities to contribute to a wide range of UNESCO programmes. Volunteers may also provide online volunteering services where assignments are completed, in whole Graduate Opportunities Recent graduates can also apply to or in part, via Internet and a home computer. UNESCO's internship and more info on these programs, please visit: volunteering programs. Other job For https://www.unesco.org/en/careers/other-opportunities opportunities can be found here.
Fun Fact - 25 New Inscribed Properties - UNESCO In July 2026, UNESCO made headlines by adding 25 new properties to its World Heritage List at the 48th Session of the World Heritage Committee. These included 19 new Cultural properties, 5 new natural properties and 1 mixed natural property. Interestingly, some of the new inscribed cultural properties include the Amazonia Theaters in Brazil and the Beaches of the D-Day Landings, Normandy, 1944 in France. To see the whole list of newly inscribed properties, click here.
LLB/JD students interested in UNESCO and the connection between history/culture and the law may choose the following elective(s): LAWS3182
JURD7367
International Human Rights Law and Advocacy More information can be accessed here.
International Law, Human Rights and Cultural Heritage More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB More information can be accessed here.
JD More information can be accessed here.
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United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Location New York (Headquarters), with Branch Offices around the world including Australia.
•••
UNICEF, also known as the United Nations Children's Fund, is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide.
UNICEF's New York headquarters has plenty going on — fixed-term and temporary roles, internships, volunteering and consultancy work, spread across teams like communications, data and policy research, emergencies, ethics, evaluation, finance and admin, HR, ICT, internal audit, innovation, programs and public partnerships. The people behind it all range from international professionals and national officers to general service staff and consultants.
Student Opportunities The UNICEF Internship Programme gives students and recent graduates a chance to get hands-on experience with UNICEF's work around the world. Offices post internship opportunities as the need arises, and candidates apply directly through the UNICEF website. Internships typically run 6 to 26 weeks, with the work shaped by both the host office's needs and the intern's own skills and interests — most involve research, database management or communications. For further information, visit the UNICEF website here. Current UNICEF vacancies are listed here. Graduate Opportunities Recent graduates are also encouraged to apply to the aforementioned UNICEF internship program. Fun Fact - U-Report: UNICEF's free mobile platform U-Report gives over 10 million young people in 68 countries a voice on the key issues that they feel matter to them. It is a tool of empowerment developed by UNICEF to operate alongside the platform's ability to share vital information in emergencies and across all areas that impact young people's lives. During the COVID-19 crisis, U-Report utilised an Information Chatbot that allowed users to ask questions about the virus and recieve preprogrammed answers from experts.
LLB/JD students interested in UNESCO and the connection between history/culture and the law may choose the following elective(s): LAWS3392
LAWS3513
LAWS3543
JURD7492
JURD7813
JURD7549
Children and the Law
Indigenous Children and the Law More information can be accessed here.
Child Rights Comparative Clinical Program: India More information can be accessed here.
Children and the Law
Indigenous Children and the Law More information can be accessed here.
Child Rights Comparative Clinical Program: India More information can be accessed here.
More information can be accessed here.
More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB The handbook can be accessed here.
JD The handbook can be accessed here.
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United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
•••
Established in 1964 by the UN General Assembly, UNCTAD promotes fair and effective access to the benefits of a globalised economy, helping countries navigate economic integration through analysis, consensus-building and technical assistance. At the national, regional and global levels, it supports inclusive and sustainable development across trade, investment, finance and technology — spanning areas such as economic diversification, managing financial volatility and debt, attracting investment, digital access, entrepreneurship and innovation, value chain development, cross-border trade, consumer protection, competition, and climate adaptation Location Switzerland
Employees work on ad hoc projects relating to investment, international trade, technology, economics and various others.
Student Opportunities The UNCTAD internship is unpaid and full-time, with interns expected to work five days per week. Interns will work from home, as the current modalities of work at the United Nations Offices are online. Applicants from developing countries with a maximum 6 hours time difference with New York are encouraged to apply. Interns are required to have the necessary IT equipment and connection for online meetings. The responsibilities of the intern include monitoring and summarizing relevant UN meetings, assisting in the preparation of briefings and meetings, and performing research and information cataloguing related to the work of UNCTAD. Opportunities for internships can be found on the UN careers website For more information, click here.
