NSW Department of Communities and Justice

About

On 1 July 2019, the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) brought together the former departments of Family and Community Services (FACS) and Justice. This brings under one roof, NSW government services targeted at achieving safe, just, inclusive and resilient communities.

DCJ focuses on achieving just outcomes for: - Children and young people - Aboriginal people - People with disability - People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds - People experiencing domestic and family violence - Victims of sexual assault - Juvenile offenders - People at high risk of reoffending, and - People experiencing homelessness

What kind of work?

The work of employees is varied, and may include: - Providing resources to service providers - Connecting victims of family and domestic violence to support services - Helping applicants of rental assistance or social housing - Assisting with the oversight of corrective services and Youth Justice centres - Connecting victims of crimes to support services - Legal services including advising the government on law, justice and legal reforms, providing legal, professional and regulatory services, and administering the appointment of Justices of the Peace (JPs) in NSW.

Location

Sydney

Student Opportunities

DCJ offer summer clerkships to students in their penultimate or final year of law school. Clerks are involved in: - Preparing briefing notes for the Attorney General and other Strong Communities cluster Ministers; - Liaising with stakeholders; - Conducting in-depth analysis on proposed Bills or policy reform from other Ministers; - Writing speeches; - Attending meetings; - Working with other Government Departments; and - Conducting research

Applicants must demonstrate interest in, and an understanding of, the work of the Department of Communities and Justice, and experience that would enable you to contribute to the Department.

You can find more information here: https://www.justice.nsw.gov.au/justicepolicy/Pages/ lpclrd/lpclrd_clerkship.aspx

Graduate Opportunities

Graduates can undertake a rotation with the Department of Communities and Justice through the NSW Government Graduate Program, run by the NSW Public Service Commission.

Fun Fact / Recent Project

MERIT DCJ fund the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment program. MERIT is a program available in most Local Courts in New South Wales that provides the opportunity for adult defendants with substance abuse problems to work, on a voluntary basis, towards rehabilitation as part of the bail process. The MERIT program allows defendants to focus on treating their drug or alcohol problem in isolation from legal matters and is focused on rehabilitation and reduced recidivism.