Work Experience
ABOUT
Gain insight into a real legal environment
Designed to give you insights into what it’s like to work in a real legal environment, this is your first opportunity to apply your skills to real-life legal problems.
WORK EXPERIENCE EXAMPLES
You have a huge range of opportunities that may count towards your Work Experience component. Examples include:
- Summer clerkships
- Paralegal work
- Volunteering at community legal centres
- A placement with Legal Aid
- Working with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
- Tax or legal division of chartered accountants
- Government policy and planning work of a legal nature
- Judge’s associate or tipstaff
- Assisting barristers in chambers
- Working in government or semi-government legal departments
- Assisting Tribunal members
- Company in-house legal departments
Work experience format options
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Structure |
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SHORT FORMAT |
15 days of approved work experience + 6 week Clinical Experience Module (CEM) |
| SHORT FORMAT (WA only) |
25 days of approved work experience + 5 week Clinical Experience Module (CEM) |
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STANDARD FORMAT |
75 days of approved work experience
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when can i do my work experience?
Start your work experience up to 2 years before beginning your PLT!
You can undertake your work experience before, during and after your Coursework component of PLT.
You can accrue up to 60 days work experience in the two years prior to starting to your Practical Legal Training.
You will need to complete at least 15 days work experience in Australia, concurrently with or after the Coursework Component and accrued at a minimum rate of 2 days per week.
work experience rules
To be eligible, your work experience must comply with the Work Experience Rules. In short, your work experience:
- Must occur in the delivery of legal services
- Must be under the supervision of an appropriate supervisor
- May be undertaken in one or multiple placements
- May include experience undertaken as an undergraduate (but such experience cannot be used to satisfy the entire placement)
Important: Please ensure you read the rules carefully and contact us if you have any questions.
how to have your work experience approved
Simply follow the following six steps:
- Read the Work Experience Rules thoroughly.
- Provide your supervisor with a copy of the Work Experience Guide for Supervisors to read.
- Submit your Work Experience Approval Form (PDF) (signed by your supervisor) before, or as soon as possible after you start your placement via email.
- We will then advise you of the outcome of your application.
- After completing your placement, submit the Work Experience Declaration Form (signed by your supervisor) to the College via email.
Can work experience be approved retrospectively?
Yes. In fact, this is quite common – especially in cases where students have completed some work experience as undergraduates. However, approval is at our discretion.
Your work experience must still comply with the Work Experience Rules – and you still need to follow Steps 2-6 above.
Work Experience Journal
If you are undertaking the Standard Work Experience Format, you need to submit a work experience journal for the 15 days' work experience that you have undertaken in Australia concurrently with or after the Coursework Component. This journal must be signed by your supervisor.
Your Work Experience Supervisor
We have created a guide that you can provide to your supervisor that helps explain the purpose of work experience and The College of Law's expectations about the nature of the supervision required.
Am I Covered By Insurance While Doing Work Experience?
Yes, you are entitled to insurance cover as a College of Law student if you are undertaking an unpaid approved placement.
How to Find a Work Experience
Online Jobs Board
With more than 70 jobs from around the country at any one time, we have more opportunities available for law students than any other website in Australia.
We actively source opportunities for our Jobs Board – and work with industry to find placement opportunities.
Student Employment Register
The College of Law provides a free service that allows law students to post CV's on the Jobs Board so that employers can search for candidates who match their criteria.
To post your CV, create a Job Seeker profile on the Jobs Board. Please note that this service is only available to College students and graduates.
Student Employment Register
Please see these links for work experience opportunities:
questions about your work Experience Component?
Please contact:
support@collaw.edu.au
P: 1300 856 111