(Pictured: First Nations Cadets of 2024 — Maikiira, Xander, Hannah and Emma)
The Community Legal Centres NSW First Nations Cadetship Program offers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students the chance to gain hands-on work experience at community legal centres across New South Wales.
This program helps address the underrepresentation of First Nations peoples in the legal sector, supporting their professional growth while boosting the presence of First Nations people in community legal roles and expanding access to justice across the state.
Open to Aboriginal students in their final two years of study in law, social work, communications, or community development, the cadetship provides practical experience and opportunities for personal and professional development, including training and mentoring.
Cadets complete 90 days of paid work, with structured mentoring, networking, and opportunities to engage with the judiciary, attend Aboriginal court models, and participate in law firm training in Sydney’s CBD.
Applications are open for the CLCNSW First Nations cadetship. We encourage First Nations students to apply: Apply here!
Meet cadets of 2024
Maikiira Barber [coming soon]
Meet graduated cadets
2023
2022
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.
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Community legal centre |
Location |
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Justice and Equity Centre (formerly PIAC) |
Sydney |
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Surry Hills |
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Ability Rights Centre – Intellectual Disability Rights Service |
Sydney |
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Sydney |
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Surry Hills |
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Newcastle |
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Port Macquarie |
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Newcastle |
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Lismore |
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Redfern |
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Surry Hills |
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Sydney |
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Lidcombe |
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Rooty Hill |
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Bankstown |
Cadetship in the media
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First Nations Cadetships aim to boost Indigenous lawyer numbers, Sydney Morning Herald, March 2023
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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.