Clerkships
Find clerkships, internships and earlier pathways into the Australian legal profession.
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3 open now · 1 closing within 14 days
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55 programs · Page 2
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW)
NSW ODPP Paralegal Program
Paralegal pathway · NSW
- Applications open:
- June–July 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- July–August 2027 (estimated)
The NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions employs law students as paralegals before admission. Applicants must be studying…
More about this program
The NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions employs law students as paralegals before admission. Applicants must be studying law with Foundations and Criminal Law completed, have equivalent paralegal experience, or be doing College of Law training. Paralegals work full time or at least three days a week in one of 10 offices. Applicants should be prepared to work regionally. The next intake is expected to open in mid 2027, with positions advertised on the office's recruitment site.
- Eligibility
- Pre-admission. Enrolled in a law degree or diploma with Foundations and Criminal Law completed (or 12 months equivalent paralegal experience), or undertaking the College of Law PLT program.
- Runs
- Expected next NSW ODPP paralegal intake in mid-2027
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- July 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
Russell Kennedy Lawyers runs alternative clerkship pathways in Victoria alongside its mainstream seasonal clerkship. The pathways are for students with…
More about this program
Russell Kennedy Lawyers runs alternative clerkship pathways in Victoria alongside its mainstream seasonal clerkship. The pathways are for students with disability through Access RK, and for students with a refugee background. They are also for students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Each intake runs for four weeks. The firm has not published dates for the current cycle. It has not published the year of study required or the number of places.
- Eligibility
- Students with disability (Access RK), students with a refugee background, or students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- Runs
- Possible 2027/28 alternative pathway clerkships; separate arrangements may apply
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
Squire Patton Boggs Australia Vacation Clerkship Program · Winter
Winter clerkship · WA, NSW
- Applications open:
- June 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- July 2027 (estimated)
Squire Patton Boggs runs a winter vacation clerkship program in Australia for penultimate year law students. The program runs for…
More about this program
Squire Patton Boggs runs a winter vacation clerkship program in Australia for penultimate year law students. The program runs for three weeks over the winter break in June and July. The program is listed for the firm's Perth and Sydney offices. Application dates have not been published. Students interested in the winter program should check the firm's careers material for the timing of the next round.
- Eligibility
- Penultimate-year law students
- Runs
- Potential 2027/28 clerkship recruitment; winter 2027 placement round may already have occurred
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- July–August 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
The State Solicitor's Office in Western Australia runs a Professional Assistant Program. It combines study and work for high achieving…
More about this program
The State Solicitor's Office in Western Australia runs a Professional Assistant Program. It combines study and work for high achieving law students entering their final year. Participants hold fixed term, full time Level 3 roles over two years. Recruitment usually takes place in July or August, with starts in late January or early February. The office has not published exact dates. The office also runs vacation clerkships and a law graduate program.
- Eligibility
- High-achieving law students entering their final year of study.
- Runs
- Only if 2027 is a recruiting year; possible January/February 2028 start
- Pay
- Paid. Level 3 (figure not published)
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- July 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
Victoria Legal Aid runs a First Nations Clerkship Program for First Nations law students at any stage of their degree.…
More about this program
Victoria Legal Aid runs a First Nations Clerkship Program for First Nations law students at any stage of their degree. Clerkships run for four to 12 weeks, part time or full time, and fit around study. They are based in Melbourne CBD, suburban and regional offices. Applications are currently closed, and dates for the next intake have not been published. No application process is described. Enquiries go to the First Nations Employment Consultant.
- Eligibility
- First Nations law students at any stage of their degree.
- Runs
- Possible 2027 First Nations clerkship recruitment; placement dates flexible
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
Wotton + Kearney Pathways Program
Paralegal pathway · SA, QLD, ACT, TAS, VIC, WA, NSW
- Applications open:
- September 2026 (published)
- Applications close:
- Application dates not yet announced
Wotton + Kearney runs a Pathways Program in place of a clerkship program. Participants start on 8 February 2027 as…
More about this program
Wotton + Kearney runs a Pathways Program in place of a clerkship program. Participants start on 8 February 2027 as part time paralegals while finishing their law degree. They move into the graduate program, with practical legal training, from 8 February 2028. Applicants must be in their final year of law in 2027 and available two to three full days a week. They must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. Applications opened in September, and the firm says it accepts applications at any time.
