14 Law Internships for Undergraduates in Sydney
Internships help college students bridge the gap between classroom theory and the reality of a job. By working in a professional environment, you get to test a career path and gain practical experience. When future employers see that you've already navigated a workplace, it gives you an edge over other candidates.
Why should I do a law internship as an undergraduate?
Law internships allow you to contribute to tasks at law firms, community legal centres, courts, or in-house legal teams. They allow you to apply classroom concepts in legal settings, showing you how statutes, precedent, and procedure operate day to day. It strengthens your CV by demonstrating initiative, work experience, and familiarity with legal workflows, qualities that employers, clerkship panels, and postgraduate programs value. You’ll likely produce tangible outputs (research memos, briefs, client summaries) that you can reference in applications, and working with solicitors or judges can lead to strong references and mentoring. These experiences help you build concrete skills in legal research, drafting, client communication, and case management, as well as professional habits like teamwork, confidentiality, and courtroom etiquette.
If you are based in Sydney and interested in a law career, we’ve listed 14 law internships for undergraduates in Sydney below to help you get started.
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Costs vary depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25% acceptance; 70–100 students per session
Dates: Year-round cohorts, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduate and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week online setup that pairs you with real startups built by people from places like Harvard and Google. You can choose from topics like AI, software engineering, finance, healthcare, media, and environmental science. Each week, you will meet with your company coach, plan out a real project, build actual work like a market report or code, and present your final results to the team. The unique part is that you work for top startup leaders and receive guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach. By the end, you learn clear communication, time management, and hands-on problem-solving skills for your future jobs. Apply now!
2. Allens First Nations Legal Internship Program
Location: Allens Sydney office, Sydney, NSW
Stipend: Paid, amount depends on firm policies and employment terms
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 8–10 students per year
Dates: February 2–20
Application Deadline: November 9
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and are currently studying a law degree
The Allens First Nations Legal Internship Program allows you to work alongside experienced lawyers on real commercial legal matters and community projects. You’ll participate in a personalized induction and work within practice groups on legal research, drafting, client support, and attending internal seminars. Hosted mentoring and coaching from both junior and senior lawyers helps you navigate the legal workplace and deepen your understanding of legal careers, including insights into clerkship recruitment and day-to-day firm life. The program also incorporates opportunities for pro bono work and participation in broader firm activities, helping you build a professional network.
3. Clayton Utz Sydney Seasonal Clerkship Program
Location: Sydney, Australia
Stipend: Usually, AUD $80,000 - $85,000 per year (Paid pro rata for the duration of the clerkship)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 15–35 students
Dates: November 23 – February 5
Application Deadline: July 12
Eligibility: Penultimate-year law students (LLB or JD) with strong grades and full working rights
The Clayton Utz Sydney Summer Clerkship is a program that brings you into the real world of commercial and corporate law. During your time there, you will learn about different legal topics like business deals, resolving arguments, and doing free pro bono legal work for the community. Throughout the summer, you will write legal documents, research laws, go to client meetings, and watch experienced partners work. You also get an associate "buddy" to guide you and access to special national training classes. By the end of the job, you will learn skills like understanding business needs, writing clearly, and talking professionally in a real workplace.
4. King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) Sydney Summer Clerkship
Location: Sydney, Australia
Stipend: Pro-rata salary based on ~AUD $80,000 - $90,000 per year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 30–50 clerks
Dates: November to early February
Application Deadline: July 12
Eligibility: Penultimate or final-year law students at an Australian or New Zealand university with unrestricted work rights in Australia
The King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) Sydney Summer Clerkship puts you right into the daily work of a major international corporate law firm. During the program, you will learn about business topics like corporate finance, buying and selling companies, and settling legal disputes. You will write legal summaries, research past cases, sit in on client meetings, and take part in training workshops. The program enables you to work directly with senior partners on big, international deals instead of just watching from the sidelines. By the end, you will learn clear communication, business awareness, and hands-on problem-solving skills to help you succeed in your future job.
