First Nations Social Justice Graduate Program

5 days ago

Sydney NSW, Australia Justice and Equity Centre Full time $60,000 - $180,000 per year
  • Opportunity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander law graduate
  • Work with respected legal teams at forefront of social and criminal justice
  • Transition into solicitor role with professional mentoring

The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre (The Shopfront) and the Justice and Equity Centre (JEC), formerly the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) have partnered to provide this unique opportunity to lay the foundations for your legal career.

The Shopfront provides free legal advice and assistance for homeless and disadvantaged young people aged 25 years and younger. It is a pro bono project of Herbert Smith Freehills, in partnership with Mission Australia and The Salvation Army.

The Justice and Equity Centre (formerly the Public Interest Advocacy Centre), is a leading social justice law and policy centre. We build a fairer, stronger society by helping to change laws, policies and practices that cause injustice and inequality.

  • Structured 2-year program for law graduates
  • Paid Practical Legal Training and financial support
  • Sydney, CBD location, with some flexible/remote work supported
  • Identified position for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

The program runs for a total of two years, in two phases. It can be tailored to suit the requirements of the different GDLP course structures on offer. In phase one you will be supported to achieve admission as a lawyer in NSW, while working part time in a paralegal role at The Shopfront and the JEC. In phase two you will be employed full time as a solicitor, providing individual casework assistance to clients of The Shopfront (primarily focused on criminal law), and then working at the JEC on strategic litigation and policy responses to issues arising in that casework.

Suitable candidates will be able to demonstrate your commitment to social and criminal justice and have completed, or are completing in 2025/early 2026, an LLB or JD law degree in Australia, with capacity to:

  • Manage competing demands and deliver high-quality results on time
  • Undertake detailed legal research with meticulous writing skills
  • Achieve outcomes individually and within a team
  • Engage in a way that promotes fairness and equity

This position is intended as a special measure for the purposes of s 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) and the subject of an exemption granted under s 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

If you'd like to gain hands on legal experience, professional mentoring and training to provide the foundations for a successful career in the law, please send your resume along with a covering letter and responses to the selection criteria included in the position description (see 'knowledge, skills and experience').

Inquiries should be directed to [email protected]

Please send your application to [email protected], including First Nations Social Justice Graduate Program in the subject field. Please note the application close date is 17 November 2025, and anticipated commencement for this role is early June 2026.

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