Graduate programs
Explore graduate programs, practical legal training placements and court associateships.
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17 programs
- Applications open:
- 1 March 2027
- Applications close:
- April 2027 (estimated)
The Attorney-General's Department runs an 11 month graduate program in Canberra, with relocation assistance. Graduates complete three rotations, a major…
More about this program
The Attorney-General's Department runs an 11 month graduate program in Canberra, with relocation assistance. Graduates complete three rotations, a major project and practical legal training if eligible. They start at APS Level 4 equivalent and advance to APS Level 5 on completion. Applicants must be Australian citizens with a recent degree. Legal Practice stream applicants must be admitted or willing to complete practical legal training. Recruitment runs through the Australian Government Graduate Program. Most 2027 streams closed on 13 April 2026.
- Eligibility
- Australian citizen. Bachelor degree (AQF 7) or higher completed between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2026 (for 2027 intake). Legal Practice stream: admitted, or willing to complete PLT during the graduate year. Police, character and health checks and ability to obtain a security clearance.
- Runs
- Next AGGP recruitment in 2027, normally for a 2028 start; confirm final intake label on vacancy
- Pay
- Paid. APS Level 4 equivalent in the Entry Level Programs Broadband, advancing to APS Level 5 on completion (figures in AGD Enterprise Agreement)
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- 1 March 2027
- Applications close:
- April 2027 (estimated)
The Australian Government Solicitor runs a graduate program for law graduates. Applicants must be Australian citizens with a law degree…
More about this program
The Australian Government Solicitor runs a graduate program for law graduates. Applicants must be Australian citizens with a law degree completed within the past five years. They must be admitted, or eligible and willing to complete practical legal training during the program. They must obtain a Negative Vetting 2 security clearance. Graduates start in February and complete four rotations of about 12 weeks, including a client outpost and pro bono work. Applications usually open in March and close in April through the APS Jobs graduate portal.
- Eligibility
- Australian citizen at application. LLB or JD completed within the 5 years before 31 December of the application year. Admitted, or eligible and willing to complete PLT during the program. Must obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 2 security clearance and pass an employment screen.
- Runs
- Next AGGP Legal Stream recruitment in 2027, normally for February 2028
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- Applications accepted throughout the year
- Applications close:
- Application dates not yet announced
The ACT Supreme Court keeps a rolling associate register. Applications stay current for one year from receipt. Individual chambers also…
More about this program
The ACT Supreme Court keeps a rolling associate register. Applications stay current for one year from receipt. Individual chambers also advertise their own positions. Justice White's associate expression of interest closed on 8 July 2026. Applicants need a law degree at or near completion before starting, a strong academic record and research skills. Associates generally work on a 12 month contract. Some are extended for a further year as senior associate.
- Eligibility
- Law degree at or near completion before starting, strong academic record and research skills.
- Runs
- Available during 2027, subject to vacancies or placement capacity
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- Application dates not yet announced
- Applications close:
- Application dates not yet announced
The ACT Government Solicitor offers practical legal training placements on request. They are for law graduates in the ANU College…
More about this program
The ACT Government Solicitor offers practical legal training placements on request. They are for law graduates in the ANU College of Law Legal Workshop or the College of Law practical legal training program. There is no fixed application window. Applicants email a Request for Placement form to the office. The office publishes no seasonal clerkship or structured graduate program. It engages law students and graduates as paralegals when vacancies exist.
- Eligibility
- Law graduates in the ANU College of Law Legal Workshop or the College of Law PLT program.
- Runs
- Available during 2027, subject to vacancies or placement capacity
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
Attorney-General's Department (Commonwealth)
Attorney-General's Department Jump Start
Pathway program · ACT
- Applications open:
- Application dates not yet announced
- Applications close:
- Application dates not yet announced
Jump Start is an early start arrangement run by the Attorney-General's Department in Canberra. It is open only to incoming…
More about this program
Jump Start is an early start arrangement run by the Attorney-General's Department in Canberra. It is open only to incoming graduates who have accepted a place in the department's graduate program. Participants take short term APS Level 3 contracts, part time or full time. Roles start in October or November, before the graduate program begins in February. There is no open application round. The department offers places to its incoming graduate cohort.
