Australian Government Solicitor Clerkship Application

Central government legal service serving the national interest through legal excellence

Program Overview

- Criterion: Australian citizenship - Criterion: LLB or JD completed within 5 years of application - Criterion: Admitted or willing to complete PLT - Criterion: Strong interest in government legal practice - Mentoring: Mentoring from senior government lawyers - Mentoring: Access to experienced practitioners across practice groups - Development: Broad L&D program - Development: 12-week integrated pro bono placement (1 day/week) - Development: Exposure to multiple Commonwealth agencies - Pathway: 3 rotations across AGS practice groups - Pathway: 1 client outpost placement at Commonwealth agency - Pathway: Graduate entry via APS Jobs Legal Stream

Locations

  • NSW
  • VIC
  • QLD

Firm Values

  • - Identity: Central government legal service with ~350 lawyers across all Australian capital cities
  • - Identity: Part of Attorney-General's Department serving national interest since federation
  • - Identity: Recognised centre of expertise in complex Commonwealth legal matters
  • - Values: Integrity in all legal counsel and representation
  • - Values: Impartiality across government clients and matters
  • - Values: Accountability to the public interest
  • - Values: Respect for colleagues and stakeholders
  • - Values: Excellence in legal practice and outcomes
  • - Culture: High professional standards and strong work ethic
  • - Culture: Legal practice discipline combined with commercial acumen
  • - Culture: Collaborative approach across Australian Public Service
  • - Differentiator: Specialises in 40+ areas of government law
  • - Differentiator: Never advises against Commonwealth interests

Awards & Recognition

  • - Award: Pro Bono Program of the Year 2019 (Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards)
  • - Recognition: Achieved and exceeded 2024–25 National Pro Bono Target: 19,082 hours (target: 17,640)
  • - Recognition: Recognised by Attorney-General's Department as centre of excellence for government law

Community & Pro Bono

- Program: Darwin Program (rolling 6-month placements with temporary relocation) - Program: Graduate Placement Program (lawyers placed with community legal centres and public interest organisations) - Program: International Legal Assistance (support to government lawyers in Asia-Pacific region) - Focus: Community legal services and public interest law - Focus: Access to justice - Initiative: Australian Pro Bono Centre Aspirational Target (signed 2008) - Impact: 19,082 pro bono hours delivered in 2024–25, exceeding National Pro Bono Target of 17,640 hours - Partner: Arts Law Centre of Australia - Partner: Canberra Community Law - Partner: Consumer Action Law Centre - Partner: Darwin Community Legal Service

Australian Government Solicitor website

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