Aboriginal Identified - Solicitor I-III Graduate Program

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working

Professional Growth

Wellbeing

Job summary

Legal Aid NSW is offering a two-year Graduate Solicitor program commencing March 2027, with two structured placements across Civil, Family and/or Criminal Law practice areas. You will gain hands-on casework experience, advocacy skills, and direct supervision from experienced solicitors while working in a culturally safe environment.

You will join a supportive team across 28 NSW offices, with opportunities to grow professionally and contribute to services that support Aboriginal communities and

Qualifications

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity is required.
• Be admitted or eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW.
• Provide a current NSW Practising Certificate before you start.
• Willing to undergo Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check.
• Legal qualifications are required.

Responsibilities

• Deliver meaningful work with clients and develop advocacy and casework skills.
• Undertake two structured placements in Civil, Family and/or Criminal Law.
• Receive supervision from experienced solicitors while growing as a lawyer.
• Work in a culturally safe workplace with mentors to support your development.

Skills

Criminal Law

Family Law

Civil Law

Job description

“This is where I became a better lawyer, not just a more experienced one.”

• Temporary Full-time from March 2027 to March 2029
• Real skills in Criminal, Family, or Civil Law
• Work from any Legal Aid office across NSW

Why Legal Aid?

“There’s nowhere else I could get this breadth of work and still feel genuinely supported.”

Legal Aid NSW is a place where your culture and your future are valued. We work with many Aboriginal clients across NSW, and your cultural knowledge and voice make our work stronger and more meaningful. You will learn from supportive staff, build real legal skills, and work in a team that’s committed to cultural safety and justice for community.

This two-year Graduate Program is part of the Judge Bob Bellear (JBB) Aboriginal Legal Career Pathways Program, designed to help you build a strong, well-rounded legal career at Legal Aid NSW.

Across the program you will undertake two structured placements in Civil, Family, and/or Criminal Law practice areas. Each placement offers hands‑on casework experience, exposure to diverse client groups, and direct supervision from experienced solicitors.

By the time you finish, you’ll walk away with skills and experience that can open doors, whether at Legal Aid NSW or anywhere else.

About The Role

“This job reminded me why I studied law in the first place.” This is a role where being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement. This means that your lived experience, cultural knowledge and community connection is essential to succeeding in this role and the services being provided.

As a Graduate Solicitor, you’ll step straight into meaningful work that matters. You’ll support clients who need you most, build real skills in advocacy and casework, and grow into a confident lawyer with the backing of mentors who believe in you.

You’ll be supported in a culturally safe workplace that values your identity, your strengths and your future. With 28 offices across NSW, you may be placed in a location that keeps you close to your mob and community (depending on operational needs and supervision).

We’re recruiting four Graduate Solicitors to start March 2027 - an opportunity to rise, learn, practise with impact.

About You

“You understand that for clients, this isn’t just a legal problem — it’s their life.” You are open to learning, eager to grow and willing to embrace every part of the journey. You take on feedback with courage, adapt with ease, and bring curiosity to every challenge.

You listen with respect, work well with others, and stay steady when things get hard. You care deeply about helping people who need it most, and you value a workplace where culture, integrity and community truly matter.

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 Legal Aid NSW

We stand beside people when they need it most.

At Legal Aid NSW, fairness isn’t just a legal principle, it shapes everything we do – our culture, our services, our workplace and our decisions.

Since 1979, Legal Aid NSW has provided legal advice, support and representation in criminal, family and civil law, helping people across NSW navigate hardship and complex legal issues. Our work is challenging, but deeply meaningful.

In partnerships with LawAccess NSW, Community Legal Centres and the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT, we are located throughout the state including our Central Sydney office, 25 regional offices, and satellite and outreach offices.

Benefits Of Working With Legal Aid NSW

You will have access to and enjoy a variety of support and benefits so you can thrive personally and professionally. You’ll love our:

• Flexible Working - we are a Flex Ready certified and Carers and Employers accredited organisation. We are leading the way in offering a variety of flexible working options to uniquely support your unique work life balance.
• Professional Growth - as the largest law firm in NSW we offer a variety of opportunities to enhance your career at every stage, through our Judge Bob Bellear Legal Career Pathways Program, Aboriginal Legal Career Pathways and Regional Graduate Program, ongoing learning, shadowing and mentoring, development opportunities, and secondments.
• Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing - with dedicated programs, training, resources, and respectful work practices, our Wellbeing Framework ensures your physical, mental and psychosocial wellbeing matters so you feel supported, safe and holistically well.

You Must

Essential requirements of the role

• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. You must be able to demonstrate your Aboriginality in your application.
• Be willing to do a Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check
• Have legal qualifications
• Be admitted or eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW
• Provide a current NSW Practising Certificate before you start work with us

Download the Role Description to explore the role in-depth.

We may use this recruitment to create a talent pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.

Please Note

Applicants for this position must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, identify as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and be accepted in the community as such. An applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under Section 14(d) of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. 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. Your responses will be treated with confidence.

We're here to help

Legal Aid NSW is committed to a recruitment process that is inclusive and barrier free.

Connect with the Legal Aid NSW Aboriginal Services Branch for a yarn about the support available for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

For accessibility support or recruitment adjustments, please contact Recruitment Officer Paige Gill at [e-mail] or [phone].

For information on Recruitment and Workplace Adjustments, visit Adjustments for individual needs | I Work for NSW.

For more information about the recruitment process and working at Legal Aid NSW view our Candidate Information Pack.

For role specific enquiries, contact the Hiring Manager - Lucinda Walder, Senior Solicitor on [phone] or email: [e-mail] (Lucinda Walder is a proud Wodi Wodi, Wandi Wandian and Jerrinja woman from the South Coast of NSW.)

For general recruitment enquiries, contact the Talent Acquisition Team on 02 9134 9347 or via [e-mail].

For guidance on preparing for interview readiness, explore the NSW Public Sector’s interactive Capability Application Tool.

Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

We look forward to receiving your application!

“Step forward with courage, the path you take now will echo through generations.”