- Eligibility
- Incoming AGD graduates.
- Runs
- October–November 2026 early start before 2027 graduate year
- Pay
- Paid. APS Level 3
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- Application dates not yet announced
- Applications close:
- Application dates not yet announced
The Clayton Utz Graduate Program is for law graduates. Most graduates are former clerks. The program has three six-month rotations…
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The Clayton Utz Graduate Program is for law graduates. Most graduates are former clerks. The program has three six-month rotations and begins with a national orientation in Sydney. Clayton Utz recruits most graduates from its seasonal clerkships. Direct openings are listed when they arise. The graduate page does not state which offices take graduates. No dates are published for the next intake.
- Eligibility
- Law graduates, mainly former clerks.
- Runs
- 2027 intake and later graduate cohorts. Review July–August 2027; this is a review period, not an application opening.
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- Application dates not yet announced
- Applications close:
- Application dates not yet announced
The Gadens Graduate Program runs in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT. Graduates complete two six month rotations…
More about this program
The Gadens Graduate Program runs in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT. Graduates complete two six month rotations across different practice groups, with Leo Cussen practical legal training built in. Graduates are recruited mainly through the clerkships and priority offers under state law society guidelines. Melbourne and Brisbane priority offers ran from 4 to 5 August 2026. Any market applications follow state guideline dates. The firm has not published eligibility criteria.
- Eligibility
- Not published.
- Runs
- 2027 intake and later graduate cohorts. Review July–August 2027; this is a review period, not an application opening.
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- May–June 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- July 2027 (estimated)
The Holding Redlich Graduate Program starts in mid February. Graduates complete two six month rotations and receive support with practical…
More about this program
The Holding Redlich Graduate Program starts in mid February. Graduates complete two six month rotations and receive support with practical legal training. The program is open to former Undergraduate Program participants and to new candidates. Applications open in May or June, with offers in August. Direct recruitment usually takes place in September. The program is listed for Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT.
- Eligibility
- Former undergraduate program participants and new candidates.
- Runs
- Expected 2028 graduate cohort, recruited during 2027
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- Application dates not yet announced
- Applications close:
- Application dates not yet announced
The HWL Ebsworth Graduate Program runs for 12 months in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, the ACT and Tasmania.…
More about this program
The HWL Ebsworth Graduate Program runs for 12 months in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, the ACT and Tasmania. Melbourne runs three four month rotations and Perth runs two six month rotations. Hobart rotates graduates as needed. The program is open to final year students finishing in 2026 and graduates within two years of finishing. Applicants must be Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. Canberra requires Australian citizenship. Places are filled mainly through the clerkship program.
- Eligibility
- Final year law students finishing in 2026, or graduates within two years of finishing. Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. Canberra requires Australian citizenship.
- Runs
- 2027 intake and later graduate cohorts. Review July–August 2027; this is a review period, not an application opening.
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
Johnson Winter Slattery Graduate Program
Graduate program · NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, ACT
- Applications open:
- Application dates not yet announced
- Applications close:
- Application dates not yet announced
The Johnson Winter Slattery Graduate Program runs across the firm's offices in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western…
More about this program
The Johnson Winter Slattery Graduate Program runs across the firm's offices in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT. It lasts 15 months, in three rotations of five months each. The firm funds practical legal training for its graduates. Recruitment is mainly through priority offers to former seasonal clerks. The firm has not published eligibility criteria. The 2026 places in Sydney and Canberra have been filled.
- Eligibility
- Not published.
- Runs
- 2027 intake and later graduate cohorts. Review July–August 2027; this is a review period, not an application opening.
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- Application dates not yet announced
- Applications close:
- Application dates not yet announced
The Maddocks Graduate Program runs in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT. It lasts 12 months, with three rotations…
More about this program
The Maddocks Graduate Program runs in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT. It lasts 12 months, with three rotations and a national induction. Graduates complete practical legal training through Leo Cussen. The firm recruits graduates primarily from its clerkship cohort, and eligibility is limited to former clerks. The firm has not published application dates or a start date for the program.
