Legal graduates are recruited directly to Defence through the Australian Government Graduate Program – Legal Stream.
Legal graduates at Defence support a mix of practising and non-practising (legal policy) roles across a vary array of areas, such as administrative, international, commercial, governance, and operational law. Defence offers exposure to legal issues central to national security and capability.
What you’ll gain:
* Experience across a unique and diverse range of legal work, from complex litigation and legislative reform to engaging with international counterparts to develop treaties and support strategic military operations
* Mentorship from experienced legal professionals
* Opportunities to innovate and contribute to delivery of high-quality legal services
All while in a supportive pathway designed to grow your career.
Defence Offerings
National security legal environment
Work on issues relating to international engagement, operations, governance, and capability.
A blend of legal and policy work
Opportunities across both practising legal roles and legal policy positions.
Rotations across diverse legal areas
Gain exposure to over twenty different areas of law, such as administrative law, commercial law, operational law, international law and legal policy.
Mentoring from experienced Defence lawyers
Graduates work alongside senior legal practitioners and advisers across Defence.
Defence offers graduates broad exposure across legal functions, including:
* Legal Practice
o Practical Legal Training will be funded for Graduates who are in the Legal Practice Stream only, and are yet to complete this training before commencing in Defence.
Scope of Opportunities
Defence offers graduates broad exposure across legal functions, including:
* Legal Practice: support lawyers across multiple legal disciplines by conducting legal research, drafting briefs and advice, supporting regulatory and policy development and contributing to legislation and compliance.
* Legal Policy (Non-Practising): contribute to legislation, regulatory and policy development, and support governance, risk, audit and compliance frameworks.
* Intelligence Legal (Non-Practicing): support intelligence legal frameworks, oversight and compliance in a national security environment.
Examples of Work Graduates May Contribute To
* Conducting legal research for administrative or international law matters
* Supporting legal input for capability acquisition or procurement
* Assisting with legislative or policy development
* Preparing briefs or summaries for senior legal practitioners
* Supporting governance and compliance activities
* Assisting operational law specialists with research and analysis
* Reviewing contracts or agreements with supervision
Where to Learn More About the Recruitment Process
For information on recruitment and application processes, please visit the Australian Government Graduate Program – Legal Stream webpage.
Salary
All successful candidates will commence the Graduate Program on a salary of $81,868 plus 15.4% superannuation.
Upon successful completion of the program, including satisfying all training requirements, you will have the opportunity to progress to the base of the APS Level 5 classification, setting you up for a rewarding career in Defence. Defence’s generous remuneration package, flexibility, and leave benefits contribute to a happy work/life balance.
Location
Roles may be offered in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Duration
The Defence Graduate Program is a 12-month development opportunity designed to launch your career in the Australian Public Service (APS).