UNSW Law Society Inc.
A Guide to Local Public Interest Careers Opportunities
Legal Opportunities
1
KINGSFORD LEGAL CENTRE
Key points: KLC is a UNSW-based community legal centre servicing the Randwick and Botany Bay areas. How to get involved: Students undertake client interviewing at KLC as part of the Lawyers, Ethics and Justice course (LAWS1230). Students can also participate in longer clinic programs as an elective. Clinics run in T1 and T3 and cover community law, employment law or family law. More info: https://www.law.unsw.edu.au/students/clinics/kingsfordlegal-centre
2
YOUTH LAW AUSTRALIA
Key points: YLA is a community legal centre that provides free legal advice to young people under the age of 25. Common areas of advice include unfair dismissal, sex, cyber-bullying and defamation. This is an online service based in UNSW. How to get involved: Opportunities to be a Legal Assistant are widely advertised throughout the law building when they are available. You can email YLA at admin@yla.org.au. They require a commitment of at least one semester. More info: https://yla.org.au/
3
STUDENT LEGAL EDUCATION GROUP (SLEG)
Key points: The Student Legal Education Group aims to improve access to justice by providing minority disadvantaged groups with basic legal knowledge and understanding their rights. Student presenters attend high schools and run a 2-3 hour module on human rights, police powers, consumer rights, public law, employment law or mooting. How to get involved: Available positions are advertised online and include presenter and coordinator roles. Requires commitment throughout T1, T2 and T3. More info: https://student.unsw.edu.au/cocurricular/student-legaleducation-group
4
UNSW LEGAL CLINICS
Key points: Clinics provide students with the opportunity to experience legal practice under intensive supervision. They are available in a range of areas and can be undertaken as an elective at UNSW. How to get involved: Clinics run each term, with applications opening a few months in advance. You must have completed 78uoc of LAWS courses or 72uoc of JURD courses to be eligible to apply. More info: https://www.law.unsw.edu.au/students/student-experience/clinics Refer to the UNSW Handbook for more information on each clinic and the prerequisites required. Human Rights Clinic The Human Rights Clinic allows students to work on cutting-edge human rights cases and projects that focus on advancing the rights of vulnerable persons in Australia and internationally. Runs in T2 and T3. Land and Environment Court Clinic The Land and Environment Court Clinic is an experiential learning program where students will put their legal skills and knowledge to use and gain practical experience in environmental, development, building and planning disputes. Runs in T1. Police Powers Clinic The Police Powers Clinic is an experiential learning program located in Redfern Legal Centre, an independent, non-profit community centre dedicated to promoting social justice and human rights. Runs in T1, 2 and 3. The Social Impact Hub In this course, students will use their legal and business skills and knowledge and will gain practical experience in different areas of social impact.
Legal Opportunities
5
UNSW LEGAL INTERNSHIPS
Key points: UNSW offers in-house external and publications internships. Organisations involved include the Andrew and Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law, Indigenous Law Centre and The Social Justice Project. Publications include the Australian Indigenous Law Review, Australian Journal of Human Rights, Human Rights Defender and the Indigenous Law Bulletin. How to get involved: See application dates through the mylaw website: https://my.law.unsw.edu.au/current-students/law-action/internships. Internships are completed as an elective. You can also complete internships that are not offered through UNSW for course credit. More info: https://www.law.unsw.edu.au/students/student-experience/ internships
6
UNSW LAW JOURNAL EDITORIAL BOARD
Key points: The UNSW Law Journal Board is responsible for the management and operation of the Journal. How to get involved: Applications to the Editorial Board regularly appear on the UNSW Law Journal website. Applicants must have at least one academic year left to complete at the time of applying. For enquiries regarding the application process, send an email to law.journal@unsw.edu.au. More info: http://www.unswlawjournal.unsw.edu.au
7
COURT OF CONSCIENCE
Key points: Court of Conscience is UNSW Law Society’s premier social justice publication. A new issue is released near the end of each year (T3). How to get involved: To get involved in the production of the publication, or to submit an article, send your expression of interest to courtofconscience@unswlawsoc.org. More info: https://www.facebook.com/CourtOfConscience/
8
RESEARCH ASSISTANT (UNSW LAW)
Key points: UNSW Law offers students the opportunity to experience working in diverse organisations, programs and think tanks. They present an opportunity for students to experience law in action and to gain valuable work experience and knowledge outside of the classroom. How to get involved: Become a research assistant at one of UNSW Law’s many partner centres, each with its own available roles and application dates. These opportunities may also appear on the UNSW Law Jobs Board, which can be found at https://my.law.unsw.edu.au/ careers/jobs-board. More info: https://www.law.unsw.edu.au/research/centres-andinstitutes
9
REFUGEE ADVICE AND CASEWORK SERVICE (RACS)
Key points: With its head office in Randwick, RACS provides support for refugees and asylum seekers. Law students in their second year or above can apply to become a legal volunteer. Volunteers must commit to working at least one day a week for a minimum of three months. How to get involved: To become a legal volunteer, send an email including your CV and cover letter to racsvolunteer@racs.org.au. More info: https://www.racs.org.au