- Eligibility
- Former clerks.
- Runs
- 2027 intake and later graduate cohorts. Review July–August 2027; this is a review period, not an application opening.
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- August 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- September 2027 (estimated)
The Mallesons Graduate Program is a rotational program for law graduates. It includes an option to rotate to another office.…
More about this program
The Mallesons Graduate Program is a rotational program for law graduates. It includes an option to rotate to another office. The firm has offices in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. The graduate page does not publish eligibility, the recruitment route or application dates. It also does not publish the length of the program, the number of rotations or the start date.
- Eligibility
- Not published.
- Runs
- Possible additional-market graduate recruitment during 2027 for 2028; subject to a vacancy
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- August 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- August 2027 (estimated)
McCullough Robertson runs a graduate program. The firm has not published eligibility criteria for the program. It has not published…
More about this program
McCullough Robertson runs a graduate program. The firm has not published eligibility criteria for the program. It has not published application dates or offer dates. It has not published a start date, the length of the program or its structure. It has not stated which offices take graduates. The listing covers Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT, where the firm has its Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra offices.
- Eligibility
- Not published
- Runs
- Possible 2028 graduate intake, if open-market roles are advertised
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- Application dates not yet announced
- Applications close:
- Application dates not yet announced
The Mills Oakley Graduate Program is for law graduates. It runs for 12 months, with three four month rotations. Graduates…
More about this program
The Mills Oakley Graduate Program is for law graduates. It runs for 12 months, with three four month rotations. Graduates complete practical legal training through the College of Law, with financial support from the firm. The firm has not published a recruitment timetable, and openings are advertised on its careers page. It has not stated which offices take graduates. The careers page has not been updated for the current intake.
- Eligibility
- Law graduates
- Runs
- 2027 intake and later graduate cohorts. Review July–August 2027; this is a review period, not an application opening.
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- August 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- September 2027 (estimated)
Moray & Agnew runs a graduate program. Its brochure and careers page give no dates, eligibility criteria or offices for…
More about this program
Moray & Agnew runs a graduate program. Its brochure and careers page give no dates, eligibility criteria or offices for graduates. The firm has not published the length or structure of the program. Enquiries go to people@moray.com.au. The listing covers New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, the ACT, Western Australia and Tasmania, reflecting the firm's eight offices. The firm does not list a clerkship program.
- Eligibility
- Not published
- Runs
- Possible recruitment in 2027 for a 2028 graduate start; no cohort timing verified
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- August–September 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- September 2027 (estimated)
Thomsons Lawyers offers its Graduate Program in each office. The offices are in New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Queensland,…
More about this program
Thomsons Lawyers offers its Graduate Program in each office. The offices are in New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. Graduates rotate across practice groups. The firm has not published the length of the program or its eligibility criteria. Applications are taken during each state's open period, but the firm has not published dates. Recruitment enquiries go to recruitment@thomsons.com.au.
- Eligibility
- Not published
- Runs
- Potential 2028 graduate recruitment; application periods differ by office
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
- Applications open:
- August 2027 (estimated)
- Applications close:
- September 2027 (estimated)
Barry Nilsson runs a graduate program across its Australian offices. Some graduate intakes are filled directly from the firm's vacation…
More about this program
Barry Nilsson runs a graduate program across its Australian offices. Some graduate intakes are filled directly from the firm's vacation clerk program. The firm has not published eligibility criteria, program structure, start dates or application dates. Its careers page states that applications are currently closed. Students interested in the program should consider the firm's vacation clerkships, which feed some graduate intakes.
- Eligibility
- Not published
- Runs
- Potential 2028 graduate recruitment; contingent on office vacancies
Checked 29 October 2026 · Source
Graduate recruitment guide
A graduate program is your first year or two as a lawyer, with rotations, supervision and usually your practical legal training paid for. Firms are only one part of it. Governments, regulators, legal aid, prosecutors and courts all take graduates, often on very different timetables.
Dates shown are for programs starting in 2027 unless marked. Last checked 29 October 2026. Confirm on the employer's 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.
Five ways in
- From a clerkship. Most large firms fill their graduate intake from their own clerks. Some take a few more through an open round.
