Aboriginal Identified - Professional Legal Training Program 2025
About the Judge Bob Bellear Legal Career Pathways – Professional Legal Training Program
The Professional Legal Training Program (the Program) provides recent Law graduates with the opportunity to complete their formal on-the-job Practical Legal Training (PLT), to be eligible for admission as a solicitor.
The Program is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are:
This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies and may be used to create a Talent Pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.
This is an Aboriginal identified recruitment. This means we want to recruit an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person for this role. Identified roles help organisations hire Aboriginal people who bring their cultural knowledge, community experience and expertise to deliver services to Aboriginal communities and increase the cultural competency of the organisation. We are proud to have more Aboriginal solicitors than any legal practice in NSW and our aim is that 11% of all staff will be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
About us
Legal Aid NSW helps people with their legal problems. We can help people with most areas criminal law, family law and every day civil law legal issues. We give legal advice, help at court and do family dispute resolution. We can do this over the telephone or at one of our 28 offices.
About you
We are looking for applicants who:
Please Note: Legal Aid NSW considers that being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational qualification under s 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).
Applicants for this role must satisfy the Aboriginality criteria. Aboriginality is defined by descent through parentage, identification as being Aboriginal and being accepted in the community as such.
In the pre-screening questions you will need to provide information on how you satisfy the Aboriginality criteria.
How to apply
You MUST submit your application online through iworkfor.nsw.gov.au. If you submit your application late or by email it will NOT be accepted.
Your application must include:
your resume (no more than 5 pages)
cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please address the following target questions: 1. Why do you wish to undertake your practical legal training at Legal Aid NSW?
2. Explain the skills and attributes you can bring to this role.
When applying on Iworkfor.nsw, candidates will answer pre-screening questions, including their location and practice area preferences, and their PLT start date. While preferences are considered, placements will depend on operational needs.
Locations: Legal Aid NSW has offices located across NSW. View the full list here, and nominate only those you can travel to.
Practice Areas: More information on practice areas is available on Legal Aid NSW Professional Legal training Program – Information for Candidates
Make sure your application is complete and you have answered all questions before you submit it.
About the role
This role offers Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander law graduates the chance to gain legal experience while completing their practical legal training (PLT) requirements in a social justice setting. You’ll work alongside experienced solicitors, assisting in legal work that supports vulnerable communities. You will have a commitment to social justice, strong communication skills and adaptability to new systems.
In this role, you will:
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW!
We are committed to diversity and inclusion
We are committed to creating a culturally safe and genuinely inclusive organisation and workplace for everyone who works and interacts with us. We strive to be a place where people from diverse backgrounds want to work, where voices and cultures are valued and where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard.
We want a workforce that reflects our clients, so we can deliver a service that meets the needs of the community. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTQI+ community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities.
We acknowledge, support and accommodate the diverse access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities. If you need an adjustment to participate in the recruitment process, or you’d like information about what we can do to help you, please contact our team at erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au.
Other benefits of working with us
The essential requirements for this role
You must:
Note: Prospective applicants in Year 12 intending to enrol in university may apply for a cadetship. However, commencing as a cadet would be subject to proof of actual enrolment.
Legal Aid NSW have a number of roles where it is a statutory obligation for staff to hold a valid Working with Children Check. You will be required to provide your Working with Children Check details prior to starting in any role requiring the check.
Do you need help to apply?
It’s important to properly prepare before you apply for a role. Here is some other information to help you:
The Professional Legal Training Program Information: Interested candidates are encouraged to first read Legal Aid NSW Professional Legal Training Program – Information for Candidates to understand the program and ensure eligibility
Role Description: The PLT Placement (Aboriginal Identified) Role Description sets out the responsibilities, focus capabilities, and key accountabilities of the role. It helps you understand what the panel expects in the successful candidate.
Judge Bob Bellear Legal Pathways Program: Learn more about the program by clicking here.
Contact Information: If you have questions about the role, you can contact the Hiring Manager – Alison Szylo on 02 9219 5811 or email: alison.szylo@legalaid.nsw.gov.au. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants can reach out to the Aboriginal Services Branch for a confidential discussion about any questions they may have.
Further information:
Applying for a Role Working at Legal Aid NSW