Legal Graduates

Our legal graduates will:

• have the opportunity to work on a broad range of legal work in an Australian Government department and gain exposure to Australian Government policies and programs;
• have access to a specific legal blended learning program offering a combination of structured training and on the job experience.

The department supports its legal graduates, who are not already admitted, to complete a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and gain admission as a Legal Practitioner. This may also include financial assistance.

What our legal graduates do

The department’s in-house legal practice offers a wide range of services. Our lawyers provide legal advice across the range of the department’s responsibilities (including in relation to the development of legislation and the conduct of litigation). For more information about the department’s responsibilities, see the About us page.

Legal graduates would have the opportunity to rotate through various legal teams in the Legal and Assurance Division and the Workplace Relations Legal Division. Legal graduates are involved in the full range of work undertaken by our legal teams. Areas include government and administrative law, corporate and commercial law, intellectual property, litigation (including some advocacy work), social security, information law, workplace relations law, workers’ compensation and work health and safety law, and legislation development (including drafting of legislative instruments).

The department dedicates a huge number of resources to helping its graduate lawyers develop their expertise and craft, which is what attracted me to this role. Staff at all levels are encouraged to take up all sorts of opportunities and to constantly keep learning, which is a fantastic environment for a new lawyer. – Kate, Legal Graduate (2021)

For me, the breadth of opportunity, the engagement and support from those around me and the culture of the Legal Division set this legal graduate program apart. The program provides legal graduates with a springboard to become competent and capable government lawyers’. – Matthew, Legal Graduate (2021)

The Legal Division values mentorship and has a very supportive workplace culture. This was one of the reasons why I was attracted to this role. Rotating through different teams is a great opportunity for a young lawyer to be exposed to varied work and discover the type of legal work that interests them. Additionally, the Division also encourages young lawyers to take on various learning and development opportunities, externally and within the department. This positive environment cultivates skilled and forward-thinking young government lawyers. – Shira, Legal Graduate, Legal and Assurance Division (2022).

I was drawn to the DEWR Legal Graduate Program due to the fantastic culture of the department’s Legal Division. The Division strongly supports the learning and development of staff which results in a very supportive and open-minded working environment. During my time in the program, I have been exposed to a diverse range of legal work which has allowed me to develop great skills as a young lawyer. – Clare, Legal Graduate, Legal and Assurance Division (2022)

Being a graduate in the Workplace Relations Legal Division presented opportunities to work on several interesting, important, and diverse projects. The division is stacked with excellent lawyers and mentors who advanced my development as a young lawyer while supporting me to maintain a healthy work-life balance. I highly recommend applying for this role! – Tom, Workplace Relations Legal Graduate (2022)

Joining the Workplace Relations Legal Division as a graduate provided me with a great start to my legal career. The rotations focussed on exposing me to all aspects of the team’s work, ensuring I had a diverse and well-rounded experience. The Division really encouraged my learning and development as a lawyer and allowed us to attend events such as industry conferences, legal drafting workshops and Senate estimates hearings – all while supporting me to undertake my GDLP. – Sophie, Workplace Relations Legal Graduate (2022)

Who are we looking for?

We offer career opportunities for highly talented and motivated law graduates. We are looking for graduates who have:

• completed a Bachelor of Laws from an Australian university or will have completed a Bachelor of Laws from an Australian university by the commencement of the graduate program.
• a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) or who are eligible and committed to completing the qualification and gaining admission as a Legal Practitioner. The department supports its legal graduates to complete their GDLP and gain admission if they have not already done so.
• a strong academic record.

Additionally, graduates should:

• have excellent legal and analytical capabilities
• have outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
• have personal drive and enthusiasm
• show initiative and flexibility
• possess leadership qualities.

Additionally, all graduates in the graduate program will undertake a formal learning and development program.

2024 Legal Graduate Stream FAQ

For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Graduate Program, you will be required to:

• be an Australian Citizen or going to be granted Australian citizenship before you commence and be able to provide evidence of this
• have successfully completed a Bachelor degree or higher within the five years prior to the start date of the Graduate Program. You will be required to provide evidence of completion before the start of the program
• obtain and maintain a valid Australian Government Baseline security clearance
• relocate to Canberra for the commencement of the program if the position requires you to.
• satisfy the relevant medical check (if required for the position).

Applying for the Graduate Program as a Legal Graduate

We are a participating agency in the Australian Government Graduate Program Legal Stream which is part of the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP). Applications for the AGGP streams have now closed.

If you have any questions, please email entrylevel@dewr.gov.au.

The department has consistently featured in the Top 100 Graduate Employer rankings over the past few years. This achievement highlights our active commitment to supporting talented graduates, helping them to expand their skills and experience, and reach their full potential.