Attorney-General's Department Graduate Programs

The Attorney-General's Department (AGD) delivers programs and policies to maintain and improve Australia's law and justice framework, and to facilitate jobs growth through policies that promote fair, productive, flexible and safe workplaces. Through the Australian Government Solicitor, we provide legal services to the Commonwealth, including legal advice and representation. We are the central policy and coordinating element of the Attorney-General’s Portfolio, structured into five groups:

• Australian Government Solicitor
• Enabling Services
• Integrity and International
• Industrial Relations
• Legal Services and Families

We value different views, experiences and backgrounds and want to reflect the diversity of the Australian community in our workforce. We recognise that diversity will help develop our staff, our culture, and our business in fulfilling our mission of achieving a just and secure society.

Networks and groups

We provide the opportunity for graduates to form strong networks through activities such as the AGD Social Club, lunchtime sports and a diverse range of networks including the Women's Network, the Green Group, Indigenous Employee Network, Celebrating Ability Network and the Pride Network.

Flexible working arrangements

Our flexible work environment allows you to balance your work and personal responsibilities. We promote a healthy work-life balance, have generous employment conditions and offer a competitive salary. Our workplace embraces technology to support flexible working arrangements.

Our graduate employer ranking

We are proud to be ranked as one of Australia's Top Graduate Employers List (eight years running)!

We have also been placed as one of the Grad Australia Top 100 Graduate Employers!

For the past two years we have also been nominated for the Australian Financial Review and GradConnection Best Law Graduate Employer.

About our program

As a graduate you will work on a variety of interesting and important policy and program issues and legal matters, often in unique and precedent-setting work of importance to Australia. You will interact with real clients, the Australian community, key stakeholders and other government jurisdictions to help achieve the Australian Government's policy, program and legal objectives.

In 12 months, you can:

• gain diverse experience through a number of rotations
• work on a variety of interesting and important policy issues, program delivery and legal matters, often in unique and precedent-setting work of importance to Australia.
• explore potential career paths
• learn from mentors
• build valuable networks with previous graduates, supervisors and senior leaders
• contribute to our workplace culture by managing fundraising activities, cultural activities, social events, and contribute to our network initiatives 
• develop new skills and knowledge through an engaging orientation program and extensive development program
• access further studies, including the opportunity to complete your practical legal training leading to your admission (required for the legal streams)

On successful completion of the program you will be offered a permanent placement with the department.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for engaged and highly capable graduates who:

• have strong academic results
• think critically and are curious
• respond positively to change and feedback, demonstrating flexibility and resilience
• build relationships with clients, stakeholders and peers
• research to find solutions to challenges and apply creativity
• bring and share diverse perspectives
• apply sound judgment
• communicate and engage professionally with people.

In return, you will be supported to become a well-rounded policy and program officer, practising economist or a legal professional with sound skills, knowledge and experience in an area of law.

Our graduate program offers the chance to experience a range of challenging and exciting opportunities to help develop your career in one of our streams:

1. policy and program
2. legal practice (Australian Government Solicitor)
3. economics
4. industrial relations legal

We also run Affirmative Measures bulk recruitment processes for the following streams:

• Affirmative Measures Indigenous:
  
  • Policy and Program
  • Legal Practice (Australian Government Solicitor)
• Affirmative Measures Disability:
  
  • Policy and Program

Winter Intern Program – (Stepping Into)

We partner with the Australian Network on Disability (AND) connecting people with disability with intern opportunities at AGD. Please visit the Australian Network on Disability website to find out more information and to apply for any advertised vacancies.  

Selection Process

We use a range of assessment options and processes to assist us in selecting suitably qualified and experienced applicants.

1. Submit Application and complete e-tray exercise

Complete an application online which includes a copy of your current transcript and responses to the selection questions (max word count). 

Once you have submitted your application and application date has closed, you will receive an email with a link to complete will be asked to complete an online assessment called an e-tray. The e-tray is designed to provide us with insights into your work style and how you operate in a realistic work situation.

2. Complete online assessment and video interview

Applicants progressing to stage two will be asked to complete a further online assessment called Emotify and video interview. Emotify is a game-based online tool that assesses key aspects of emotional intelligence: emotional perception and emotional understanding. 

Applicants will be provided with 7 days to complete both the video interview and online assessment. Your video interview, online assessment and application will be assessed at this stage. 

3. Assessment Centres

Applicants shortlisted to stage three will be invited to attend an assessment Centre. Assessment centres will be held virtually in June. 

4. Referees

Referee checks may be conducted for further confirmation of suitability. 