Graduate Opportunities Recent graduates are also encouraged to apply to the aforementioned UNCTAD internship program. Fun Fact - UN Development Account Projects The UN Development Account Project is a part of the technical cooperation that UNCTAD is involved in. The Account is a capacity development programme of the United Nations Secretariat aimed at enhancing the capacities of developing countries in priority areas of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UNCTAD is one of 10 implementing entitites of the United Nations Secretariate, and has implemented numerous Development Account projects across the continents. For an interactive map/website of the Development Account Project, click here.
LLB/JD Students interested in the WTO may choose to take the following elective(s): LAWS3084
LAWS3354
International Trade Law: The Law and Policy of the WTO More information can be accessed here.
International Trade Remedies: Law and Practices More information can be accessed here.
JURD7689 World Trade Law: Contemporary Issues and Concerns More information can be accessed here.
JURD7472
JURD7484
JURD7554
Law of the World Trade Organisation
International Trade Law: The Law and Policy of the WTO
More information can be accessed here.
More information can be accessed here.
International Trade Remedies: Law and Practices More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB The handbook can be accessed here.
JD The handbook can be accessed here.
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United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
•••
UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. They help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. UNDP focuses on helping countries build and share solutions in three main areas: - Sustainable development - Democratic governance and peacebuilding - Climate and disaster resilience
Student Opportunities Internships at UNDP are a great opportunity for students and recent graduates to acquire direct exposure to UNDP's work. Internships can take place in UNDP Country Offices, at Regional Hubs or at Headquarters in New York. The duration of an internship assignment varies in length according to the availability and academic requirements of the intern, as well as the needs of UNDP. Assignments are available on a part-time and full-time basis throughout the year
Location New York (Headquarters)
Visit the UNDP Job Page for advertising internship opportunities: https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_jobs.cfm? cur_rgn_id_c=RAS&_gl=1*84lok7*_ga*NDY4NDQ2NTM0LjE3ODc5MzYzOTY.*_ga _PBF14M9C6G*czE3ODc5MzYzOTYkbzEkZzEkdDE3ODc5MzY0MTEkajQ1JGw wJGgw
Graduate Opportunties The UNDP uses various personnel categories, including Professional (P) and Director (D) staff, as well as General Service (G) staff. P and D positions require strong analytical and communication skills, substantial experience, and often leadership ability. General Service roles include administrative, secretarial, and clerical support, as well as specialized positions such as building maintenance. The higher the level of the job, the more complex the functions become. Opportunities for internships at UNDP can be found on their website Fun Fact - 2030 Agenda The 2030 Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. It also seeks to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom. It recognizes that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. All countries and all stakeholders, acting in collaborative partnership, are implementing this Agenda.
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United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Location Kenya (Headquarters)
•••
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Their mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. The UNEP categorizes its work into seven broad thematic areas: climate change, disasters and conflicts, ecosystem management, environmental governance, chemicals and waste, resource efficiency, and environment under review. In all of their work, they maintain our overarching commitment to sustainability. They work closely with Member States as well as representatives from civil society, businesses, and other Major Groups and Stakeholders. They are always looking for new ways to leverage partnerships to drive sustainable development.
Student Opportunities The following internship programs are offered: - Environment Affairs Intern - Programme Support Intern Enterprise Risk Management Intern These internships can last several months, may require a full-time committment and may be unpaid. More info: https://www.unenvironment.org/work-with-us Graduate Opportunities Graduates are also offered the opportunity to apply for the aforementioned internship programs. Fun Fact - U-Report: UNICEF's free mobile platform U-Report gives over 10 million young people in 68 countries a voice on the key issues that they feel matter to them. It is a tool of empowerment developed by UNICEF to operate alongside the platform's ability to share vital information in emergencies and across all areas that impact young people's lives. During the COVID-19 crisis, U-Report utilised an Information Chatbot that allowed users to ask questions about the virus and recieve preprogrammed answers from experts.
LLB/JD students interested in UNESCO and the connection between history/culture and the law may choose the following elective(s): LAWS3838
LAWS3361
Climate Diplomacy More information can be accessed here.
Environmental Law More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB The handbook can be accessed here.
JD The handbook can be accessed here.