5. Herbert Smith Freehills Sydney Vacation Clerkship Program
Location: Sydney, Australia
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 35–40 clerks
Dates: Late November to early February (approximately 10 weeks)
Application Deadline: July 13
Eligibility: Penultimate year university law students (final year students are also considered)
During this clerkship, you will learn about commercial law topics like corporate deals, disputes, and finance. You will research case files, write official memos, sit in on client meetings, and take part in new technology workshops. You also get to rotate through two different practice groups while being guided by a dedicated senior mentor. As you complete these tasks, you will build skills like clear legal writing, practical problem-solving, and strong workplace communication. By the end of the summer, you will have a clear picture of what it takes to work at a major global law firm.
6. Ashurst First Nations Legal Internship
Location: Offices in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth, Australia (multi-city placements)
Stipend: Usually AUD 70,000 – 80,000 with actual pro-rata pay during the internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approximately 5–10 vacancies across all offices
Dates: July 20–31
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Current undergraduate law students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and who are not in their first or final year, and who have the right to work in Australia
The Ashurst First Nations Legal Internship allows you to gain hands-on experience inside a global law firm with a strong presence in Australia. Over the two-week paid placement, you’ll work on substantive legal matters alongside qualified lawyers and receive structured mentorship aimed at building your legal skills. Your tasks typically involve legal research, drafting, participation in development workshops, and exposure to day-to-day legal work in practice groups. The program also promotes professional growth through paired mentoring (a supervising lawyer and a “buddy”), and fosters networking with professionals across offices in multiple cities.
7. MinterEllison Sydney Clerkship Program
Location: Sydney, Australia (with other Australian office locations available)
Stipend: Pro-rated (approximately AUD 60,000 - 65,000/year base)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies annually
Dates: Late November to early February
Application Deadline: Mid-July
Eligibility: Penultimate or final-year law students legally permitted to work in Australia
In this program, you will cover legal topics across major practice areas like corporate mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution, real estate, and infrastructure. You will draft legal documents, conduct transaction due diligence, attend client meetings, and utilize innovative legal technology tools. The program features an integrated legal and consulting structure, which allows you to solve multifaceted business challenges beyond traditional black-letter law. By the program's conclusion, you will have developed commercial awareness, strong professional communication, and the practical problem-solving skills necessary to excel in your legal career.
8. Corrs Chambers Westgarth Sydney Seasonal Clerkship
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Stipend: Approximately $85,000 - $90,000 AUD per year (paid pro-rata)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 20–30 clerks
Dates: Late November to early February
Application Deadline: Mid-July
Eligibility: Penultimate (second-to-last) year law students with Australian citizenship or permanent residency
The Corrs Chambers Westgarth Seasonal Clerkship is a paid summer job that introduces you to the daily work of a leading commercial law firm. You will explore topics like corporate law, property, dispute resolution, and banking. During the program, you will research legal questions, draft documents for clients, attend meetings, and shadow lawyers in court. The program enables you to do actual, meaningful work while receiving direct mentoring from experienced partners. By the time you finish, you will learn how to communicate clearly, solve practical problems, and write professional legal documents.
9. Gilbert + Tobin Sydney Summer Clerk Program
Location: Sydney, Australia
Stipend: Paid at a yearly rate of about AUD $80,000 - $85,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 20–30 students
Dates: Late November to early February (9 weeks)
Application Deadline: July 12
Eligibility: Second-to-last or final year law students
During the Gilbert + Tobin Sydney Summer Clerk Program, you will work inside a top corporate law firm by doing two four-week shifts in different teams. The program covers business law, community legal help (pro bono), and new legal technology. While there, you will write legal documents, research laws, check contracts, and attend training classes. The program features a strong support setup, which gives you a senior partner, a mentor, and a buddy to guide you. By the end, you will learn practical skills in managing projects, talking to clients, teamwork, and solving problems.
10. Thomson Geer Sydney Summer Clerkship Program
Location: Sydney, Australia
Stipend: Approximately AUD $60,000 - $70,000 per year (pro-rated for the clerkship period)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 8–12 clerks
Dates: Late November to early February
Application Deadline: Mid-July
Eligibility: Penultimate year law students (LLB or JD)
The Thomson Geer Summer Clerkship is a hands-on program where you work inside a major corporate law firm. During your time there, you explore different areas of commercial law, like corporate advisory and dispute resolution. You will draft documents, go to client meetings, do legal research, and sometimes even visit the court. The program enables you to work directly with a firm Partner and a junior lawyer, and by the end, you learn how to solve practical commercial problems, communicate clearly with clients, and manage your time in a real office.
