(Pictured: First Nations Cadets of 2024 — Xander, Hannah and Emma)
Our First Nations Cadetship Program aims to address the underrepresentation of First Nations peoples in the legal sector, support students’ professional development, boost the representation of First Nations people in the community legal sector, and increase access to justice in New South Wales.
It is open to Aboriginal students in the final two years of a degree in law, social work, communications, or community development. Cadets gain practical experience that complements their study, and they participate in a range of professionally and socially meaningful work, as well as training and mentoring opportunities.
The cadetship is for 90 days of paid work. It includes structured mentoring and networking opportunities, including opportunities to meet and greet members of the judiciary, attend Aboriginal court models, participate in training at law firms in the Sydney CBD, and receive mentoring.
After a successful first year, NSW Attorney-General Mark Speakman extended funding to enable another 12 students to participate in the First Nations Cadetship Program.
Rolling applications are open for the CLCNSW First Nations cadetship. We encourage First Nations students to apply:
Meet graduated cadets
2022 CLCNSW First Nations Cadets
Where can cadets work?
Eligible community legal centres must have an active Reconciliation Action Plan (or similar) and already employ at least one First Nations staff member who can provide cadets with mentoring support. Community Legal Centres NSW employs one part-time Aboriginal staff member, First Nations Cadetship Administrator Bobbi Murray, to support the scheme. Cadets receive training and mentoring from the Community Legal Centres NSW Aboriginal Advisory Group.
Community legal centre |
Location |
Justice and Equity Centre (formerly PIAC) |
Sydney |
Surry Hills |
|
Ability Rights Centre – Intellectual Disability Rights Service |
Sydney |
Sydney |
|
Surry Hills |
|
Newcastle |
|
Port Macquarie |
|
Newcastle |
|
Lismore |
|
Redfern |
|
Surry Hills |
|
Sydney |
|
Lidcombe |
|
Rooty Hill |
|
Bankstown |
Cadetship in the media
-
First Nations Cadetships aim to boost Indigenous lawyer numbers, Sydney Morning Herald, March 2023
-
First Nations Cadetship Program will support more legal careers, Law Society Journal, March 2023
- New scholarship program for Indigenous students, Sydney Morning Herald, July 2021
Background
Find more information on the CLCNSW First Nations cadetship program here.