- Through a firm's open graduate round. Mid-size and regional firms often recruit graduates directly, many in a state's graduate window.
- Through a government program. The Commonwealth and most states run graduate programs with a legal stream or a legal office of their own. Many close in autumn, a year before you start.
- Through legal aid, prosecution and community services. Legal aid commissions and the Aboriginal legal services run their own programs, several with regional placements.
- As a judge's associate. A year or two working for a judge, recruited chamber by chamber, sometimes two or three years ahead.
Many programs pay for or build in your practical legal training. Check whether you must already be enrolled, as in Tasmania, where the government program takes only Legal Practice Course students.
When graduate rounds run
The state law society schemes cover firm graduate rounds as well as clerkships. Timing differs more than for clerkships. NSW recruits graduates more than a year ahead, Victoria and Queensland in August and September, and WA makes its offers in July.
| Where | Firm graduate round | Public sector timing |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | No scheme. | ACT Public Service program closed 12 July 2026. |
| NSW | Law Society program. For 2028 starts: applications 22 February to 4 April 2027, offers 2 June 2027 (decide by 1pm next day). | Crown Solicitor's Office applications open in May 2027. NSW Government Graduate Program starts each February. |
| VIC | LIV guidelines. Priority offers to own clerks 4 August 2026. Open market applications 7 to 23 August, offers 30 September 2026. | VGSO follows the LIV dates. Victoria Legal Aid's New Lawyers Program closed 11 October 2026. |
| QLD | QLS guidelines. Offers to own clerks and staff 4 August 2026. Open market applications 10 to 21 August, offers 24 September 2026. Programs start February 2027. | Department of Justice applications open in August. |
| WA | Law Society of WA dates. Graduate offers 17 July 2026, held open 9am to 1pm. | State Solicitor's Office applications April to May. Legal Aid WA closed in May and June 2026. |
| SA | No scheme. Firms set their own dates. | Crown Solicitor's Office fills roles from a 12-month graduate pool. |
| TAS | No scheme. Firms recruit as roles arise. | Department of Justice Legal Graduate Program closes 8 November 2026. |
| NT | No scheme. | SFNT program starts each January and is advertised once a year. |
| Commonwealth | Not applicable | Most programs close in March to May, about ten months before a February start. ASIC's closed 16 August 2026. |
Commonwealth programs
The Commonwealth recruits early. For a February 2027 start, most programs closed between March and May 2026. If you finish your degree next year, the window to watch opens around March 2027.
Australian Government Graduate Program, Legal Stream. A central round run through APS Jobs, with a merit pool that agencies hire from. The Attorney-General's Department takes its legal graduates through it. AGD's program runs 11 months with three rotations in Canberra and builds in practical legal training. You need to be an Australian citizen.
Australian Government Solicitor. The Commonwealth's own legal practice, part of AGD, recruits separately. Its program has four rotations of about 12 weeks across its practice groups, an outpost in a Commonwealth agency and pro bono work. Applications generally run March to April. Graduates need a Negative Vetting 2 security clearance.
Regulators with a law stream. ASIC runs a law stream in its graduate program (closed 16 August 2026) and a Legal stream in its internship program, based in Sydney or Melbourne (the 2026 round ran 6 to 20 October). The ATO has a taxation and law stream (closed 9 April 2026). The ACCC recruits lawyers through its general stream (closed 17 May 2026).
Earlier pathways. AGD also runs Jump Start and hosts interns through the Australian Disability Network's Stepping Into program.
National firms with one national program. Barry Nilsson, Clayton Utz and Mills Oakley run national graduate programs and place graduates by office.
Browse government bodies on the AtlasState by state
New South Wales
Government The Crown Solicitor's Office runs a two-year graduate development program for newly admitted lawyers. The NSW Government Graduate Program has a Legal stream: 18 months, three placements and the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice built in. The Department of Communities and Justice runs the Maliyan Program for Aboriginal graduate solicitors.
Legal aid, prosecution and community Legal Aid NSW runs a Crime Regional Graduate Program. The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) recruits graduate solicitors on a rolling basis for its Western NSW criminal practice.
