About the program
Our graduate law program is designed to improve pathways for First Nations law students who want to complete their legal admission requirements and begin a career in social justice.
The program involves:
- a 12-month placement with a full-time salary
- on-the-job legal experience, where you’ll gain excellent skills and experience with a team and practice area of law.
- practical legal training run by Leo Cussen Centre for Law
- access to continuous professional education courses
- cultural support through our First Nations Employment Consultant and connect with our First Nations Staff Network
- for participants on First Nations Graduate program, you can then apply and be interviewed for the New Lawyers Program.
In 2025, we had three First Nations graduates complete the program.
Learning opportunities
Graduates are exposed to a range of activities and support including:
- ongoing one-on-one guidance from experienced lawyers
- helping lawyers in the administration, conduct and management of cases for clients
- liaising with internal and external stakeholders
- completing legal research and drafting documents
- undertaking professional legal education and law reform activities
- working with a diverse client base
- providing information and referrals to the public, legal practitioners and community agencies about our organisation and external services.
Our graduate program provides the ideal pathway into our New Lawyers Program.
Eligibility
The program is open to First Nations law graduates and students who are eligible to commence Practical Legal Training Course (PLT). That is, you have completed all the requirements of the LLB (Bachelor of Laws) or equivalent, from an Australian approved law school (and be qualified to graduate).
As this program is designated for First Nations (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) only, you will be asked to provide information that supports your identity as a First Nations person.
This can include a certified Confirmation of Aboriginality document or letter from an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation where you are from, or where you live. We understand this can be challenging sometime, so please contact us if this is a barrier and we can discuss.
Current applications
Applications for our 2026 program are now open with applications closing at 11.59 pm on Tuesday 10 March 2026. Visit the First Nations Law Graduate Program – position description.
Future positions will be advertised on this page and annually on our careers portal page. Details on the application and interview process will be available within the job advertisement.
Application process
Launch your legal career with purpose. Apply now and be part of building a fairer Victoria.
To apply, please submit:
- a cover letter that tells us about why you want to join Victoria Legal Aid, and what you hope to learn on the law graduate program
- your current resume
- your academic transcript, showing completion of your law degree.
For this program, you must be eligible to commence your practical legal training in May 2026.
If you require adjustment to the recruitment and selection process or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact:
- First Nations Employment Consultant Steph McStay on (03) 9269 0496 or email FirstNationsEmployment@vla.vic.gov.au
- Early Careers Specialist Laurel Bakos on (03) 9269 0278 or email earlycareers@vla.vic.gov.au
Previous participants
Audrey Packer Cook
'As well as providing a valuable pathway into the New Lawyers Program, the Graduate Law Program is well supported through lawyers in your practice team to guide you with day-to-day legal tasks, as well as the provision of mentors to help you navigate Victoria Legal Aid and your career. Being a large organisation, Victoria Legal Aid gives you an opportunity to rotate through areas that interest you such as civil, criminal or family law areas'.
'In Civil Justice I have had the opportunity to work on individual client matters to address their experiences of discrimination, as well as to participate in broader law reform work which aims to address systemic issues, alleviate disadvantage and promote equality. Victoria Legal Aid works in each level of the system to achieve its goals of access to justice, which ensures your work is diverse and impactful'.
Jes’Se Rushby
'I completed Victoria Legal Aid's clerkship program in 2019 where I had an overwhelmingly positive experience. When the time came to apply for the graduate program it was an easy decision and felt like the natural next step. If you are passionate about social justice and being a driver of systemic change, the program is an ideal stepping stone in your legal career'.
'As a budding Indigenous lawyer, it was important for me to feel well-supported and provided with opportunities to challenge and develop my skills to become a robust and well-equipped legal professional. The graduate program undoubtedly offers this. The varied and complex legal issues of disadvantaged clients means that the work you do has a real and tangible impact. I feel immensely grateful to Victoria Legal Aid and couldn't think of a better way to start my legal career'.
Katelyn Jones
'The graduate program has given me an amazing opportunity to engage in client-facing legal work whilst completing my Practical Legal Training in a supportive environment'.
'Rotating through different practice areas is great as I get to work in different areas of interest and test my abilities in different roles. In addition, the support provided throughout the program has made it easier to balance work and Practical Legal Training and to navigate the transition from studies into the legal workforce'.
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