- Eligibility
- Australian citizen or permanent resident. Final year of law in 2027 and on track to graduate that year. Priestley 11 complete by early 2028. Available two to three full days a week. Not in another paralegal, clerkship or vacation program.
- Runs
- 2027 Pathways paralegal start 8 February 2027; graduate transition 8 February 2028
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- July 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
Allens runs a summer clerkship in its Brisbane office for penultimate year law students. The program runs for four weeks…
More about this program
Allens runs a summer clerkship in its Brisbane office for penultimate year law students. The program runs for four weeks in one practice group. Applications open in mid July and close in early August under the Queensland guidelines. Offers are made in early October. Allens says application dates follow law society guidelines but does not publish exact dates. Applications for the 2026/27 program have closed in all offices.
- Eligibility
- Penultimate year law students.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for the 2027/28 clerkship cycle; individual placements may run in 2028
- Recruitment round
- 2026/2027 clerkship recruitment
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- July 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
Allens runs a winter clerkship in its Brisbane office for penultimate year law students. The program runs for four weeks…
More about this program
Allens runs a winter clerkship in its Brisbane office for penultimate year law students. The program runs for four weeks in one practice group. Applications open in mid July and close in early August under the Queensland guidelines. Offers are made in early October. Allens says application dates follow law society guidelines but does not publish exact dates. Applications for the 2026/27 program have closed in all offices.
- Eligibility
- Penultimate year law students.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for winter 2028
- Recruitment round
- 2026/2027 clerkship recruitment
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- July 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
Allens runs summer clerkships in its Melbourne office for penultimate year law students. The office holds two summer clerkships each…
More about this program
Allens runs summer clerkships in its Melbourne office for penultimate year law students. The office holds two summer clerkships each year. Each runs for three weeks in one practice group. Applications open in early July and close in August under the LIV guidelines. Offers are made in mid October. Allens says application dates follow law society guidelines but does not publish exact dates. Applications for the 2026/27 program have closed in all offices.
- Eligibility
- Penultimate year law students.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for the 2027/28 clerkship cycle; individual placements may run in 2028
- Recruitment round
- 2026/2027 clerkship recruitment
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- July 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
Allens runs one winter clerkship each year in its Melbourne office for penultimate year law students. It takes place during…
More about this program
Allens runs one winter clerkship each year in its Melbourne office for penultimate year law students. It takes place during the university winter break and runs for three weeks in one practice group. Applications open in early July and close in August under the LIV guidelines. Offers are made in mid October. Allens says application dates follow law society guidelines but does not publish exact dates. Applications for the 2026/27 program have closed in all offices.
- Eligibility
- Penultimate year law students.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for winter 2028
- Recruitment round
- 2026/2027 clerkship recruitment
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- June 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- July 2027 (estimated)
Allens runs summer clerkships in its Perth office for penultimate year law students. The office holds two summer clerkships each…
More about this program
Allens runs summer clerkships in its Perth office for penultimate year law students. The office holds two summer clerkships each year. Each runs for three weeks in one practice group. Applications open in late June and close in late July. Offers are made in mid September. Allens says application dates follow law society guidelines but does not publish exact dates. Applications for the 2026/27 program have closed in all offices.
- Eligibility
- Penultimate year law students.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for the 2027/28 clerkship cycle; individual placements may run in 2028
- Recruitment round
- 2026/2027 clerkship recruitment
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- June 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- July 2027 (estimated)
Allens runs one winter clerkship each year in its Perth office for penultimate year law students. The clerkship runs for…
More about this program
Allens runs one winter clerkship each year in its Perth office for penultimate year law students. The clerkship runs for three weeks in one practice group. Applications open in late June and close in late July. Offers are made in mid September. Allens says application dates follow law society guidelines but does not publish exact dates. Applications for the 2026/27 program have closed in all offices.
- Eligibility
- Penultimate year law students.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for winter 2028
- Recruitment round
- 2026/2027 clerkship recruitment
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- 9 June 2027 (NSW scheme; employer round unconfirmed)
- Applications close:
- 4 or 11 July 2027 (scheme alternatives; employer must choose)
Allens runs a summer clerkship in its Sydney office for penultimate year law students. The program runs for 10 weeks…
More about this program
Allens runs a summer clerkship in its Sydney office for penultimate year law students. The program runs for 10 weeks and includes two practice group rotations. Applications open in June and close in July under the NSW clerkship guidelines. Offers are made in early September. Allens says application dates follow law society guidelines but does not publish exact dates. Applications for the 2026/27 program have closed in all offices.