5. Offers

Offers will be made once all assessment is complete. A merit pool will be created and vacancies will be filled from the merit pool as they arise. All applicants will be notified of the process outcomes. 

How to Apply

Applications must be completed using the online recruitment system through the AGD website. If you are experiencing difficulties lodging your application, please contact our Recruitment Team by email [email protected] or phone (02) 6141 6111. 

Applications open at 9:00am (AEST) on Thursday 18 March 2021.
Applications close at 11:55pm (AEST) on Friday 15 April 2021.

As part of your application you will need to provide:

• a response to the questions in the application form (max. 350 words per question)
• your current academic transcript
• your current resume

Police checks and security clearances

If we offer you a permanent position on the program, you will also need to:

• pass a police record check
• get and keep a security clearance at the appropriate security level.

Applicants offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a police record check and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency at a specified clearance level. Successful applicants must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. 

Employment Screens are undertaken in-house by AGD to determine a candidate’s suitability to work within the department. Employment screens provide people with temporary escorted access to certain non-security classified materials. 

Security clearances are undertaken by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) on behalf of the department. A security clearance indicates an individual’s suitability to have ongoing access to classified information. A condition of employment with the department is the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance. For more information about security clearances you can visit: https://www1.defence.gov.au/security/clearances.

Are you eligible?

Contacts

HR Assist

Email: [email protected]
Call: 02 6141 6111 (option #2)
Outside Australia: +61 2 6141 6111 (option #2)
3–5 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600

Human Resources

Workforce planning and capability
[email protected]

Related websites

Graduate employment page on Australian Government Solicitor website
The Attorney General's Department Graduate Program on Facebook

As a policy and program graduate, you can expect to work on a variety of thought-provoking and challenging work, such as improving the family law system's response to domestic violence, working to better protect children or older Australians from abuse and collaborating with the private sector, states and territories and international partners to improve community safety, legal services and national security.

Placement rotations

Policy and program graduates will participate in rotations across the department, working on policy and programs in areas that may include:

• civil justice
• family law and legal assistance
• criminal justice
• law enforcement
• crime prevention
• national and protective security
• international law
• human rights
• native title
• constitutional law
• protective security and integrity
• industrial relations policy

You may also rotate through our corporate areas including:

• human resources
• strategy and governance
• finance

You may also have the opportunity to experience a rotation in one of our portfolio agencies.

As part of your role you may:

• help to develop and implement legislation, policies and programs
• undertake analysis, research and critical thinking
• prepare written briefs, submissions, reports and ministerial correspondence
• manage events including ministerial and council meetings.

You will also:

• participate in development activities including a major project, which you will present to senior leadership
• contribute to a range of cultural and social activities including a high profile speaker series and fundraising initiatives
• receive ongoing support, coaching and on the job development from supervisors
• have access to learning and development activities, including the opportunity to complete further study.

We invite applications from graduates of all university disciplines including arts, business, commerce, communications, economics, humanities, international studies, law, management and science.

To be eligible for the policy and program stream you must:

• have completed a minimum qualification equivalent to a three year Australian undergraduate degree.
• have completed your undergraduate degree, or postgraduate qualification within the four year period (December 2017 to December 2021).
• have achieved a credit average or above at the time of applying in the qualification you completed within the last four years.

If we offer you a position on the program, you will also need to:

• pass a police record check
• get and keep a security clearance at the appropriate security level.

All policy and program graduate positions are based in Canberra. Financial assistance may be offered where graduates are relocating from their home state.

Opportunities exist for eligible candidates to apply for the graduate program through our affirmative measures: Indigenous and Disability recruitment processes.  

The Affirmative Measures – Indigenous recruitment process is open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons only. In addition to the essential requirements of either the Legal Practice (AGS) or Policy and Program stream you are applying for, you will be need to provide evidence that you are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin. 

The Affirmative Measures – Disability recruitment process is open only to people with disability. In addition to meeting the essential requirements of the Policy and Program stream, you will be need to provide evidence of disability. 

Visit our Graduate profiles to find out more from our most recent graduates.

Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) is the Australian Government’s central legal practice and part of the Attorney-General’s Department. AGS helps Commonwealth clients to manage legal issues, navigate new challenges and find solutions which deliver the best outcomes for Australia. We are a self-funded legal practice and compete for our work.

Who we are

AGS IS UNIQUE. AGS is dedicated to the national interest and is a trusted adviser to Government.

AGS IS INNOVATIVE. Drawing on an exceptional depth of experience and expertise, we assist the Australian Government in the development and implementation of solutions to legal issues that have national importance.

AGS IS DIVERSE. With offices in every capital city and a team of 650 staff, including 370 lawyers, we work in more than 40 different areas of law related to government.

