Are you part of future Australian Government policy making and program delivery? Can you see yourself working alongside Australia's foremost legal minds, advising on significant national and international matters?
The Attorney-General's Department delivers programs and policies to maintain and improve Australia's law and justice framework, and to facilitate jobs growth through policies that promote fair, productive, flexible and safe workplaces. Through the Australian Government Solicitor, we also provide legal services to the Commonwealth, including legal advice and representation.
We are the central policy and coordinating element of the Attorney-General’s Portfolio. We are structured into five groups:
Our Graduate Program allows you to interact with real clients and key stakeholders to help achieve the Australian Government's policy, program and legal objectives. You will have exposure to and experience a range of challenging and exciting opportunities to develop your career through one of our four streams:
In 12 months, you can:
Our flexible work environment allows you to balance your work and personal responsibilities. We promote a healthy work-life balance, have generous employment conditions and offer a competitive salary. Our workplace embraces technology to support flexible working arrangements.
On successful completion of the program, you will be offered a permanent placement with the department.
(Includes Affirmative Measures Disability and/ or Indigenous recruitment processes)
As a policy and program graduate, you can expect to work on a variety of thought-provoking work, including:
You will participate in rotations across the department, working on policy and programs in areas that may include:
You may also rotate through the department’s corporate areas including human resources, strategy and governance and finance. You may also have the opportunity to experience a rotation in one of our portfolio agencies.
During the graduate program you will participate in development activities including a major project, where you will have an opportunity to present to the department, including our senior executives. You will also contribute to a range of cultural and social activities, including a high profile speaker series and fundraising initiatives. You will receive support from supervisors and access to learning and development activities, including the opportunity to complete further study.
Graduates from all university disciplines are encouraged to apply.
As a policy and program graduate you must:
All policy and program positions are based in Canberra. Financial assistance may be offered where you are relocating from your home state.
Opportunities exist for eligible candidates to apply for additional Policy and Program positions through our affirmative measures: Indigenous and Disability recruitment processes.
The Policy and Program Stream (Affirmative Measures – Indigenous) is open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons only. In addition to the essential requirements of the Policy and Program Stream, you will be need to provide evidence that you are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin.
The Policy and Program Stream (Affirmative Measures – Disability) is open only to people with disability. In addition to the essential requirements of the Policy and Program Stream, you will be need to provide further evidence of disability.
Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) is the Australian Government’s central legal practice and part of the Attorney-General’s Department. AGS helps Commonwealth clients to manage legal issues, navigate new challenges and find solutions which deliver the best outcomes for Australia. We are a self-funded legal practice and compete for our work.
Who we are
AGS IS UNIQUE. AGS is dedicated to the national interest and is a trusted adviser to Government.
AGS IS INNOVATIVE. Drawing on an exceptional depth of experience and expertise, we assist the Australian Government in the development and implementation of solutions to legal issues that have national importance.
AGS IS DIVERSE. With offices in every capital city and a team of 650 staff, including 370 lawyers, we work in more than 40 different areas of law related to government.
Work with the top legal minds
Working with AGS provides the perfect pathway to a dynamic career in Australian law.
The graduate program is a 12-month development opportunity with rotations across our 3 practice areas where you will get the opportunity to work with many of Australia’s best government lawyers, including our 2 in-house Queen’s Counsel.
You will get the opportunity to work with an in-house legal team within a Commonwealth agency and also with a community legal centre/charitable organisation as part of our pro bono program. You will be mentored and will have access to a variety of learning and development activities, including the opportunity to complete your practical legal training to be admitted to practice.
AGS delivers services through three national legal practices:
The practices work together on complex matters that require expertise across several areas of law:
How we make a meaningful contribution to the wider community
AGS understands that while everyone needs help from time-to-time, not everyone can afford quality legal representation. We have an extensive pro bono program, and won the 2019 Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Pro Bono Award.
Our graduates take part in our pro bono program, which has helped many clients both nationally and internationally.
Helping you be the best lawyer you can be
We are a supportive organisation that embraces diversity in all forms. We understand that work is only part of your life and while our workplace can be demanding at times, we also provide access to a range of flexible working options, generous leave entitlements and wellbeing benefits to support your diverse needs throughout your career.
Industrial Relations (IR) legal stream offers career opportunities for talented and motivated law graduates.
As an IR graduate lawyer, you will be in the full range of work undertaken by our legal teams, including in the areas of
You will provide legal advice and services (including in relation to the development of legislation and the conduct of litigation) across the range of the department’s responsibilities.
During your graduate program you will also participate in development activities including a major project, where you will have an opportunity to present to the department, including our senior executives. You will also contribute to a range of cultural and social activities including a high profile speaker series and fundraising initiatives. You will receive support from supervisors and access to learning and development activities, including the opportunity to complete further study.
To be eligible for the IR legal stream you must:
All IR legal positions are based in Canberra. Financial assistance may be offered where you are relocating from your home state.
As an economics graduate you can expect to:
As an economics graduate you will also have the opportunity to work across government with one of the three rotations being in the Department of Education, Skills and Employment where you will see first-hand how government departments work in collaboration to deliver better outcomes for the Australia community.
During the graduate program, you will also participate in development activities including a major project, where you will have an opportunity to present to the department, including our senior executives. You will also contribute to a range of cultural and social activities including a high profile speaker series and fundraising initiatives. You will receive support from supervisors and access to learning and development activities.
As an economics graduate you must:
Do you have what we’re looking for? We want graduates who:
If we offer you position on our program, you will need to:
Our performance expectations explain what we expect from our people. They encourage consistent performance and help us achieve our goals.
Applications open on Thursday 12 March 2020 and close 11.55pm (AEST) Friday 17 April 2020.
As part of your application you will need to provide:
For further information about the application process please review our candidate information guide located on our website.
Our selection process involves:
If you meet the eligibility requirements for one or more of our streams, please press Apply
The Attorney-General's Department is committed to supporting the employment and career development of people with disability. For more information on the RecruitAbility scheme, refer to the Australian Public Service Commission's RecruitAbility Applicants Guide. The RecruitAbility scheme does not apply to the affirmative measures disability recruitment process.
If you are experiencing difficulties lodging your application please contact us by email: HR.Assist@ag.gov.au or call 02 6141 6111 (option #2). We are contactable during business hours 8.30am to 5pm (AEST).
Keep up to date with our recruitment process via our social media.
Graduate Job