Aboriginal Identified - Legal Cadetship

Anticipated Cadetship Start Date: February 2027

Application Closing Date: Sunday 24 May 2026 at 11.59pm

This vacancy is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identified recruitment under Part 5, clause 26 of the Government Sector Employment (General) Rules 2014.

Why Legal Aid? 

“Your Aboriginal identity can reshape justice and Legal Aid is where that change begins.”


Legal Aid NSW is a place where your culture and your future are valued. We work with many Aboriginal clients across NSW, and your cultural knowledge and voice make our work stronger and more meaningful. You’ll learn from supportive staff, build real legal skills, and work in a team that’s committed to cultural safety and justice for community.

This cadetship is part of the Judge Bob Bellear (JBB) Aboriginal Legal Career Pathways Program,  which supports Aboriginal people to build strong careers in law. Starting as a Legal Cadet gives you a solid foundation and opens the door to other JBB opportunities, including:

• • • Paid Practical Legal Training (PLT) placements
    • The JBB Graduate Program
    • Other roles across Legal Aid NSW

It’s a pathway with purpose, helping you grow your career while staying connected to culture and community.

About the role

“You walk into this role with your ancestors behind you — and a future you’re shaping for your mob ahead of you.”

As a Legal Cadet, you’ll step into work that carries meaning for you, your family, and your community. You’ll work with solicitors in Criminal, Family or Civil law, contributing to real matters that shape people’s lives.

With 28 offices across metropolitan, regional and remote NSW, you can choose the location that fits your life, your community, and where you feel most grounded.

This role is made to support your journey. With up to 60 days of flexible and paid placement, you can keep your focus on your studies while growing into the strong, capable legal professional you’re becoming. You won’t walk alone. You’ll be supported by your team, guided by the Aboriginal Services Branch, and surrounded by people who see the power in your Aboriginal identity.

Please view the information sheet [insert link] to learn more about the cadetship.

About you

“You are the future your mob has been building toward - strong, capable, and ready to rise.”

You are a law student who is motivated, eager to learn, and committed to developing practical legal skills in a social justice environment. You communicate respectfully, work collaboratively, and can adapt to changing priorities while following relevant policies and procedures. Above all, you are driven by a desire to support clients and contribute positively to the work of Legal Aid NSW.

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the diverse histories, social structures, cultural practices and contemporary issues of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is highly desirable.

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. 

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.

For application support or recruitment adjustments please contact the Talent Acquisition Team at erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au or 02 9134 9347. 

To learn more about Recruitment and Workplace Adjustments please visit Adjustments for individual needs | I Work for NSW. 

Other benefits of working with us

• • • You will have access to training, development and mentoring opportunities.
    • We are an accredited Flex Ready certified employer and are recognised as leaders in the area of flexible work. Most of our staff work flexibly - for example, from home some of the time or in a way that helps them balance family and work life.
    • Find out more at Working at Legal Aid NSW  

Essential requirements of the role

You must:

• • • Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
    • Be willing to do a Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check
    • Be studying Law in university

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.

How to apply

You must submit your application online. Applications received late or by email, will not be accepted. Please make sure your application is complete, and that you have answered all questions before submitting.   Your application must include:

• • your resume (no more than 5 pages)
    
    
  • cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please respond to the following 2 targeted questions:
    
    • • Target Question 1 – Tell us about your knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, community strengths and/or some of the issues affecting mob today.
      • Target Question 2 – What makes you the right person for this Legal Cadet role?
        

We may use this recruitment to create a talent pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.

Want to yarn about the role?

• • • If you have questions or just want to talk it through, feel free to contact the Hiring Manager – Jade Mcdonald, Project Officer on (02) 9219 5623 or email: jade.mcdonald@legalaid.nsw.gov.au (Jade is a proud Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander woman from the xxx mob)
    • You can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch to arrange a confidential conversation about any questions you may have too.
    • The Role Description sets out the responsibilities of the role.
    • The focus capabilities and key accountabilities in the role description indicate what is expected at that level. Being familiar with these will help you understand what the panel will be looking for in the successful candidate. 
    • Applying for a Role
    • Working at Legal Aid NSW

Closing Date: Sunday 24 May 2026 at 11.59pm

“Step forward with courage — the path you take now will echo through generations.”

Legal Aid NSW acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.