Aboriginal Identified - Legal Cadet Program 2025
About the Judge Bob Bellear Legal Career Pathways - Cadetship Program
The Cadetship Program provides opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Law students to undertake paid employment whilst completing their Law degree.
It is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are:
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent and identify and are accepted as such in the community; currently undertaking a law degree in an approve Australian tertiary institution and can provide evidence of enrolment and; available to commence a cadetship on 17 February 2025. 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.
This is an Aboriginal identified recruitment. This means we want to recruit an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person for this role. Identified roles help organisations hire Aboriginal people who bring their cultural knowledge, community experience and expertise to deliver services to Aboriginal communities and increase the cultural competency of the organisation. We are proud to have more Aboriginal solicitors than any legal practice in NSW and our aim is that 11% of all staff will be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
About us
Legal Aid NSW helps people with their legal problems. We can help people with most areas criminal law, family law and every day 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 you
We are looking for applicants who:
have a sound academic track record; can work in a diverse and challenging work environment; are good communicators; are committed to offering excellent customer service and sensitive to the needs of our disadvantaged client groups in a social justice environment; are interested in our legal practice areas; can demonstrate initiative, adaptability, and problem-solving skills; able to work in a high-volume work environment as a valued team member; and highly motivated and can drive their own self-development. Please Note: Legal Aid NSW considers that being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander 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 the role
You will assist legal officers in conducting an effective legal practice by undertaking file work and legal research. This role works collaboratively with practice staff including legal officers and administrative staff.?
Legal Cadets get the opportunity to gain experience and knowledge in the Criminal, Family or Civil Divisions by:
assisting legal officers in conducting an effective legal practice. undertaking file work and legal research. working collaboratively with practice staff (legal officers and administrative staff). complying with the Legal Aid Commission Act, policies and practice management standards. As part of the program, you will:
be employed as a temporary employee. undertake full time study toward an undergraduate law degree. undertake a paid work placement for a maximum of 60 days per year (420 hours); either part time (during semester) or full time (during semester break) depending on operational requirements. receive a pro-rata salary for days worked during the placement and a fortnightly study allowance during the period of the cadetship. undertake work placements in the areas of Criminal, Family or Civil law. 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.