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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 Guide for Students
Work experience format options
15 days | 25 days | 75 days |
---|---|---|
ACT, NT, NSW, QLD, SA & VIC | WA | All states |
Additional 6-week online program | Additional 5-week online program | No additional online program |
Additional $1,690 fee FEE-HELP is available | Additional $1,620 fee FEE-HELP is available |
No additional fee |
Learn More | Learn More |
|
*Find out about the 0-day work experience option, available for students whose PLT course ends before 24 June 2024.
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
WHEN CAN I DO MY WORK EXPERIENCE?
START YOUR WORK EXPERIENCE UP TO 2 YEARS BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR PLT!You will need to complete at least 15 days work experience in Australia after starting the PLT program and accrued at a minimum rate of 2 days per week.
You can undertake the remainder of your work experience before, during or after you begin the PLT program
You can accrue up to 60 days work experience in the two years prior to starting to your Practical Legal Training.
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)
how to have your work experience approved
SIMPLY FOLLOW THESE 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 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.
HOW TO FIND WORK EXPERIENCE
Monthly Webinar
Join free monthly webinars to learn helpful tips and expert advice on finding a legal role and planning your careerJobs Board
Find and apply vacancies for work experience, paralegals, graduate lawyers and other roles.
EVERYDAY JUSTICE
INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE AT EVERYDAY JUSTICE, AN INITIATIVE OF MILLS OAKLEY
The College of Law has partnered with Everyday Justice to set up a national internship program for law graduates. The program provides interns with intensive training, as well as practical legal experience, in order to ensure they develop the skills needed to pursue a career in social justice.
Everyday Justice provides free legal services to the “missing middle” – people who require legal assistance but who are ineligible for assistance from Legal Aid or other government-funded services, and who cannot afford a lawyer without incurring substantial financial hardship.
WORK EXPERIENCE JOURNAL
If you are undertaking the 75-days work experience option, you need to submit a work experience journal for the 15 days' work experience that you undertake in Australia after you have begun the PLT program. This journal must be signed by your supervisor.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- I completed legal work experience while at university. Can it be counted towards my PLT?
- What counts as work experience?
- Can work experience be completed remotely?
- Who can supervise my work experience placement?
- Will the College of Law find a placement for me?
- I am completing the 15-days or 25-days option. When can I start the additional coursework?
- Am I covered by insurance while completing work experience?
DISCOVER THE FLEX FACTOR.
BUILD YOUR OWN PLT.
AND SHARPEN ALL THE SKILLS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED.
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