Work with the top legal minds

Working with AGS provides the perfect pathway to a dynamic career in Australian law.

The graduate program is a 12-month development opportunity with rotations across our 3 practice areas where you will get the opportunity to work with many of Australia’s best government lawyers, including our 5 in-house Queen’s Counsel. 

You will get the opportunity to work with an in-house legal team within a Commonwealth agency and also with a community legal centre/charitable organisation as part of our pro bono program. You will be mentored and will have access to a variety of learning and development activities, including the opportunity to complete your practical legal training to be admitted to practice.

AGS delivers services through three national legal practices:

• Commercial (corporate and commercial law)
• Dispute Resolution (dispute resolution and litigation)
• Office of General Counsel (OGC) (government and administrative law).

The practices work together on complex matters that require expertise across several areas of law:

• Public law (Administrative law; FOI, privacy and public interest disclosure; human rights and discrimination; debt recovery)
• Legislative development
• Statutory interpretation
• Corporate and commercial law (general contract law; procurement and tendering; governance and probity; financial services and consumer credit; insurance; IP; media; ICT; insolvency and bankruptcy)
• Property and environment (general property; transactional property; construction and infrastructure; environment)
• Litigation specialisation, including large-scale and sensitive litigation
• Taxation
• Competition and consumer law
• Workplace, industrial relations and compensation (Employment and IR; workers’ compensation; WH&S; compensation, damages and PI)
• Tied work (Constitutional law; Cabinet work; national security; Public International law).

How we make a meaningful contribution to the wider community

AGS understands that while everyone needs help from time-to-time, not everyone can afford quality legal representation. We have an extensive pro bono program, and won the 2019 Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Pro Bono Award. 

Our graduates take part in our pro bono program, which has helped many clients both nationally and internationally.

Helping you be the best lawyer you can be

We are a supportive organisation that embraces diversity in all forms. We understand that work is only part of your life and while our workplace can be demanding at times, we also provide access to a range of flexible working options, generous leave entitlements and wellbeing benefits to support your diverse needs throughout your career.

To be eligible for the Legal Practice stream you must:

• have completed a minimum of a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor and be eligible to enrol in a practical legal training course that leads to admission in Australia, be eligible to be admitted in Australia, or be admitted to practice in Australia.
• have completed your qualifications within the four year period between December 2017 to December 2021.
• have achieved a distinction average or above at the time of applying, for the relevant qualifications (law degree) completed in the last four years.

Opportunities exist for eligible candidates to apply for the graduate program through our affirmative measures: Indigenous recruitment process.  

The Affirmative Measures – Indigenous recruitment process is open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons only. In addition to the essential requirements of either the Legal Practice (AGS) or Policy and Program stream you are applying for, you will be need to provide evidence that you are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin.

Industrial Relations (IR) legal stream offers career opportunities for talented and motivated law graduates.

As an IR graduate lawyer, you will take part in the full range of work undertaken by our legal teams, including in the areas of:

• government and administrative law 
• legislation development (including drafting of legislative instruments) and litigation 
• workplace relations law 
• workers’ compensation and work health and safety law

You will provide legal advice and services (including in relation to the development of legislation and the conduct of litigation) across the range of the department’s responsibilities.

During your graduate program you will also participate in development activities including a major project, where you will have an opportunity to present to the department, including our senior executives. You will also contribute to a range of cultural and social activities including a high profile speaker series and fundraising initiatives. You will receive support from supervisors and access to learning and development activities, including the opportunity to complete further study.

To be eligible for the IR legal stream you must:

• You must have completed a minimum of a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor and be eligible to enrol in a practical legal training course that leads to admission in Australia, be eligible to be admitted in Australia, or be admitted to practice in Australia.
• You must have completed your qualifications within the four year period between December 2017 to December 2021.
• You must have achieved a distinction average or above at the time of applying, for the relevant qualifications (law degree).All IR legal positions are based in Canberra. Financial assistance may be offered where you are relocating from your home state.

As an economics graduate you can expect to:

• Examine economic issues relating to the labour market and industrial relations, and provide analysis and advice on topics including wages growth, minimum wages, methods of setting pay, trends in enterprise bargaining, forms of work, productivity, and industrial disputation.
• Provide briefings to senior leaders and ministers on key trends in economic data.  
• Contribute to the Australian Government’s submission to the Annual Wage Review, the process in which minimum wages are set in Australia.
• Contribute to industrial relations policy development through the provision of economic and labour market evidence and data.
• Conduct research and statistical analysis (including econometric modelling) on industrial relations issues in the domestic and international contexts. e

You will also

• participate in development activities including a major project, which you will present to senior leadership
• contribute to a range of cultural and social activities including a high profile speaker series and fundraising initiatives
• receive support from supervisors
• get access to learning and development activities, including the opportunity to complete further study

As an economics graduate you will also have the opportunity to work across government with one of your rotations being in the Department of Education, Skills and Employment where you will see first-hand how government departments work in collaboration to deliver better outcomes for the Australia community.

