CHAPTER I: GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC SERVICE

Careers in Government & Public Service

Working in the Australian Public Service (APS) or NSW Public Service can be diverse and rewarding. Most government agencies contain a legal department or otherwise offer some form of legal work. Applying for a job or internship in the public service is ideal if you are interested in policy writing, long-term strategic planning, research, litigation or working in-house.

Opportunities for students and graduates

Nearly all government agencies offer a paid graduate program for students who have completed their law degree. Depending on the agency, the program may or may not count towards the requirements of PLT. You should check this before applying.

Graduate programs are typically 12 months in duration, but can range from 10 months to two years. Applications usually open at the beginning of the year, around February or March, for commencement at the start of the following year. Graduate programs are very competitive and agencies receive a large number of applications, so you should expect a multi-stage application process. This may include:

Submitting a cover letter and CV Brief phone interview Assessment centre Psychometric assessment Referee checks Panel or one-on-one interview

You can find more information about how to prepare for the application process at the end of this Guide.

Graduate programs often lead to permanent employment in the public service.

Some agencies also offer internship opportunities for students. These may be paid or unpaid, and may be offered over the Summer/Winter or during the term for course credit. If you are interested in completing an internship in the APS or NSW Public Service, you should look at the myLaw website in addition to agency websites for a list of UNSW-approved internships: https://my.law.unsw.edu.au/current-students/law-action/internships

Temporary Employment Registers Temporary Employment Registers are a common feature in the public service. Signing up for an employment register is like filling out an Expression of Interest form. You fill out a form outlining which areas of work you are interested in and in which cities, and you will be contacted if any job opportunities arise. Typically, the work is short-term or temporary, and can be full-time, part-time or casual. Each agency maintains their own employment register which you can generally find on the Careers section of their website.