Other pathways
Explore internships, paralegal pathways, placements and other ways into legal practice.
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16 programs
- Applications open:
- 12 October 2026
- Applications close:
- 8 November 2026
The Mallesons Insight Program is for pre-penultimate year law students. Students graduating in 2028 apply for the 2027 program. It…
More about this program
The Mallesons Insight Program is for pre-penultimate year law students. Students graduating in 2028 apply for the 2027 program. It begins with a virtual panel in March 2027, followed by in-person sessions in each location. It runs in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Applications opened on 12 October 2026 and close on 8 November 2026. Each office has a separate application link.
- Eligibility
- Pre-penultimate year students. Students graduating in 2028 apply for the 2027 program.
- Runs
- 2027 Insight Program; virtual panel in March 2027
- Recorded cycle
- 2026/27
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- 16 October 2026
- Applications close:
- 30 April 2027
The Hall & Wilcox First Nations Pathway Program is for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander law students who are Australian…
More about this program
The Hall & Wilcox First Nations Pathway Program is for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander law students who are Australian permanent residents. No prior experience is needed. The program offers two paid internships each year. Each internship runs for four weeks, starting in November or June. The firm has not published the rate of pay. Places are offered nationally. Applications opened on 16 October 2026 and close on 30 April 2027 for four-week internships in November 2026 or June 2027.
- Eligibility
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander law students who are Australian permanent residents. No prior experience needed.
- Runs
- Four-week internships November 2026 or June 2027
- Pay
- Paid. Amount not published
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- March 2027 (published)
- Applications close:
- April 2027 (estimated)
Allens Dive In is an introductory program for pre-penultimate law students. It is open to students in the second or…
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Allens Dive In is an introductory program for pre-penultimate law students. It is open to students in the second or third year of an undergraduate law degree, or the first year of a JD. It runs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Applications open in March for a program held in May. The next program is in May 2027. Allens has not published exact dates for 2027.
- Eligibility
- Pre-penultimate law students: second or third year undergraduate law, or first year JD.
- Runs
- Dive In held May 2027
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- April 2027 (published)
- Applications close:
- April–May 2027 (estimated)
The Clayton Utz Career Launch Program is an unpaid learning and networking program. It is for pre-penultimate LLB or JD…
More about this program
The Clayton Utz Career Launch Program is an unpaid learning and networking program. It is for pre-penultimate LLB or JD students at an Australian university. It runs in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. The program starts with kick-off events around May and ends with a wrap-up around October or November. The 2026 round took applications from 16 March to 10 April 2026. Applications for 2027 are expected to open in April 2027.
- Eligibility
- Pre-penultimate LLB or JD students at an Australian university.
- Runs
- 2027 Career Launch program
- Pay
- Unpaid
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- October 2026 (published)
- Applications close:
- November 2026 (estimated)
The Clayton Utz First Nations Traineeship is a six-month paid traineeship. It is for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students…
More about this program
The Clayton Utz First Nations Traineeship is a six-month paid traineeship. It is for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students who are accepted by their community. Applicants must be in the pre-penultimate year of a relevant degree at an Australian university. Trainees must be available one to three days a week. It runs in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Applications for 2027 open in October 2026. Exact dates and pay are not published.
- Eligibility
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students accepted by their community, in the pre-penultimate year of a relevant degree at an Australian university, available one to three days a week.
- Runs
- 2027 First Nations traineeship
- Pay
- Paid. Amount not published
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
Crown Solicitor's Office (NSW)
Crown Solicitor's Office (NSW) student paralegal pathway
Paralegal pathway · NSW
- Applications open:
- Application dates not yet announced
- Applications close:
- Application dates not yet announced
The NSW Crown Solicitor's Office employs law students as paralegals while they complete their degree. It is not a formal…
More about this program
The NSW Crown Solicitor's Office employs law students as paralegals while they complete their degree. It is not a formal structured program. Roles are advertised as they become available, so there is no fixed application window. The office says many of its paralegals go on to apply for its Graduate Development Program. That program is open to lawyers once they are admitted. Students should watch the office's careers page for advertised paralegal roles.
- Eligibility
- Law students completing their degree.
- Runs
- Available during 2027, subject to vacancies or placement capacity
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- February 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- March 2027 (estimated)
Gilbert + Tobin runs a First Nations Legal Cadetship Program for First Nations law students. Cadets receive employment and mentoring…
More about this program
Gilbert + Tobin runs a First Nations Legal Cadetship Program for First Nations law students. Cadets receive employment and mentoring alongside their studies. The firm says the program has supported more than 64 students since 2011. The length of the cadetship has not been published. Application dates are not published on the firm's website, and no cadetship is currently listed on its job portal. The program is listed for Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, though the firm has not confirmed the offices.
- Eligibility
- First Nations law students.
