Disclaimer: The material in this print-out relates to the law as it applies in the state of Victoria. It is intended as a general guide only. Readers should not act on the basis of any material in this print-out without getting legal advice about their own particular situations. Victoria Legal Aid disclaims any liability howsoever caused to any person in respect of any action taken in reliance on the contents of the publication.

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New Lawyers Program

Our two-year program for first-year lawyers gives you the opportunity to work closely with expert lawyers, undertake casework, and appear in court.

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About the New Lawyers Program

The New Lawyers Program (NLP) is a structured two-year professional development pathway for early career lawyers which runs annually.

Successful applicants undertake three placements of eight months each. They will:

  • gain hands-on experience in various areas of law
  • work directly with clients who need support the most.

It can be a great way to fast-track your career with broad legal experience, strong mentors, and a fantastic lifestyle.

Comprehensive induction and training

Develop the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in public interest law.

Diverse practice areas

Rotate through placements in criminal law, civil justice, family law, and access to justice services.

Regional experience

Consider the option to relocate to a regional area for a stable regional experience that offers fast-tracked development, helping you build resilience and adaptability.

Ongoing roles

Be confident that you can transition into an ongoing lawyer position at the end of the program.

Opportunities and building skills

New Lawyers Program participants have the opportunity to:

  • participate in regular appearance work in courts and tribunals
  • complete casework and conduct advice clinics
  • work with diverse clients daily
  • get hands-on experience by rotating metropolitan and regional placements at our various offices
  • learn from expert lawyers
  • participate in our professional legal education activities
  • contribute to law reform and community legal education.

You will be supported throughout the New Lawyers Program by an in-house practice that includes over 60 lawyers who are Law Institute of Victoria accredited specialists.

You'll build skills in:

  • negotiation and alternative dispute resolution
  • client communication
  • advocacy
  • cross-cultural awareness and communication
  • mental health first aid
  • safe and effective client interaction.

The 2027 New Lawyers Program

Launch your legal career with purpose. Make a difference in communities across Victoria.

Applications are now open and close at 11.59 pm, Sunday 11 October 2027.

The 2027 New Lawyers Program has 11 positions available in both targeted and generalist pathways.

Targeted practice area pathways

Placement pathways 1–7 offer a development pathway towards a specific legal practice area. They offer a range of experiences and development areas that contribute to a balanced, but specialised practice with (mostly) centralised locations for lawyers that are unable to relocate for the program.

Pathway 1 – criminal law

  • Frankston – criminal law and family violence
  • Melbourne CBD – mental health and disability law in the Civil Justice team
  • Melbourne CBD – therapeutic courts.

Pathway 2 – criminal law

  • Ringwood – criminal law
  • Broadmeadows – criminal law and family violence
  • Melbourne CBD – indictable crime.

Pathway 3 – criminal law, youth crime

  • Melbourne CBD – summary crime
  • Dandenong – criminal law and family violence
  • Melbourne CBD – youth crime.

Pathway 4 – criminal law

  • Geelong – criminal law
  • Melbourne CBD – summary crime
  • Sunshine/Wyndham – criminal law.

Pathway 5 – civil justice law

  • Melbourne CBD – civil justice law and mental health and disability law
  • Melbourne CBD – civil justice law and economic social rights
  • Melbourne CBD – civil justice law and equality law.

Pathway 6 – family law

  • Melbourne CBD – family law
  • Melbourne CBD – Legal Help
  • Melbourne CBD – child support or child protection.

Pathway 7 – Legal Help

  • Melbourne CBD – Legal Help
  • Ringwood – criminal law
  • Melbourne CBD – civil justice law, economic social rights.

Generalist pathways

Pathway 8 - metropolitan Melbourne

  • Rotate through criminal law, civil law and family law in our metropolitan Melbourne offices.

Outer-regional pathways

Pathway 9 – outer-regional

  • Work from a single regional office (let us know your preferences) with placements in family law, civil justice and criminal law.

Pathway 10 – outer-regional

  • Work from a single regional office (let us know your preferences) with placements in family law, civil justice and criminal law.

Pathway 11 – outer-regional

  • Work from a single regional office (let us know your preferences) with placements in family law, civil justice and criminal law.

The benefits of regional pathways

Relocate for the program, or land a brilliant professional development opportunity close to home. Our Victorian community benefits either way, and so do you.

Regional pathways offer:

  • broader casework – handle a diverse range of cases with increased responsibility
  • community impact – work closely with clients and communities, where your advocacy has visible outcomes
  • mentorship – build strong relationships with senior lawyers and leaders
  • professional growth – develop resilience and adaptability in new settings.

We strongly encourage applicants to preference an outer-regional pathway, as these placements are often career-defining experiences. When preferencing an outer-regional pathway, be sure to let us know the regional office location you want to join.

Who we are looking for

We’re looking for people with amazing potential to grow their careers with us.

You must be a new lawyer (1 year or less experience in a role requiring a practising certificate) admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria or eligible for admission no later than 31st January 2027 in Victoria under the mutual recognition principle who:

  • has an interest in the social justice sector and can adapt to regular change
  • has the ability to act as an advocate and deliver legal advice and casework
  • has life experience
  • is community-minded
  • has strong communication and people skills
  • is resilient and able to deal with complex legal work that is distressing and emotionally demanding
  • understands the complex needs of our clients and the underlying systemic issues
  • is excited to learn and develop your legal and advocacy skills.
  • has their own personal transport. Many of our placements are in regional areas or areas with limited public transport
  • lawyers must hold a valid practising certificate throughout the duration of the program.

Key program dates

Recruitment phase

  • Applications accepted: 28 September – 11 October 2026
  • Interviews held: 16–27 November 2026
  • Offers made and placement pathways confirmed: 18 December 2026

Program dates

  • New Lawyers Program start date: 22 February 2027
  • Placement one start date: 26 February 2027
  • Placement two start date: October 2027
  • Placement three start date: June 2028
  • New Lawyers Program end date: February 2029
  • Participants move to a role in their ‘home directorate’: February 2029

Apply now

Launch your legal career with purpose. Apply now and be part of building a fairer Victoria.

Contact

For more information email earlycareers@vla.vic.gov.au

Other opportunities

Our program is incredibly competitive, with only 11 roles available. We encourage you to also consider other legal roles that may be available in our regional offices.

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