- Eligibility
- Penultimate year law students.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for the 2027/28 clerkship cycle; individual placements may run in 2028
- Recruitment round
- 2026/2027 clerkship recruitment
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
Arnold Bloch Leibler Seasonal Clerk Program (Melbourne) · Summer
Summer clerkship · VIC
- Applications open:
- July 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
Arnold Bloch Leibler runs a summer seasonal clerk program in Melbourne. It is open to penultimate year students only, under…
More about this program
Arnold Bloch Leibler runs a summer seasonal clerk program in Melbourne. It is open to penultimate year students only, under the LIV guidelines. There are two summer intakes. Summer One runs from November to December and Summer Two runs from January to February. The firm has not published exact dates. Each intake takes about 15 clerks. Applications open in early July and close in August, with offers made in mid October.
- Eligibility
- Penultimate year students only, under LIV guidelines.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for the 2027/28 clerkship cycle; individual placements may run in 2028
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
Arnold Bloch Leibler Seasonal Clerk Program (Melbourne) · Winter
Winter clerkship · VIC
- Applications open:
- July 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
Arnold Bloch Leibler runs a winter seasonal clerk program in Melbourne. It is open to penultimate year students only, under…
More about this program
Arnold Bloch Leibler runs a winter seasonal clerk program in Melbourne. It is open to penultimate year students only, under the LIV guidelines. The program runs from June to July. The firm has not published exact dates. Recruitment follows the LIV timetable. Applications open in early July and close in August. Offers are made in mid October, for a program that runs the following winter.
- Eligibility
- Penultimate year students only, under LIV guidelines.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for winter 2028
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- 9 June 2027 (NSW scheme; employer round unconfirmed)
- Applications close:
- 4 or 11 July 2027 (scheme alternatives; employer must choose)
Bird & Bird runs a summer clerkship programme in its Sydney office for law students in the penultimate year of…
More about this program
Bird & Bird runs a summer clerkship programme in its Sydney office for law students in the penultimate year of their studies. The firm takes part in the Law Society of NSW coordinated clerkship program. It has not published its own application dates or the length of the clerkship. The firm describes its clerkships as the main pathway into its graduate and associate programme. Applicants should follow the Law Society of NSW timetable and the firm's careers page.
- Eligibility
- Law students in the penultimate year of their legal studies
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for the 2027/28 clerkship cycle; individual placements may run in 2028
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- June 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
The Crown Solicitor's Office in South Australia runs a paid summer clerkship for up to four law students each year.…
More about this program
The Crown Solicitor's Office in South Australia runs a paid summer clerkship for up to four law students each year. It is for students in their final years with high academic results, relevant legal work experience and references. The clerkship runs for eight weeks from late November to mid January, with unpaid leave over Christmas. It finishes before the Law Society's first practical legal training program. Application dates have not been published, and applications were closed as at 15 October 2026.
- Eligibility
- Law students in their final years. High academic achievement, interpersonal skills, relevant legal work experience and references.
- Runs
- Projected summer 2027/28 clerkship
- Pay
- Paid. Paid for the full eight weeks (rate not published)
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- July 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
Gilbert + Tobin runs a seasonal clerkship in its Melbourne office. The firm does not state whether it runs in…
More about this program
Gilbert + Tobin runs a seasonal clerkship in its Melbourne office. The firm does not state whether it runs in summer or winter, and timing is not published. Eligibility is not published on the early careers page. Recruitment follows the LIV guidelines. Applications usually open in early July and close in August, with offers in mid October. Applications for the 2026/27 round have closed.
- Eligibility
- Not published on the early careers page.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for the 2027/28 clerkship cycle; individual placements may run in 2028
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- June 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- July 2027 (estimated)
Gilbert + Tobin runs a seasonal clerkship in its Perth office. The firm does not state whether it runs in…
More about this program
Gilbert + Tobin runs a seasonal clerkship in its Perth office. The firm does not state whether it runs in summer or winter, and timing is not published. Eligibility is not published on the early careers page. Applications usually open in late June and close in late July, with offers in mid September. Applications for the 2026/27 round have closed.