11. ABC Legal Internship (Sydney Office)
Location: Sydney, NSW (ABC Legal offices in Ultimo, near Sydney CBD)
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: Placements run throughout March until early December
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Final-year law students at an Australian university who must complete a supervised practical legal placement as part of their degree or practical legal training requirements
This internship gives you practical exposure to how legal issues are handled in a large public sector environment. You’ll have the opportunity to work with specialist teams, gaining insight into both traditional and emerging legal areas. During your time at ABC Legal, you’ll assist with legal research, drafting, compliance tasks, policy reviews, and observational learning. You’ll build professional legal skills that complement your studies and prepare you for future roles in law firms, in-house teams, or public interest practice. The placement also connects you with mentors and legal professionals in a dynamic media law context, expanding your professional network.
12. UTS Local Internship (Undergraduate Law Internship)
Location: University of Technology Sydney placements with local host organisations in Sydney, NSW
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited cohort size
Dates: Autumn, Spring, Winter, and Summer sessions available
Application Deadline: Varies as per session
Eligibility: Undergraduate currently enrolled in a UTS Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a combined Law degree; completion of at least 48 to 96 credit points of law subjects; meet the prerequisites here
If you undertake the UTS Local Internship as an undergraduate, you’ll apply your law course knowledge in a real professional setting, gaining practical experience with legal tasks across a range of host organisations in Sydney. Throughout the 11-week placement period, you’ll work on legal research, drafting documents, attending meetings, and observing professional practice. Host partners give you exposure to areas like corporate law, human rights, policy research, and community advocacy. Internships also include academic elements like preparatory workshops, reflective journals, and a presentation after your placement, which help you critically connect your experience with your legal studies.
13. Sydney Law School Legal Internship Program
Location: Sydney, NSW (placements across public service organisations, NGOs, community centres, and legal firms as arranged through the University of Sydney)
Cost/Stipend: Standard tuition fees applicable for a 6-credit point unit / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by semester
Dates: Aligns with Semester 1 (February–June) or Semester 2 (August–November), or intensive sessions (January, June/July)
Application Deadline: Varies by session; typically 6–8 weeks before the semester starts
Eligibility: Undergraduate law students enrolled at the University of Sydney with approval to undertake course-related internships, who have completed at least 48 credit points of undergraduate study
The Sydney Law School Legal Internship Program places undergraduates in real legal settings where they’ll gain practical experience in legal research, drafting, client engagement, and advocacy, while applying legal theory to professional work. Host organizations include statutory bodies, legal aid services, community legal centres, the Australian Human Rights Commission, Aboriginal Legal Service, and other public interest and advocacy groups. You’ll gain exposure to areas like human rights, social justice, public law, and policy work. Internships build your understanding of legal practice, expand your professional network across Sydney’s legal community, and help you develop skills that are valuable for clerkships, graduate roles, and future career pathways.
14. UNSW Law & Justice Internship Opportunities
Location: Sydney, NSW (host organisations linked with UNSW Law & Justice)
Cost/Stipend: Approximately $2,175 (Commonwealth Supported) or $7,110 (Domestic/International full-fee) / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 40–44 students per session
Dates: Summer, Term 1, Term 2, and Term 3
Application Deadline: Varies by internship and partner organisation
Eligibility: Undergraduate law students enrolled in the UNSW Law & Justice program who have completed 78 units of credit (UOC) of LAWS courses
UNSW Law & Justice offers internships that are primarily credit-based courses that allow you to gain professional experience while completing your degree. You intern with legal, advocacy, policy, and research partners such as the Australian Human Rights Institute, Australian Pro Bono Centre, Centre for the Future of the Legal Profession, and other NGOs or government departments, where you’ll contribute to legal research, drafting, advocacy support, and client engagement. These placements allow you to apply your legal studies in diverse contexts, deepen your insights into legal systems and professional roles, and build skills that enhance your future career in law, policy, or social justice work.
Image source - Clayton UTZ logo