Clerkships in New South WalesVictoria
Government The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office runs a 12-month program across four legal branches, with training through Leo Cussen. The central Victorian Government Graduate Program has no legal stream.
Legal aid, prosecution and community Victoria Legal Aid runs the New Lawyers Program for admitted lawyers and a First Nations Graduate Law Program.
Clerkships in VictoriaQueensland
Government The Department of Justice runs a two-year Law and Justice Graduate Program, open to law, justice and criminology graduates.
Legal aid, prosecution and community Legal Aid Queensland runs a Graduate Lawyer Program.
Clerkships in QueenslandWestern Australia
Government The State Solicitor's Office runs a 12-month rotational program and pays for practical legal training. Its 2027 graduates are on two-year contracts.
Legal aid, prosecution and community Legal Aid WA runs a Law Graduate Program and a Regional Law Graduate Program.
Clerkships in Western AustraliaSouth Australia
Government The Crown Solicitor's Office fills graduate solicitor roles from an employment pool that stays valid for 12 months.
Legal aid, prosecution and community The Legal Services Commission runs a practical legal training program.
Clerkships in South AustraliaAustralian Capital Territory
Government The ACT Public Service Graduate Program has a Legal career path for non-practising roles. The ACT Government Solicitor hosts practical legal training placements. Canberra is also home to most Commonwealth programs (above).
Legal aid, prosecution and community The ACT Cross-Sector Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Law Graduate Program, run by Legal Aid ACT, has not opened a round since 2024.
Clerkships in Australian Capital TerritoryTasmania
Government The Department of Justice runs a Legal Graduate Program of about two years. Graduates work part time while completing the Tasmanian Legal Practice Course, then full time. Applications for 2027 close 8 November 2026.
Clerkships in TasmaniaNorthern Territory
Government The Solicitor for the Northern Territory runs a 12-month program from January, with rotations that can include the DPP and Parliamentary Counsel. Two places are reserved for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates.
Legal aid, prosecution and community NAAJA invites expressions of interest from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law graduates and supervises some GDLP placements.
Clerkships in Northern TerritoryAssociateships
An associate works beside one judge for a year or two. Most courts have no central round. Each judge's chambers recruits, sometimes years ahead, so watch the court's own page.
- High Court of Australia
- Each Justice recruits separately, often two to three years ahead. Justice Gleeson took applications from 1 to 31 October 2026 for 2028.
- Federal Court of Australia
- Judges recruit their own associates as positions arise.
- Federal Circuit and Family Court
- Associate roles in both divisions, plus associates to registrars and legal case managers.
- Supreme Court of NSW
- Judges choose associates and tipstaves directly. Apply early in the year before the appointment. Researchers are hired each year.
- Supreme Court of Victoria
- Roles are advertised one by one on the Victorian Government jobs board.
- Supreme and District Courts of Queensland
- An annual round. The 2027 round ran 8 December 2025 to 30 January 2026. The 2028 window is not yet published.
- Supreme Court of WA
- An annual round closing in April for January starts, plus individual chambers ads.
- Supreme Court of SA
- Rolling. Apply to each Justice's chambers. Associates can complete the GDLP while employed.
- Supreme Court of Tasmania
- Roles are advertised on the Tasmanian Government jobs site as they arise.
- Supreme Court of the NT
- Positions are offered at the start of each year. Apply to each judge's executive assistant.
- ACT Supreme Court
- A rolling associate register, current for a year, plus chambers ads.
FAQ
Do I need a clerkship to get a graduate role?
No. It is the main route into the largest firms. Government, regulators, legal aid, courts and most mid-size firms recruit graduates directly.
When should I start looking?
In the year before you finish. Commonwealth programs close in autumn, NSW firms recruit in February to April, and most other states run August to October.
Will the program pay for my practical legal training?
Many do, and some build it into the program. Check each listing. In Tasmania you must already be enrolled in the Legal Practice Course to apply to the government program.
I am not a citizen. Can I apply?
Commonwealth programs require Australian citizenship. Most state programs and firms ask for work rights for the length of the program. Check each listing.