2025 Internship - Law Clerk

2025 Internship – Law Clerk

Law Reform Commission and Sentencing Council Secretariat

• Location: Parramatta, with hybrid working options.
• Casual Full-Time (4 weeks) - Part-Time option available
• Clerk Grade 1/2, Salary base, ($73,522 - $79,931) pro rata over the placement period.

Your role

The Secretariat for the NSW Law Reform Commission (LRC) and the NSW Sentencing Council (Council) supports the work of these two independent statutory bodies.

The LRC consists of a Chairperson (the Hon Tom Bathurst AC KC), Deputy Chairperson (the Hon Justice Anna Mitchelmore) and Commissioner Kate Eastman AM SC. The LRC is reviewing the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

The Council consists of a Chairperson (the Hon Peter McClellan AM KC) and 15 members including judges, prosecutors, criminal defence lawyers, victims’ advocates, police and community representatives. The Council is reviewing the law relating to the use of “good character” in sentencing.

The Secretariat is part of the Policy, Reform and Legislation Branch of the Department of Communities and Justice.

What you’ll do

The Internship is a paid four-week (or equivalent) casual placement. Interns usually start with us between May and August (depending on university semester dates and availability).

Reporting to the Policy Manager, you will undertake a range of activities to support the Secretariat. Some of the tasks you may be expected to complete include:

• legal research, including case law and legislative analysis
• writing research and briefing notes on legal and policy issues
• contributing to the development of law reform proposals and recommendations, and
• assisting with stakeholder engagement.

You will be acknowledged for your contribution in any published papers.

Our website contains answers to frequently asked questions about the internship.

Please note the Secretariat cannot offer practical legal training or work experience required for professional admission as a solicitor or barrister.

What we’re looking for

As an essential requirement, interns must be penultimate or final year students in a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree (or equivalent).

The successful candidate must also demonstrate the following criteria:

• 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.

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:

• 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

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information?  Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, and attach:

1. An up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages),
2. Your academic record (an unofficial record is acceptable), and
3. A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing:

• How you meet the essential requirement of the role, the four criteria outlined above, and the focus capabilities outlined in the role description, and
• Your availability between May and September 2025.

Applications close: Sunday, 16 March 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact Rebecca Winder or Carol Hoang at lrc-intern@dcj.nsw.gov.au

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Lois Jebin at lois.jebin@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/