- Eligibility
- Not published on the early careers page.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for the 2027/28 clerkship cycle; individual placements may run in 2028
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- 9 June 2027 (NSW scheme; employer round unconfirmed)
- Applications close:
- 4 or 11 July 2027 (scheme alternatives; employer must choose)
Gilbert + Tobin runs a summer clerkship in its Sydney office. It is open to penultimate or final year students…
More about this program
Gilbert + Tobin runs a summer clerkship in its Sydney office. It is open to penultimate or final year students in an Australian law degree. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. Recruitment follows the NSW clerkship guidelines, with applications usually open in June and closing in July. Applications for the 2026/27 summer have closed. Offers were made on 9 September 2026. Program dates are not published.
- Eligibility
- Penultimate or final year students in an Australian law degree. Australian citizens and permanent residents only.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for the 2027/28 clerkship cycle; individual placements may run in 2028
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- July 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
Hall & Wilcox runs a seasonal clerkship program in its Melbourne office. The firm has not published eligibility criteria, program…
More about this program
Hall & Wilcox runs a seasonal clerkship program in its Melbourne office. The firm has not published eligibility criteria, program dates or the length of the clerkship. Recruitment follows the LIV guidelines. Under those guidelines, applications open in early July and close in August, with offers in mid October. Applications for the 2026 and 2027 program have closed. The firm did not publish its own opening and closing dates.
- Eligibility
- Not published.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for the 2027/28 clerkship cycle; individual placements may run in 2028
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- June 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- July 2027 (estimated)
Hall & Wilcox runs a seasonal clerkship program in its Perth office. The firm has not published eligibility criteria, program…
More about this program
Hall & Wilcox runs a seasonal clerkship program in its Perth office. The firm has not published eligibility criteria, program dates or the length of the clerkship. Recruitment follows the Perth timetable. Under that timetable, applications open in late June and close in late July, with offers in mid September. Applications for the 2026 and 2027 program have closed. The firm did not publish its own opening and closing dates.
- Eligibility
- Not published.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for the 2027/28 clerkship cycle; individual placements may run in 2028
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- 9 June 2027 (NSW scheme; employer round unconfirmed)
- Applications close:
- 4 or 11 July 2027 (scheme alternatives; employer must choose)
Hall & Wilcox runs a seasonal clerkship program in its Sydney office. The firm has not published eligibility criteria, program…
More about this program
Hall & Wilcox runs a seasonal clerkship program in its Sydney office. The firm has not published eligibility criteria, program dates or the length of the clerkship. Recruitment follows the NSW clerkship guidelines. Under those guidelines, applications open in June and close in July, with offers in early September. Applications for the 2026 and 2027 program have closed. The firm did not publish its own opening and closing dates.
- Eligibility
- Not published.
- Runs
- Applications during 2027 for the 2027/28 clerkship cycle; individual placements may run in 2028
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- July 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
The Legal Services Commission of South Australia runs a paid three week summer clerkship. The 2027 clerkship runs from 1…
More about this program
The Legal Services Commission of South Australia runs a paid three week summer clerkship. The 2027 clerkship runs from 1 February to 19 February 2027. Eligibility is not formally stated. Clerks need a criminal history check and a Working with Children Check. Applications for the 2027 clerkship have closed. The commission has not published the closing date. Earlier rounds included a separate Indigenous summer clerkship, but the current page lists none.
- Eligibility
- Not formally stated. Criminal History Check and DHS Working with Children Check required.
- Runs
- Projected February 2028 summer clerkship; February 2027 clerkship already closed
- Pay
- Paid. Paid (rate not published)
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
Clerkship recruitment guide
A clerkship is a few paid weeks inside a firm or government legal office, usually in your penultimate year. Each state runs to its own timetable. Here are the rules, the dates and the employers, state by state.
Dates shown are for the 2026 round (clerkships run November 2026 to July 2027). Last checked 29 October 2026. Employers change dates, so confirm on their page before you apply.
The guide describes its labelled recruitment round. Use each program’s application dates and separately recorded commencement information for its current cycle.
How clerkships work
Most clerkships go to penultimate-year students. You apply mid-year, interview over the following weeks, and hear on a single offer day set for your state. The clerkship itself runs in the summer or winter break. For many firms it is the main route into their graduate intake.
