2026 Paid Internship

Legal Services Division (the division) provides strategic legal advice and assistance to Services Australia (the agency)’s executive and the Minister. The division is responsible for the delivery of legal services within and on behalf of the agency. Our lawyers and staff in the division contribute to important work that affects the lives of over 26 million Australians in one of the largest government law practices in the Commonwealth. 

The agency is at the forefront of modern service delivery, harnessing technology to provide our customers with simple, helpful and accurate services. Our lawyers provide legal advice on the use and risks of complex technologies, including artificial intelligence, across social security, child support and health care legislative regimes as well as for the myGov platform and the Digital ID exchange.

Interns will have the opportunity to work with lawyers and staff in the division on a range of diverse, complex and exciting work, providing them with both practical experience and exposure to what day-to-day life as a lawyer in the division looks like. Interns may work on a variety of discrete and/or larger-scale ongoing matters. Tasks could include undertaking legal research, drafting relevant documents and communications, meeting and engaging with internal and external stakeholders, and shadowing on matters more generally. 

The internship is an 8-week full-time placement running between 17 November 2026 and 29 January 2027. 

• Maintain and use information databases to collate and present data and contribute to the development of accurate and informative reports.
• Research and prepare documentation for review by senior team members. 
• Understand, respond to and resolve stakeholder enquiries.
• Investigate and manage routine cases and more complex cases under supervision.
• Represent the team or work area in a range of forums, committees and roles.
• Develop knowledge of legislation, policies, procedures, ethics and interventions that are relevant to area of expertise.

Mandatory qualifications

• Be a Canberra-based Law University student in your penultimate or ultimate year of study, currently enrolled in a legal bachelor's degree or above and actively studying a full-time or part-time load.
• You must have at least 6 months, but no more than 24 months remaining in your study from the intake date.
• Performing well over the course of your studies, having a weighted average mark of at least 60.
• Security clearance: Baseline (or the ability to obtain and maintain).

In accordance with section 22(6) of the Public Service Act 1999, Services Australia requires applicants to be Australian citizens to be eligible for employment with Services Australia.  

An applicant’s suitability for employment with the agency will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes but is not limited to a national police history check, referee checks, code of conduct check and an employment history integrity check. 

Some positions within Services Australia may be required to work in settings where mandatory vaccinations are required. Staff in such positions will need to demonstrate that they meet the vaccination requirements or have a relevant exemption.

You must be willing to:

• Complete the internship placement in Canberra.
• Legal Services Division may require candidates to undergo a police check and to sign a confidentiality agreement prior to their commencement.
• Undertake an 8-week full-time role period between 17 November 2026 and 29 January 2027.

Services Australia’s workforce operates using an agile approach, and all staff should be prepared to redeploy to critical frontline functions as required. Should you need to redeploy as part of the agency’s surge workforce, all learning and development and technical/pastoral support will be provided to you to enable you to undertake that work.

We are one of Australia’s largest public sector employers. We are located in every capital city and over 400 local, regional, and remote locations across Australia. Job opportunities in Services Australia can be right where you are or might be right where you want to be. We are looking for people who want to work with us to deliver a simple, helpful, respectful, and transparent experience for our customers. We offer diverse employment opportunities so you can plan to take your career anywhere you want to. We celebrate people with different cultural backgrounds and disabilities. We are also a leading employer of First Nations Australians and a Platinum tier LGBTQIA+ inclusive employer. When you work with us, you will be doing something that matters and be respected for the unique views and skills that you bring. What our people say about working with us: 'It’s rare you find a job that provides such a direct link to the community’ 'You can work for the same agency for your whole career but have the opportunity to work in many different roles' 'Highly supportive team and flexible working conditions where you can be at your best'