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United Nations General Assembly
•••
The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 193 Member States of the UN, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of international issues including peace and security. Diplomatic meetings and deliberative sessions are the primary element of the work at the UN General Assembly. Location New York
Student Opportunities The Australian Mission to the United Nations offers internship positions during the high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) from mid-September to mid-December. The internship program is intense and diverse, requiring flexibility, analytical thinking, and a firm understanding of diplomatic principles. Interns will work under experienced officers and assist with policy work on the main UNGA Committees, attend meetings and negotiations, and assist with events and high-level visits. Training will be provided at the beginning of the program. The Australian Mission represents Australia at UN meetings and conferences and participates in the ongoing work of other UN bodies For further information, visit the website here
Graduate Opportunities Graduates are also offered the opportunity to apply for the aforementioned internship programs. Graduate Opportunities Recent graduates are also encouraged to apply to the aforementioned UNCTAD internship program. Fun Fact - 81st Session of the UN General Assembly On Tuesday, September 8 2026, the UN General Assembly opened the 81st Session, once again convening world leaders to revitalise global cooperation. The panel discussions on SDG solutions spanned from 21-25 September, including key events like the 40th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, and the 25th Anniversaty of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Critically, on the 29 of September, the High-Level Plenary Meeting to Commemorate and Promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons was conducted to highlight the necessity for strict control of nuclear energy in a turbulent future.
LLB Students interested in the international law and the UN may choose to take the following elective(s): LAWS3146 Human Rights Law (New York) More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) Handbook. LLB The handbook can be accessed here.
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United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
•••
The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was created in 1950, during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes. Today, over 69 years later, the organization is still hard at work, protecting and assisting refugees around the world. UNHCR works in 135 countries, with personnel based in a mixture of regional and branch offices and sub and field offices. Their teams work hard to help the displaced, specializing in a wide range of disciplines, including: Legal Protection Administration Community Services Public Affairs Health Location Switzerland (Headquarters)
Student Opportunities UNHCR’s Internship Programme offers eligible students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain experience in the humanitarian sector in an international environment, in line with their academic programme or future work in a field related to UNHCR’s mission. Internships are offered at various locations depending on the needs and capacity of offices to receive and supervise interns and provide them with meaningful assignments. An internship can begin at any time during the year and it normally lasts two to six months. More info here. Graduate Opportunities Recent graduates can also apply to UNHCR's Internship Programme. Fun Fact - Youth with Refugees Art Contest The UNHCR's Youth with Refugees Art Contest encourages young people across the world to use their creativity to support people forced to flee. The specific theme of the 2026 edition was “Hope Away from Home". UNHCR received 4,000 drawings from 100 countries.
LLB students interested in the UNRWA and refugee interaction with the law may choose to take the following elective(s): LAWS3187
JURD7387
Forced Migration and Human Rights in International Law More information can be accessed here.
Forced Migration and Human Rights in International Law More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB The handbook can be accessed here.
JD The handbook can be accessed here.
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United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Location Austria (Headquarters), Branch offices around the world
•••
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs, transnational organized crime, terrorism and corruption.
The UNODC serves various purposes, including: - Running campaigns - Holding commissions to investigate crime as well as the distribution, spread and usage of illicit drugs around the world. The UNODC accepts unpaid interns on an ad hoc basis, with a focus on candidates from developing countries. The internship program aims to provide enrolled university students with the opportunity to work at UNODC, gain practical experience, and contribute to the organization's work. Interested students should contact the Regional Office in Bangkok or the Country Offices directly, as the internship programs are administered by each respective office. For further information, please visit here.
Graduate Opportunities UNODC is seeking qualified, energetic professionals in a wide range of fields to join in the effort to combat the threats posed by drugs, crime and terrorism. UNODC offers challenging assignments - monitoring drug abuse and trafficking trends, helping States achieve substantial reductions in drug supply and demand and assisting countries in forging new partnerships for tackling important issues such as money-laundering, smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings. Around 1,500 people work at UNODC headquarters in Vienna and in field offices around the world. More info here. Fun Fact - International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking UNODC launches campaigns to raise awareness of drugs and crime problems. On 26 June every year, UNODC marks the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. In 2026, the campaign theme was "World drug problem: persisting issues, new challenges, innovative responses". The aim is to increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities.