Every state scheme is voluntary. Firms sign up and agree to the dates, and none of the schemes can be enforced against a firm. What they do give you is a fixed offer day and time to decide. No firm in a scheme can make you accept, decline or signal your choice before the deadline.
ACT, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have no scheme. Firms there set their own dates.
Every state at a glance (2026 round)
| State | Scheme and who runs it | Applications | Offers | Time to decide | Year of study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Clerkship Recruitment Program, Law Society of NSW | 10 June to 5 or 12 July 2026 (each firm picks one) | 9am, 9 September 2026 | 1pm the next day. Hold no more than two offers at once. | Penultimate (final at each firm's discretion) |
| VIC | Clerkship and Graduate Recruitment Guidelines, Law Institute of Victoria | 6 July to 9 August 2026 | 10am, 15 October 2026 | At least four business hours. Hold no more than four offers for over two business hours. | Penultimate or final |
| QLD | Seasonal Clerkship and Graduate Recruitment Guidelines, Queensland Law Society | 13 July to 5pm, 7 August 2026 | 9am, 7 October 2026 | 1pm the next day | Penultimate (recommended) |
| WA | Vacation clerk recruitment dates, Law Society of WA with the five WA law schools | 22 June to 26 July 2026. Interviews 27 July to 4 September. | 9am, 11 September 2026 | 1pm the same day | Not published |
| SA | Uniform Clerkship Scheme, Adelaide, UniSA and Flinders law student societies | Most firms: about 22 June to 17 July 2026 | Most firms: end of August 2026 | Set by the scheme each year (three days in 2025) | Penultimate or final |
| ACT | No scheme, Not applicable | National firms follow the NSW dates, 10 June to 12 July 2026 | Set by each firm | Set by each firm | Set by each firm |
| TAS | No scheme, Not applicable | Set by each firm. Hobart windows ran from June to September in 2026. | Set by each firm | Set by each firm | Set by each firm |
| NT | No scheme, Not applicable | Set by each firm | Set by each firm | Set by each firm | Set by each firm |
State sections
New South Wales
NSW runs its graduate round first, from February to June, and its clerkship round second, from June to September. The Law Society's page says clerkships are for penultimate-year students, with exceptions at each firm's discretion. Applications open at 9am on one day for every firm. Each firm closes on one of two set dates a week apart, so check the closing date on the firm's own page.
On offer day, from noon until the 1pm deadline the next day, you can hold no more than two open offers. Decline the extras as they arrive. The 2027 dates are already published: applications 9 June to 4 or 11 July 2027, offers 8 September 2027.
Government and public The Crown Solicitor's Office and the ODPP take law students as paralegals rather than clerks, and both feed their graduate intakes. Legal Aid NSW runs the Judge Bob Bellear Legal Career Pathways Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Victoria
Victoria is the last state to make offers. The LIV guidelines cover final and penultimate-year students. Most firms take summer and winter clerks from the same application round.
Offers must come by email and stay open for at least four business hours. An offer made after 1pm stays open until 10am the next business day. You should not hold more than four offers for longer than two business hours. There are no set interview dates, and interviews can be online.
Jones Day's Melbourne office takes students as paralegals instead.
Government and public The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office runs a three-week clerkship in summer and winter on the LIV dates. Victoria Legal Aid runs a First Nations Clerkship Program.
Queensland
QLS calls this the 2027 Program Cycle, although recruitment runs in 2026. It recommends clerkships for penultimate-year students. Clerkships run in up to four periods: November to December 2026, January to February, April to May and June to July 2027. Not every firm offers every period.
A firm cannot make a clerkship offer conditional on you accepting a graduate role. Firms must tell you about the guidelines and the acceptance deadline when they make an offer.
Baker McKenzie Brisbane recruits through a paralegal pathway. Cooper Grace Ward recruits law clerks into its graduate development program.
Government and public The ODPP runs a Work Experience Placement Program (the 2026 round closed 25 September).
Western Australia
WA calls them vacation clerkships. The dates are recommended by the law schools at Curtin, ECU, Murdoch, Notre Dame and UWA, and firms that sign the WA Recruitment Guidelines agree to follow them. Graduate offers come first, on 17 July, before clerkship applications have even closed.