To be eligible as an economics graduate you must: 

• have completed a minimum qualification equivalent to a three year Australian undergraduate degree relevant to Economics or related fields.
• have completed (or will be completing) your undergraduate degree, or postgraduate qualification within the four year period (December 2017 to December 2021).
• have achieved a credit average or above at the time of applying, in the qualification you completed within the last four years.

If we offer you a position on the program, you will also need to:

• pass a police record check
• get and keep a security clearance at the appropriate security level.

All economics graduate positions are based in Canberra. Financial assistance may be offered where graduates are relocating from their home state.

We are committed to maintaining a culture that values, respects and fosters inclusiveness. We recognise that to be a high performing department and to reflect the diversity of the Australians we serve, we need to have a diverse workforce with diverse experiences and points of view. Our people are critical to the department’s success, and as such, our culture is one where everyone feels valued for the differences they bring. 

You will have opportunities to form strong networks through activities including the AGD Social Club, lunchtime sports and employee diversity networks including:

• PRIDE in AGD
• Celebrating Ability Network
• Indigenous Employee Network
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Network (CALD)
• Women’s Network

PRIDE in AGD (Promoting Respect, Inclusion, Diversity and Equality) was established in 2015. The network’s purpose is to increase awareness and understanding of LGBTIQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and related communities) issues, and support the development and implementation of LGBTIQ+ and related workplace diversity initiatives within the department.

PRIDE in AGD creates an inclusive and friendly workplace through social and informative events and providing advice to the wider department.

We collaborate across our states to support offices to encourage all employees to participate in activities that support equal opportunities.

The Women's Network hosts a range of events to raise awareness and funds for causes that promote the interests of women locally, nationally and internationally, as well as networking events and opportunities (e.g conference attendance) for members of the network.

We are committed to building a culture that values flexibility and fosters inclusion.

Our focus is on ensuring all employees have access to inclusive and flexible work practices and that their managers, our structures, workplace conditions and systems support professional and personal circumstances. The department supports inclusive practices through:

• The Celebrating Ability Network (CAN): A network for employees committed to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace for all. We seek to represent individuals living with or supporting someone living with a disability and to increase the profile of these groups within the department. The CAN members include employees with a disability, caring responsibilities and allies passionate about helping the department become more disability aware.
• The Disability and Mental Health Action Plan (DMAP): The plan aims to address barriers that might prevent an employee or a stakeholder with a disability or long term medical or mental health condition, from fully participating in AGD’s workplace. The plan sets out meaningful actions and measurable targets, focussing on the following key areas:
  
  • culture of inclusion
  • accessibility (including physical access for external stakeholders)
  • recruitment, retention and development of people with disability
  • reporting and accountability.
• Reasonable adjustments are available to support and enable employees with disability, and carers of people with disability to perform their role to their full potential ensuring they are able to participate fully in the workplace. Reasonable adjustments can be permanent or temporary and can be designed to respond to all forms of disability, including mental health conditions. Employees can also record adjustments using AGD’s Reasonable Adjustment Passport.
• Training and activities: We aim to create a culture of inclusion through various events, including mental health week. The Graduate Fundraising Committee hosts a series of events during mental health week for all employees. Training is regularly offered to managers and employees to raise awareness of disability and mental health in the workplace.

AGD’s commitment to closing the gap is reflected in our Indigenous ‘Reconciliation Action Plan’.

AGD’s Indigenous Employee Network (IEN) provides support to its members and offers consolidated advice to the department on workplace issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. The IEN partners with other parts of the department to ensure recruitment, retention and career development opportunities are provided to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees within the department.

AGD recognises and supports Indigenous Australians through annual events including:

• NAIDOC Week events
• Eddie Mabo Day
• National Reconciliation Week
• Coming of the Light 
• International Day of the World's Indigenous People 
• National Sorry Day
• Close the Gap Day 
• The Anniversary of the Apology, and 
• Australia Day – known to many Indigenous people as Survival Day.

AGS, through its pro bono program, provides free legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities requiring legal services.

We also support indigenous employment opportunities managed by other APS agencies including the:

• Indigenous Australian Government Development Program (IAGDP),
• Indigenous Intern Program, and
• 2022 Indigenous Graduate Pathway Program.