2025 Graduate Program - Legal Stream

"I was drawn to the DEWR Legal Graduate Program due to the fantastic culture of the department’s Legal Division. The Division strongly supports the learning and development of staff which results in a very supportive and open-minded working environment. During my time in the program, I have been exposed to a diverse range of legal work which has allowed me to develop great skills as a young lawyer." – Clare, Legal Graduate, Legal and Assurance Division (2022)

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) legal area is a career pathway for talented and motivated law graduates. Applications are now open and we want to hear from you. 

DEWR enables access to quality skills, training, and employment to support Australians find secure work in fair, productive and safe workplaces. This is our purpose.

Legal graduates will have the opportunity to work on a broad range of legal work in an Australian Government department and gain exposure to Australian Government policies and programs.

Our speciality legal stream graduates will undertake a holistic work program within the legal practice to gain skills and experience. Legal graduates will also have access to a specific legal blended learning program offering a combination of structured training and on the job experience. Support may also be offered towards completion of a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and admission as a Legal Practitioner if required.

The department’s in-house legal practice offers a wide range of services. Our lawyers provide legal advice across the range of the department’s responsibilities (including in relation to the development of legislation and the conduct of litigation).

Graduates are involved in the full range of work undertaken by our legal teams. Areas include government and administrative law, corporate and commercial law, intellectual property, litigation (including some advocacy work), social security, information law and legislation development.

What our legal graduates do

The department’s in-house legal practice offers a wide range of services. Our lawyers provide legal advice across the range of the department’s responsibilities (including in relation to the development of legislation and the conduct of litigation).

Legal graduates have the opportunity to rotate through various legal teams in the Legal and Assurance Division and the Workplace Relations Legal Division. Legal graduates are involved in the full range of work undertaken by our legal teams. Areas include:

• government and administrative law
• corporate and commercial law
• intellectual property
• litigation (including some advocacy work)
• social security
• information law
• workplace relations law
• workers’ compensation and work health and safety law
• legislation development (including drafting of legislative instruments).

"Working as a legal graduate in the Workplace Legal Division, particularly during legislation delivery projects, has been a great experience and opportunity to start in the APS as a government lawyer. The workplace culture is wonderful, and the legal work and analysis is varied and always engaging. Be it through working directly on the Fair Work Act’s framework of employee and employer relations, or navigating and coordinating Australia’s harmonised WHS scheme and international obligations, this is work that is consequential to the lives of Australian, making it also a very humbling and purposeful place to work in." – Louy, Workplace Relations Legal Graduate (2023)  

Who we are Looking For

We offer career opportunities for highly talented and motivated law graduates. We are looking for graduates who have:

• completed a Bachelor of Laws from an Australian university or will have completed a Bachelor of Laws from an Australian university by the commencement of the graduate program.
• a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) or who are eligible and committed to completing the qualification and gaining admission as a Legal Practitioner. The department supports its legal graduates to complete their GDLP and gain admission if they have not already done so.
• a strong academic record.

Additionally, graduates should:

• have excellent legal and analytical capabilities
• have outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
• have personal drive and enthusiasm
• show initiative and flexibility
• possess leadership qualities.

Our Program

As a DEWR Graduate, you will be exposed to many facets of our portfolio as you build your capability during the Program.

Being part of a graduate cohort is a great way for you to transition from education to employment. We know first-hand the significance of this milestone and you'll find our graduate program connects you to friendly, experienced professionals who will help you apply your skills and knowledge as you start your career.

As a DEWR Graduate you will experience:

• a holistic view of working in a government agency through two allocated work placements,
• a formal learning and development program.
• on-the-job experience and the opportunity to work with and learn from subject matter experts.
• a range of formal and on-the-job training activities designed to provide you with the tools to develop as an APS officer,
• working in a supportive, inclusive and flexible working environment, and
• various opportunities to be involved in a wide range of networks, social and fundraising events.

The DEWR Graduate program also offers:

• relocation assistance to move to Canberra
• permanent ongoing employment in the Australian Public Service,
• career progression from APS Level 3.1 may advance to the APS5 position upon successful completion of the Program. 
• support from a buddy/alumni
• an Employee Assistance Program for wellbeing and career support,
• dedicated buddy and supervisor
• a dedicated Graduate Sponsor passionate about seeing you thrive.

Positions are primarily located in Canberra. 

Secure jobs are vital—driving future economic growth and providing people with certainty. We focus on connecting Australians who are starting, advancing, or changing their career with the relevant skills, knowledge, and experience to gain or regain employment.

We do this by actively filling skill gaps to support Australia's economic growth by identifying industries with skill shortages, including emerging industries fundamental to the prosperity of individuals, businesses, and our nation.

Our work makes a difference to the lives of all Australians, and we want you to be part of it.

We draw on the best available research, evidence and data and we work collaboratively with industry, stakeholders and state and territory governments to deliver outcomes. 

Not only are we looking for strategic, fresh-thinking, innovative and high performing graduates, but also, we’re looking for graduates that are enthusiastic, motivated and open to learning. Additionally, flexibility and interpersonal skills are key attributes that will help you be successful in your graduate year and beyond as you apply your degree in ways you never imagined! 

How to apply

We are a participating agency in the Australian Government Graduate Program Legal Stream which is part of the Australian Government Graduate Program (AGGP). Applications for the AGGP streams will open 4 March 2024

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].