Law Clerk, Clerk 1/2 - Policy, Reform and Legislation - 2026-2027 Summer Clerkship

• 2026 – 2027 Summer Clerkship
• Policy, Reform and Legislation 
• Casual Employee - Full-Time (8 weeks) Part-time option available.
• Principally from workplace in Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available
• Clerk Grade 1/2, Salary - $42.85 per hour ($78,000- $84,799 pro rata) 

Your role

The Policy, Reform and Legislation Branch sits within the Law Reform and Legal Services Division of the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ). The Branch contributes to the development of policy for the justice system and to delivering government reform priorities, including complex legislative reform projects.

A Summer Clerkship with Policy, Reform and Legislation provides a unique opportunity to be involved in formulating government policy, law reform and Parliamentary practice. You will have hands-on involvement in a range of projects from civil to criminal law policy and legislation development, assisting to provide quality legal policy advice to Ministers, formulating changes to the law and implementing Ministers’ legislative programs in the communities and justice sector.

What you’ll do

A Summer Clerkship with the Policy, Reform and Legislation Branch is suited to students who enjoy working in a fast paced and dynamic workplace, have excelled in a variety of academic and non-academic fields, and are interested in pursuing a career in government or public policy.  

Some of the tasks you may be expected to complete include preparing briefing notes for the Attorney General and other ministers, liaising with stakeholders, conducting research and analysis on proposed Bills or policy reform, writing speeches, attending meetings and drafting correspondence.

Applicants will be given the opportunity to express a preference as to rotation through the following teams: 

Law Enforcement and Crime Team:

LEC is responsible for law reform relating to the criminal law. The team leads legislative reform relating to criminal offences, protections for vulnerable witnesses, investigative and enforcement powers for justice agencies and community safety orders, including post sentence supervision and detention schemes. 

Criminal Justice System Team:

CJS focuses on longer-term systemic reform within the criminal justice system. The team looks after all things relating to diversion out of the system, bail, sentencing and parole. It is also responsible for specific projects relating to Closing the Gap, digital reform in courts, children and young people, and mental health and cognitive impairment. 

Civil Justice, Vulnerable Communities, and Inclusion Team:

CJVCI undertake research, draft legal policy advice and develop legislative and non-legislative projects relating to the civil justice system, including discrimination and guardianship law and provide support for the legislative program for the Attorney General.  

Courts, Access to Justice and Regulatory Team:

The team works on a wide variety of policy and reform areas including courts and tribunals, criminal and civil procedures, specialist jurisdictions (e.g., the Walama List, Drug Court and coronial jurisdiction), privacy and new technologies, how the legal profession is regulated and strategy and funding around the legal assistance sector. 

What we’re looking for

As an essential requirement, candidates must currently be studying, but not have completed, a law degree, whether an undergraduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or postgraduate Juris Doctor (JD). Preference will be given to students in their final or penultimate year of study. 

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require a National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014. 

In addition to meeting the essential requirements, the ideal candidate possesses:

• a strong academic record
• well-developed legal research and writing skills
• strong communication and interpersonal skills, and
• a demonstrated interest in law reform and policy development. 

Download the role description and Summer Clerkship 2026 - 2027 FAQ Information

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click the "Apply Now" button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you. 

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including: 

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs. 

Want more information?  Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for DCJ provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters. 

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment! 

Are you ready to join us?

Click "Apply Now", attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 3 pages), your most recent academic transcript (unofficial records are accepted) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) briefly outlining how you meet the requirements of the role and addressing the 2 targeted questions below: 

• Why are you interested in a legal policy role at DCJ? 
• Clerks often need to research complex legal or policy concepts. How would you approach researching a complex concept, and communicating your findings to a colleague?

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact Hiring Managers, Vanessa Chan and Inderpreet Singh at policy@dcj.nsw.gov.au using the subject line: Law Clerk, Clerk 1/2 - Policy, Reform and Legislation - 2026-2027 Summer Clerkship enquiry via EthicalJobs.

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), contact Lois Jebin at lois.jebin@dcj.nsw.gov.au .

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more. 

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups. 

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application. 

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

A position description is attached.