LLB/JD students interested in UNESCO and the connection between history/culture and the law may choose the following elective(s): LAWS3427
JURD7527
Drug Law and Policy More information can be accessed here.
Drug Law and Policy More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB The handbook can be accessed here.
JD The handbook can be accessed here.
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United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Location New York (Headquarters), various regional and liaison offices around the world
•••
TUNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. A specialized agency such as UNFPA focuses on achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health, realizing productive rights, and reducing maternal mortality, and to accelerate progress on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICDP) agenda.
Student Opportunities The UNFPA Internship Programme offers students the chance to gain practical experience in various aspects of UNFPA work. Applicants should have an interest in development, adaptability, and the ability to work with diverse cultures. Interns are supervised by UNFPA staff and selected based on qualifications. Requirements include enrollment in an advanced degree program or recent graduation, proficiency in English, and knowledge of French, Spanish, or Arabic is a plus. For further information, please visit here.
Graduate Opportunities UNFPA organizes its personnel into three main staff categories: Professional (P) and Director (D) staff, General Service (G) staff, and National Professional Officers (NO). These categories are used across the United Nations system and have different levels that correspond to increasing responsibilities and requirements. The organization offers various employment and internship opportunities to support its work around the world. For more information on local positions, it is recommended to contact the UNFPA office in your area Fun Fact - Family Planning Family planning is central to women’s empowerment and sustainable development. Today, more than 300 million women in developing countries are using contraception, but more than 214 million women who want to plan their births do not have access to modern family planning. UNFPA works with governments and partners to promote universal access to quality, integrated sexual and reproductive health services. UNFPA also promotes comprehensive sexuality education and youth leadership, which empower young people to exercise autonomy, choice and participation with regard to their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
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United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Location Jordan (Field Office), Various locations in the Middle East
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The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) supports the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, UNRWA was established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programmes for Palestine refugees. The Agency began operations on 1 May 1950. In the absence of a solution to the Palestine refugee problem, the General Assembly has repeatedly renewed UNRWA's mandate, most recently extending it until 30 June 2029. Employees work in the Middle East, in countries such as Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. There are five fields of operation, namely: people, education, health, relief and Social Services Microfinance. Employees work in one of these five teams in order to effectively carry out the organisation’s operations.
Student Opportunities Internships at the UNRWA provide students and recent graduates the opportunity to be a part of humanitarian development missions. The opportunities are available at UNRWA offices, including the Headquarters Amman, and Field Offices of Jordan, Lebanon, West Bank and the Representation Offices in New York, Brussels, and Washington. Eligible applicants include final year undergraduates, postgraduates and graduates within the last 12 months. No working experience is required, and programs can last between 6 weeks to a maximum of 11 months. Interns are responsible for arranging and financing their own travel and medical insurance as well as living expenses during the internship. For further information, please visit here. For access to the 2026 Global Internship Roster, please visit here.
Graduate Opportunities Graduates may also apply to the aforementioned internship opportunities.
Fun Fact - Multi-generational History The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has provided assistance to four generations of Palestine refugees. These refugees are defined as individuals who lost their homes and livelihoods during the 1948 conflict in Palestine. UNRWA's services are available to all registered Palestine refugees and their descendants, totaling around 5.6 million individuals. The agency offers various services, including basic education, primary healthcare, and humanitarian assistance to those in need. UNRWA plays a crucial role in supporting the welfare and development of Palestine refugees in its areas of operation
LLB/JD students interested in UNESCO and the connection between history/culture and the law may choose the following elective(s): LAWS3187
JURD7387
Forced Migration and Human Rights in International Law More information can be accessed here.
Forced Migration and Human Rights in International Law More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB The handbook can be accessed here.
JD The handbook can be accessed here.
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United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)
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Location United States (Headquarters), Thailand (Asia-Pacific Regional Office), Liaison Offices in the Asia-Pacific Region: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
The United Nations Equity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, is a United Nations entity working for the empowerment of women. It formed in early 2011 in response to the need to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
UN Women works on campaigns for global gender equality. They work closely with NGOs and members of civil society to further their advocacy. Work is vastly varied and is rewarding for those who are passionate about finding innovative ways to promote gender equality. Student Opportunities UN Women (Headquarters) offers an Internship Programme to outstanding students enrolled in a master's, postmaster's, or doctorate programme or in the final year of a bachelor's programme. Applications and active internship opportunites are posted on the careers website here. UN Women Australia offers volunteering and internship opportunities focused on International Women's Day events or other events. The internship program runs from November to March and is open to students who can recieve course credit. Interns provide admininstrative and event support, gaining valuabe experience in the nonprofit sector. Expressions of interest and further information can be accessed here.
