UNSW Law encourages students to gain practical experience of the law by offering a range of outstanding internship subjects. Internships give students an opportunity during their studies to ‘trial’ careers in advocacy and policy areas with non-government organisations (NGOs), social justice organisations, and law reform and public interest groups, and to obtain valuable experience as student editors of law publications and journals. Students gain training and practical legal experience and a unique insight into future career paths.
The internship program offers students the opportunity to critically analyse the law, the legal profession and the legal system in discussions with academic supervisors, through seminars, reflective Journals and in presentations.
UNSW Law can organise your internship for you, or you can set up your own internship with an approved organisation of your choice in Australia or overseas.
Many of our students say their internship is a highlight of their time at UNSW Law School. In recent years, our students have undertaken internships with a range of organisations.
Available internships
UNSW Law internships (in-house)
- Andrew & Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law
- AustLII
- Australian Human Rights Institute
- Australian Pro Bono Centre
- Centre for Law, Markets and Regulation
- Cyberspace Law and Policy Community
- Diplomacy Training Program
- Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law
- Indigenous Law Centre
- National Children’s and Youth Law Centre
- The Social Justice Project
UNSW publication internships
- Australian Indigenous Law Review
- Australian Journal of Human Rights
- Human Rights Defender
- Indigenous Law Bulletin
- Journal of Equity
- UNSW Law Journal (Executive)
UNSW Law internships (external host)
- Aboriginal Legal Service
- Administrative Appeals Tribunal
- AFL NSW/ACT
- Amnesty International
- Amy Gillett Foundation
- Arts Law Centre of Australia
- Australian Disputes Centre
- Australian Drug Law Reform Initiative
- Baker & McKenzie Pro Bono
- Cancer Council of NSW
- CHOICE
- Dharriwaa Elders Group
- Edmund Rice Centre
- Environmental Defender’s Office NSW
- Federal Court of Australia
- Financial Planning Association
- Financial Services Institute of Australasia
- Football Federation of Australia
- Human Rights Watch Australia
- International Disability Alliance
- Inspector of Custodial Services
- Justice Action
- Justice Policy, Department of Attorney-General & Justice
- Law Society of NSW
- Legal Services Council
- Liquor + Gaming NSW
- Local Courts – Bankstown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Central, Downing Centre, Liverpool, Parramatta, Sutherland
- Mid North Coast Community Legal Centre
- Mission Australia
- National Australia Bank
- Nature Conservation Council of NSW
- National Association for the Visual Arts
- NSW Attorney-General & Justice – Public Defenders Office
- NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
- NSW Ombudsman
- Office of the Small Business Commissioner
- People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
- Redfern Legal Centre
- Refugee Advice & Casework Service (Aust) Inc.
- Reprieve Australia
- Resolution Institute
- Salvos Legal Humanitarian
- Shopfront
- Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Tranby National Indigenous Adult Education and Training
- UNSW Innovations
- UNSW Legal Office
- Voiceless
- Women in Prison Advocacy Network
- Women NSW (Ministry of Health Internship)
- NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
- NSW Ombudsman
- Office of the Small Business Commissioner
- People with Disability Australia (PWDA)
- Redfern Legal Centre
- Refugee Advice & Casework Service (Aust) Inc.
- Reprieve Australia
- Resolution Institute
- Salvos Legal Humanitarian
- Shopfront
- Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Tranby National Indigenous Adult Education and Training
- UNSW Innovations
- UNSW Legal Office
- Voiceless
- Women in Prison Advocacy Network
- Women NSW (Ministry of Health Internship)
Note: UNSW Law regularly revises and enhances our internship offerings. Internships listed are subject to change. Current students should check with student services and on MyLaw for the latest listing in the year they are applying.
“
I completed an internship at The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre. My internship exposed me to some of the harsh realities of our justice system. It reinforced my reason for studying law: to help those in society who don’t have the means to defend themselves. It was an eye-opening and life-changing experience. My internship clarified that criminal law is my passion and it even opened my mind to the possibility of going to the Bar – an avenue I had never considered before
”
Tahlia Jennings, JD student
“
I completed an internship at the Cancer Council, as I wanted to gain experience in the pro bono legal environment. It was an opportunity to use the skills I was learning in class to help cancer patients and carers access legal and financial advice. It was an extremely rewarding and sometimes challenging experience, speaking with clients in incredibly stressful and emotional situations as a result of cancer.
I have also been actively involved in mooting throughout my degree. Preparing submissions and answering difficult legal questions on the spot is an adrenalin rush and puts your legal knowledge to the test. This year I will travel to The Hague in the Netherlands to represent UNSW Law at the International Criminal Court Moot, competing against 60 other teams from around the world. The opportunities to put theory into practice at UNSW Law have been invaluable.
”
Caitlin Eaton, Arts/Law student
How to apply
For internship application dates and deadlines, current UNSW Law students should visit myLaw or contact Law Student Services for more information.
MyLaw