Are you an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander law graduate looking for a great opportunity in 2025? Read on about this amazing opportunity with Legal Aid NSW!
This vacancy is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identified recruitment under Part 5, clause 26 of the Government Sector Employment (General) Rules 2014.
If you identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and are thinking about applying, you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch for a confidential discussion by emailing: ******.
This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies and may be used to create a Talent Pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months. Successful candidates must be able to commence the program in March 2025.
About us
Legal Aid NSW helps people with their legal problems. We can help people with most areas of criminal law, family law and everyday civil law legal issues. We give legal advice, help at court and do family dispute resolution. We can do this over the telephone or at one of our 28 offices.
About the role
In the Graduate Solicitor role, you will be responsible for:
providing high quality advice, minor assistance and casework services to people experiencing disadvantage in NSW.
conducting an effective legal practice, complying with the Legal Aid Commission Act, policies and practice management standards.
undertaking all related administrative and case management activities.
Please Note: Legal Aid NSW considers that being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is a genuine occupational qualification under s 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).
Applicants for this role must satisfy the Aboriginality criteria. Aboriginality is defined by descent through parentage, identification as being Aboriginal and being accepted in the community as such. In the pre-screening questions you will need to provide information on how you satisfy the Aboriginality criteria.
About you
We are looking for committed and hard-working newly admitted solicitors to join our two-year rotational Graduate Program. You will work as a legal practitioner and have the opportunity to undertake two (12 month) jurisdiction rotations between our Criminal, Family, Civil and/or Policy Divisions. For further details on our practice divisions and specialist units/teams, please refer to Aboriginal Graduate Program – FAQS - 2025.
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW!
We are committed to diversity and inclusion
We are committed to creating a culturally safe and genuinely inclusive organisation and workplace for everyone who works and interacts with us. We strive to be a place where people from diverse backgrounds want to work, where voices and cultures are valued and where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard.
We want a workforce that reflects our clients, so we can deliver a service that meets the needs of the community. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTQI+ community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities.
We acknowledge, support and accommodate the diverse access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities. If you need an adjustment to participate in the recruitment process, or you'd like information about what we can do to help you, please contact our team at ******.
Other benefits of working with us
You will have access to training, development and mentoring opportunities.
We are an accredited Flex Ready certified employer and are recognised as leaders in the area of flexible work. Most of our staff work flexibly — for example, from home some of the time or in a way that helps them balance family and work life.
The essential requirements for this role
You must:
be an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
have sound academic grades in a LLB (or equivalent law qualification) from an accredited body.
be willing to do a Criminal Record Check and a Working with Children Check
be eligible to hold a NSW Practising Certificate by the commencement of the roles by 24 March 2025.
have less than 18 months post admission legal work experience.
How to apply
You MUST submit your application online through iworkfor.nsw.gov.au. If you submit your application late or by email it will NOT be accepted.
Your application must include:
your academic transcript of your legal qualification
your resume (no more than 5 pages, in word or PDF format)
cover letter (no more than 2 pages, in word or PDF format). In your cover letter, please respond to the following 2 targeted questions:
1. Why would you like to work for Legal Aid NSW and what would you consider to be the major challenges of this role?
2. What strengths and skills would you bring to the role to overcome these challenges?
Make sure your application is complete and you have answered all questions before you submit it.
Do you need help to apply?
It's important to properly prepare before you apply for a role. Here is some other information to help you:
Interested candidates are encouraged to first read the Aboriginal Graduate Program FAQS - 2025 to ensure they meet eligibility criteria. The FAQs outlines frequently asked questions and answers for the graduate program.
The Role Description sets out the responsibilities and focus capabilities of the role.
The focus capabilities and key accountabilities in the role description indicate what is the expected standard for the role. Being familiar with these will help you understand what the panel will be looking for in the successful candidate.
If you have questions about the role, you can contact Alison Szylo, Manager Aboriginal Programs at 02 9219 5811 or email: ******
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