10
NSW HUMANITARIAN HUB
Key points: The Hub has a broad network of volunteers who are equipped to help out in programs oriented towards refugees and asylum seekers. How to get involved: Visit the NSW Humanitarian Hub website, enter your details and sign up for training events. Volunteering at the NSW Humanitarian Hub requires a NSW Working With Children Check (WWCC) before commencing. More info: https://www.nswhumanitarianhub.org.au
Legal Opportunities
11
AUSTRALIAN PRO BONO CENTRE
Key points: The Australian Pro Bono Centre focuses on providing resources and assisting the facilitation of pro bono legal services. How to get involved: The Australian Pro Bono Centre accepts interns throughout the year. Students can apply to become an intern through UNSW Law’s Experiential Learning Internship Program. Other volunteer and paid opportunities appear on the website. More info: https://www.probonocentre.org.au
12
GRATA FUND
Key points: The Grata Fund comprises a community of people working to make the courts more accessible to all Australians by funding public interest litigation. How to get involved: Students can become an intern at the Grata Fund. Other opportunities to get involved appear on the website. If you believe you have relevant skills and experience, send an email to info@gratafund.org.au. More info: https://www.gratafund.org.au
Non-Legal Social Justice Opportunities
1
OZHARVEST
Key points: OzHarvest is Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, collecting quality excess food from commercial outlets and delivering it directly to more than 1300 charities supporting people in need across the country. UNSW has previously collaborated with OzHarvest through the OzHarvest Hackathon, and there is an OzHarvest market in Kensington. How to get involved: Volunteer opportunities include fundraising and awareness-raising at stalls, offering administrative help, driving food trucks and delivering educational programs. More info: https://www.ozharvest.org/give-a-little-love/donate-time/
2
SALVATION ARMY (EASTERN BEACHES)
Key points: The Salvation Army is a Chrsitan charity that helps support people who are struggling with homelessness, addiction, disadvantage or family crisis. How to get involved: You can apply to volunteer at specific Salvos clothing stores or service providers, such as aged care and youth support services. The closest Salvos store to UNSW is in Maroubra. More info: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/
3
THE DELI WOMEN & CHILDREN’S CENTRE
Key points: The Deli Women and Children’s Centre is a not-for-profit servicing the Randwick and Botany area. They advocate to stop violence against women and provide children’s support services. They also run activities such as parenting groups and domestic violent support groups. How to get involved: When volunteering opportunities arise, they are advertised on NSW Volunteering: https://makeadifference.volunteering.nsw.gov.au/volunteering-organisations/5659/the-deli-women-andchildrens-centre More info: http://www.thedeli.org.au/
Non-Legal Social Justice Opportunities
4
TED NOFFS FOUNDATION
Key points: The Ted Noffs Foundation provides treatment and assistance to young people with alcohol and drug related problems, as well as those struggling with their mental health. They have active volunteers in op shops, offices and workshops. How to get involved: To volunteer, submit an expression of interest online. Paid opportunities are regularly posted on the website. These will be listed as they become available. More info: https://noffs.org.au
5
ARC @ UNSW
Key points: Arc - UNSW Student Life is UNSW’s student-run organisation which facilitates the operation of clubs and volunteering organisations at UNSW. How to get involved: There are many volunteering opportunities offered by Arc. Some of these include opportunities include Justice of the Peace League (check and certify documents), Tax Help (help fellow UNSW students with taxes), Walama Muru (connect with members of the Indigenous Australian community) and Wellness Warriors (promote student wellbeing). Students will be awarded with AHEGS accreditation upon completing 20 hours of volunteering. Application periods are available on the Arc website and differ depending on each program. More info: https://www.arc.unsw.edu.au/volunteering
6
ASPIRE
Key points: ASPIRE is a UNSW-based outreach program which works in communities with high numbers of disadvantaged students, or communities where the number of students that go to university is low. How to get involved: Current UNSW students can apply online to become an ASPIRE Ambassador. ASPIRE Ambassadors are volunteers involved in outreach activities both on and off-campus. Ambassadors gain AHEGS accreditation after completing 20 hours of volunteering. Volunteering with ASPIRE requires a NSW Working With Children Check (WWCC) before commencing. More info: http://www.aspire.unsw.edu.au
UNSW Law Society Inc. http://www.unswlawsoc.org OTHER LINKS: UNSW Law Society Public Interest Careers Guide 2019/2020
https://issuu.com/unswlawsociety/docs/pic_guide_final_19-20?fbclid=IwAR0LkZp1qjL19SAiCKiuWqAO533KcHcZ0CcO98vAXacuvRbqbGhgw8s8z0w
Australian Law Students’Association (ALSA) Careers Guide 2019-2020
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55861728e4b0403b40cdba08/t/5dd6465ed168ef7c6a977f9f/1574324132999/Careers+Guide+2019.pdf
Google Calendar for Public Interest Careers Opportunities
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/b/1?cid=dW5zd2xhd3NvYy5vcmdfaTdhaXJnbGplOGZzMjV2b29wOTNtajc5cDBAZ3JvdXAuY2FsZW5kYXIuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbQ
Database for Public Interest Careers Opportunities
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17X_i5T3q_DmurN1tD3uj617auklrQZh8jeXejDpIVF4/edit?usp=sharing