Graduate Opportunities The aforementioned UN Women (Headquarters) Internshp is also available for graduates who are able to commence the internship within two years of graduation. "UN Women is one of the UN organizations that participates in the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) programme. The JPO programme allows young professionals to acquire hands-on experience in the development field under the sponsorship of their respective governments. This opportunity and others (including full-time paid opportunities) an be found here. Fun Fact - UN Women Statistics: Women in Leadership and Politics UN Women deliver imperative insights into the statistical involvement of women in numerous fields from sport to leadership/political communication. Research and investigation conducted by UN Women as of 1 January 2026 reveals that women represnent only 22.4% of Cabinet members heading Ministeries. There are only 14 countries in which women hold 50$ or more of the positions of Cabinet Ministers leading policy areas.
LLB/JD students interested in UNESCO and the connection between history/culture and the law may choose the following elective(s): LAWS3445
JURD7745
Women and Gender Law ILS Prune More information can be accessed here.
Woman and Gender Law ILS Prune More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB The handbook can be accessed here.
JD The handbook can be accessed here.
130 Public Interest Careers Guide
World Food Programme (WFP) Location Headquartered in Rome, Italy with offices in 87 countries
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The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organisation focused on saving lives in emergencies and natural crisis. The WFP mobilises food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of extreme weather. The organisation operates in over 120 countries and territories to deliver necessary aid to those left destitute following conflict and natural disasters, and is governed by the WFP Executive Board, which consists of 36 Member states to provide intergovernmental support, direction and supervision of activities.
Specific Work Aside from its critical work in the provision of food assistance and crisis relief, the WFP operates innovatively to resolve the global hunger crises by working to enhance nutrition in women and children, supporting smallhold farmers in improving productivity and reducing losses, helping communities prepare for climate-related shocks, and boosting human capital through school feeding programmes. The WFP's motto is best captured by the phrase: 'We save lives. We change lives'. This two-part mission involves the WFP's emergency relief resources that include 4,300 trucks, 55 aircraft and 135 ships on the move to deliver emergency assistance, development aid and special operations to people affected by conflict or natural disasters. WFP works to change lives through their implementation of school-meal programmes wordwide. Student Opportunities The WFP offers a selection of Young Talent Programmes including: - Junior Professional Officer (JPO) - WFP Internship Programme - WFP Fellowship Programme - WFP Volunteer - United Nations Volunteer The WFP Internship Programme is open to students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate programme, having attended classes in the past 12 months and completed as least two years of undergraduate studies. The WFP Volunteer Programme is open to passionate individuals aged 18 and over who are committed to the WFP's goals and mission. Volunteer assignments are located at headquarters, regional bureaux and country offices around the world, with opportunities lasting 12 months. The United Nations Volunteer Programme is connected with the WFP, providing an alternative path to entry for passionate individuals. For further information on the Young Talent Programmes, please visit: https://www.wfp.org/careers/contracttypes For current job openings, please visit: https://wd3.myworkdaysite.com/recruiting/wfp/job_openings? workerSubType=59387fe40123101e856f1834e09b0002
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World Food Programme (WFP)
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Graduate Opportunities The aforementioned Young Talent Programmes are also available for recent graduates and post-graduate students. The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) role is a management and programme implementation role that is open to individuals who hold an advanced university degree with a minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience. The WFP Fellowship Programme is open to talented Master's and PhD students who bring a strong professional and technical capacity to the humanitarian sector. The fellowship is open to Master's or PhD student or graduate, researcher or professor, with an advanced level of technical knowledge in any of WFP's fields of work, and typically completed at least an undergraduate programme.
Fun Fact - WFP's 2026 Nepal Aid Project As of August 2026, the WFP's most recent project has been the provision of logistical assistance and initial food rations to the affected communities of the Nepalese deadly floods and landslides. As the crisis unfolds, the WFP is at the forefront of humanitarian support, having dispatched nutrient-packed ready-to-eat food rations (high-energy biscuits) for hundres of affected households that do not have immediate access to cooking facilities.