WA has the shortest decision window in the country. Offers go out at 9am and are held open only until 1pm the same day. Have your preferences ranked before offer day. Each firm sets its own placement dates, so check firm pages for when the clerkship runs.
Lavan runs its own semester clerkship, with applications for the early-year intake from mid November to mid December.
Government and public The State Solicitor's Office runs paid two-week vacation clerkships and selects clerks on results, without interviews. The ODPP runs summer and winter vacation clerkships. Both closed in early August 2026.
South Australia
The Uniform Clerkship Scheme is run by the three Adelaide law student societies, not the Law Society of SA. Firms choose to join and align their dates. You apply to each firm separately, through its own site. The scheme is open to penultimate and final-year students.
In 2026 most firms took applications from about 22 June to 17 July and made offers at the end of August.
Piper Alderman runs a six-month rotational clerk program from February instead. DMAW ran later than the scheme in 2026, from 13 August to 9 September.
Government and public The Crown Solicitor's Office offers up to four paid eight-week summer clerkships, from late November to mid January, plus 12-month clerkships. The ODPP and the Legal Services Commission each run a summer clerkship.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT has no clerkship scheme. The national firms with Canberra offices run their Canberra clerkships on the NSW dates, opening in June and closing in July. The ANU Law Students' Society publishes a clerkship guide each year, which lists the Canberra firms and their dates.
Government and public Canberra's public employers recruit through graduate programs rather than clerkships. See the Graduate programs hub for the Commonwealth programs, the ACT Public Service program and the ACT Government Solicitor.
Tasmania
Tasmania has no clerkship scheme, and each firm sets its own dates. In 2026 Barry Nilsson's Hobart window ran from 3 June to 5 July and Page Seager's from 27 August to 13 September. Page Seager's winter clerkship for June and July 2027 is open now and closes 27 November 2026.
Dobson Mitchell Allport took applications through July 2026 for paid two-week placements in December and January.
Northern Territory
The NT has no clerkship scheme. HWL Ebsworth's Darwin office ran its window from 6 July to 20 August in 2026. Most NT students come in through placements and the graduate program instead.
Government and public NT Legal Aid runs a law student program of placements and internships. NAAJA takes law student interns throughout the year, including on bush court circuits.
Beyond the clerkship round
Missing out on a clerkship does not close the door. Plenty of employers recruit graduates without one, and some firms do not run clerkships at all.
First Nations programs
Several employers run programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students alongside or instead of the general round. They include the Allens First Nations Legal Internship, the Clayton Utz First Nations Traineeship, the Gilbert + Tobin First Nations Legal Cadetship Program, the Hall & Wilcox First Nations Pathway Program, the Mills Oakley First Nations Internship Program and the Victoria Legal Aid First Nations Clerkship Program. In government, there are Crown Law Queensland's First Nations Legal Clerkships, the Crown Solicitor's Office SA cadetship through AFL SportsReady, and Legal Aid NSW's Judge Bob Bellear program.
Before your penultimate year
Some firms run short programs for earlier-year students. These are not clerkships, but they put you in front of the recruiters a year early. They include Allens Dive In, Clayton Utz Career Launch, Mallesons Insight, MinterEllison Discover ME and White & Case Discover. Most open in autumn. Mallesons Insight is the exception and is open now.
Other ways in
Wotton + Kearney does not run clerkships. Final-year students work part time as paralegals in its Pathways Program and move into the graduate intake. Jones Day in Melbourne and Baker McKenzie in Brisbane also recruit through paralegal pathways, and Holding Redlich runs an undergraduate program. Student paralegal roles at the NSW Crown Solicitor's Office and ODPP feed their graduate programs too.
FAQ
Do I have to accept on the spot?
No. In every state with a scheme, firms must give you until the published deadline. In WA that deadline is 1pm the same day, so decide your order before offer day.
Can I apply in more than one state?
Yes. The rounds run at different times, from June in NSW to October offers in Victoria. Track each state's offer day, because some overlap with interviews elsewhere.
I am in my final year. Is it too late?
Not always. The Victorian and SA rules cover final-year students, and NSW firms can take them at their discretion. Elsewhere, look at the Graduate programs hub, which covers firms and public employers that recruit graduates directly.
Are the dates on this page binding?
No. Every scheme is voluntary, and firms move their dates. Check the firm's own page before you apply.