- Runs
- Potential 2027 cadetship vacancy; recurring annual intake not established
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- May–June 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
The Holding Redlich Undergraduate Program is a part time route for law students that the firm runs in place of…
More about this program
The Holding Redlich Undergraduate Program is a part time route for law students that the firm runs in place of a short clerkship. It is open to students starting their penultimate year, and later year students are also considered. Participants work two days a week for up to two years. They rotate through the Knowledge Centre and paralegal roles. Priority graduate offers are made in April of the second year. Applications open in May or June, and positions are advertised in July and August. Participants start in February. The program is listed for Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT.
- Eligibility
- Law students starting in the penultimate year. Later-year students also considered.
- Runs
- Expected February 2028 undergraduate start
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- March 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- April 2027 (estimated)
Legal Aid NSW runs the Judge Bob Bellear Legal Career Pathways Program for Aboriginal law students and graduates. It has…
More about this program
Legal Aid NSW runs the Judge Bob Bellear Legal Career Pathways Program for Aboriginal law students and graduates. It has three streams. The cadetship supports full time undergraduate law students with financial assistance and a paid 12 week placement each year. Professional Legal Placements are for Aboriginal law graduates completing practical legal training. Graduate Career Development runs for two years across two practice areas for graduates eligible for admission. Dates have not been published.
- Eligibility
- Cadetship: Aboriginal full-time undergraduate law students. Professional Legal Placements: Aboriginal law graduates completing PLT. Graduate Career Development: Aboriginal law graduates who have completed PLT and are eligible for admission.
- Runs
- Possible 2027 recruitment for later graduate/cadet starts; PLT placements remain a separate pathway
- Pay
- Paid. Paid placement and financial assistance for the cadetship (amounts not published)
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- Application dates not yet announced
- Applications close:
- Application dates not yet announced
Legal Aid NSW offers practical legal training and work placements for law students meeting their practical legal training obligations. Placements…
More about this program
Legal Aid NSW offers practical legal training and work placements for law students meeting their practical legal training obligations. Placements are arranged through universities that have agreements with local Legal Aid NSW offices. Students can also arrange placements directly with Legal Aid NSW. The length and timing of placements have not been published. Enquiries go to the Legal Aid NSW early careers team by email.
- Eligibility
- Law students meeting PLT obligations.
- Runs
- Available during 2027, subject to vacancies or placement capacity
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- September 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- October 2027 (estimated)
The Mills Oakley First Nations Internship Program is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law students. The internship runs for…
More about this program
The Mills Oakley First Nations Internship Program is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law students. The internship runs for three weeks. The firm has not published program dates or a recruitment timetable. It has not stated which offices host interns, so the program is listed nationally. Participants can join the firm's Graduate Program after completing their degree. The firm has not published whether the internship is paid.
- Eligibility
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law students
- Runs
- Potential summer 2027/28 First Nations internship; intake not announced
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- May 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- June 2027 (estimated)
The Maliyan Program is run by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. It is an identified graduate solicitor role…
More about this program
The Maliyan Program is run by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. It is an identified graduate solicitor role for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law graduates. The role is based in Parramatta. Positions are advertised on the department's jobs site. The most recent listing is marked as filled. No dates, salary, program length or detailed criteria could be read from that listing. Applicants should watch the department's jobs site for the next advertised round.
- Eligibility
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander law graduates (identified role). Detailed criteria not readable from the filled listing.
- Runs
- Projected next Maliyan recruitment in 2027; start date unannounced
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- March 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- April 2027 (estimated)
The NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions runs a First Nations Mentoring Program. It matches First Nations solicitors,…
More about this program
The NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions runs a First Nations Mentoring Program. It matches First Nations solicitors, barristers and law students with Crown Prosecutors. The program runs each year from May to December across all 10 of the office's locations. It is a mentoring program and does not involve employment. The office has not published application dates or a selection process. It is open to participants from law students through to practising barristers.
- Eligibility
- First Nations solicitors, barristers and law students, matched with Crown Prosecutors.
- Runs
- Projected May–December 2027 mentoring, if repeated
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
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:
- Applications accepted throughout the year
- Applications close:
- Application dates not yet announced
Judges of the Supreme Court of New South Wales select their own tipstaves and associates. The court also employs researchers…
More about this program
Judges of the Supreme Court of New South Wales select their own tipstaves and associates. The court also employs researchers each year. Applicants should apply at the beginning of the year before the appointment. Associate vacancies can arise at any time. Tipstaff contracts run up to 12 months, and associates have 12 month renewable contracts. Applicants need Australian citizenship, permanent residence or a full time work visa. Applications are held for 12 months.
- Eligibility
- Australian citizen, permanent resident or full-time work visa. Researchers need a strong academic record.
- Runs
- Rolling chambers applications. Early January 2027 approach (recommended, not an opening date) for 2028 appointments.
- Pay
- Paid. Set by the Attorney General of NSW (not published)
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