LLB students interested in the UNRWA and refugee interaction with the law may choose to take the following elective(s): LAWS3216 Forced Migration and Human Rights in International Law More information can be accessed here.
For further information on electives, please visit the UNSW Law (LLB) or (JD) Handbook: LLB The handbook can be accessed here.
JD The handbook can be accessed here.
Chapter 7 Additional Testimonies
Public Interest Careers Guide 133 Welfare Rights Centre I joined the WRC in 2025 as a volunteer administrative assistant and am now involved in client intake work. Across both roles, my interactions with clients experiencing significant hardship have demonstrated the real-world impact that legal work can have on individuals. I have found that the legal theory we learn at university can sometimes feel abstract and detached from the people it ultimately affects. My experience at the WRC has shown me that effective legal service extends beyond legal knowledge as it requires empathy, compassion and an understanding of individual circumstances. – Reiyan Sahul
Environmental Defenders’ Office I joined EDO in 2021, as a junior lawyer after spending my first three years post-admission undertaking commercial litigation in private practice. During my time at EDO, I have worked across all Australian jurisdictions, including a twelve-month posting to Tasmania. In my current role as a senior solicitor in the National Litigation team and as EDO’s human rights co-lead, I undertake complex litigation and casework on behalf of EDO’s clients, primarily focused on climate change and human rights. Our volunteers, graduates and junior lawyers are an essential part of EDO. They assist our se nior lawyers with providing complex, often novel, legal research and advice, preparing for attending court hearings across all jurisdictions in Australia and supporting our essential law reform work, including appearing before public parliamentary public hearings. – Joshua Paveley
134 Public Interest Careers Guide Supreme Court of New South Wales The Supreme Court of New South Wales is the highest court in the state. It has unlimited civil jurisdiction and hears the most serious criminal matters. I began working as a tipstaff for a Judge of the Equity Division of the Supreme Court in January 2026. During my time as a Tipstaff, I have watched a range of hearings across the many different areas of law that arise in matters in the Equity Division, including real property, succession, corporation law, and contract law. Outside of court, I routinely review key documents in advance of hearings, prepare memoranda identifying central legal issues, conduct legal research, and proofread judgments. The opportunity to work as a tipstaff or associate for a judge of any court is invaluable, and I highly recommend that law students with an interest in litigation consider applying. Should anyone wish to discuss this further, please feel free to contact me on LinkedIn or by email at haydenosefton@gmail.com. – Hayden Sefton
Gilbert + Tobin I am a lawyer at Gilbert + Tobin with a practise spanning climate change and sustainability, ESG risk and disputes, and business and human rights. I advise on innovative decarbonisation and sustainability projects, carbon contracts and environmental product transactions, climate regulation, greenwashing, strategic ESG compliance, and disputes and regulatory investigations. I have also advised on international sustainability matters, including environmental products and climate finance initiatives involving the Pacific. I regularly publish and present on environmental law, serve on LAWASIA’s Environmental Law Committee, and lecture at the University of New South Wales and Australian National University. I was previously Tipstaff to the Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales and an Associate in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia – both highly enriching experiences – Lily Morton
Public Interest Careers Guide 135 Inner City Legal Centre Inner City Legal Centre is a not-for-profit community legal centre offering free legal services to Sydney's inner city, north shore and eastern suburbs. We provide specialist support for the LGBTQIA+ community, trans and gender diverse individuals, and sex workers across New South Wales. Our team advocates continuously to improve access to justice and equality for historically underrepresented groups through law reform projects, outreach partnerships, and community education. Our solicitors assist clients with one-off free legal advice for matters related to employment, harassment or vilification, discrimination, crime, debt, fines, and some family law. ICLC also runs a weekly LGBTQIA+ duty service at Downing Centre Local Court, where solicitors provide legal advice and make appearances for qualified walk-in clients. As CEO, my role often involves building strong partnerships with peer organisations, legal services, elected representatives, and other stakeholders to secure much needed funding and ensure that clients who seek out ICLC's assistance will be connected with a network of support. Assisting vulnerable groups requires our team of solicitors, office staff, and volunteers to create meaningful connections with clients and provide safe, trauma-informed, and gender-affirming support at the centre. – Katie Green