2023 - 2024 Summer Clerkship Policy, Reform and

**Location: Our home office is located in Parramatta. Hybrid working arrangements are in place with a combination of working from the office (approximately 1-2 days per week) and working from home.**:

- **Clerk Grade 1/2, Salary ($67,975 - $73,901)** pro rata over the placement period**

**About us**

The Department of Communities and Justice works with children, adults, families and communities to deliver services with a unified and collaborative approach with the objective of achieving a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive community.

Policy Reform and Legislation supports the development of the legislative program and provides parliamentary and administrative support services. This is primarily for the Attorney General but also includes a range of Ministers who have responsibility in the communities and justice sectors.

Policy, Reform and Legislation is responsible for ensuring that the legal and policy framework of the Department is aligned with the government's current priorities. Policy Reform and Legislation's role is to:

- identify the need for, and formulate changes to, the law and legal system,
- ensure quality legal policy advice is provided to the portfolio Ministers and to government,
- implement the portfolio Ministers' legislative programs, and
- inform the community about changes to, and the operation of, legislation within the portfolio.
- Applicants will be given the opportunity to express a preference as to rotation through the following teams:
**Law Enforcement and Crime Team**:
LEC works on criminal law policy largely in the area of domestic violence, sexual assault and vulnerable witnesses. Recent reforms the team was responsible for is the coercive control reforms and the sexual consent reforms. They are currently doing work relating to the expansion of the Child Sexual Offence Evidence Program, monitoring the consent reforms and a project regarding banning conversion practices.

**Criminal Justice System Team**:
CJS focuses on longer-term systemic reform within the criminal justice system. The team looks after all things relating to diversion out of the system, bail, sentencing and parole. It is also responsible for specific projects relating to Closing the Gap, digital reform in courts, children and young people, and mental health and cognitive impairment.

**Civil Justice, Vulnerable Communities, and Inclusion Team**:
CJVCI undertake research, draft legal policy advice and develop legislative and non-legislative projects relating to the civil justice system, including discrimination and guardianship law and provide support for the legislative program for the Attorney General

**Courts, Access to Justice and Regulatory Team**:
The team works on a wide variety of policy and reform areas including courts and tribunals, criminal and civil procedures, specialist jurisdictions (e.g., the Walama List, Drug Court and coronial jurisdiction), privacy and new technologies, how the legal profession is regulated and strategy and funding around the legal assistance sector.

**About the role**

A Summer Clerkship with the Policy, Reform and Legislation (PRL) Branch provides a unique opportunity to be involved in formulating government policy, law reform and Parliamentary practice. You will have hands-on involvement in a range of projects from civil to criminal law policy and legislation development.

Some of the tasks you may be expected to complete include preparing briefing notes for the Attorney General and other ministers, liaising with stakeholders, conducting in-depth analysis on proposed Bills or policy reform, writing speeches, attending meetings and conducting research.

A Summer Clerkship with the Policy, Reform and Legislation Branch is suited to students who enjoy working in a fast paced and dynamic workplace, have excelled in a variety of academic and non-academic fields, and are interested in pursuing a career in government or public policy.

**Essential requirements of the role**
- Currently studying a law degree (whether an undergraduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or postgraduate Juris Doctor (JD)
- National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014
- Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

**About you**
- A strong academic record
- Well-developed legal research and writing skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and
- A demonstrated interest in law reform and policy development

Applicants are required to be in their penultimate or final year of their law degree.
- a covering letter addressing the selection criteria
- an up to date CV
- a current academic transcript
- contact details for at least two referees
- Interest in, and an understanding of, the work of the Department of Communities and Justice.
- Experience, gained through paid or voluntary work and extracurricular activities, that would enable you to contribute to the Department.
- Good communica