First Nations' Law

The Aurora Education Foundation's internship program offers placements at organisations working to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Indigenous and non-Indigenous students from law, social science and health science backgrounds are welcome to apply. Placements include working in native title, land rights, policy development, research and social justice. Host organisations include Native Title Representative Bodies and Prescribed Body Corporates located all over Australia. Students thus have the opportunity to travel interstate for the internship. Internships run for four to six weeks and are a full-time unpaid commitment (but part-time placements can be negotiated). After completing the program, students can take advantage of numerous career opportunities offered by Aurora by joining the Aurora alumni network. In some instances, an Aurora internship may lead to paid employment within the organisation itself.

Information for Students

Applications open in March for the Winter intake, and in August for the Summer intake. For law applicants, you will need to be currently enrolled in/completed Property Law (including native title). You may still be eligible if you have completed a substantial part of your degree but have not completed Property Law. You will need to submit your resume, academic transcript, two written references (one professional, the other academic), and a cover letter which includes your experience in and/or knowledge of Indigenous/multicultural affairs, social justice and other legal work, as well as detailing your strong sense of cultural awareness and sensitivity.

Scholarships are also available to Indigenous interns to cover daily living expenses as well as travel and accommodation costs. For further information see https://aurorafoundation.com.au/our-work/internship-program/.

Queensland South Native Title Services is a Native Title Service Provider, organisations which receive government funding to deliver legal advice to Traditional Owners on the topic of Native Title. QSNTS endeavours to secure a strong platform for self-determination, and does so by attempting to secure rights-based recognition and fair agreements and compensation for First Nations People.

QSNTS offers internships through the Aurora Internship Program and considers other applications on a case by case basis. QSNTS advertises positions on their website: https://qsnts.com.au/.

ATSILS is a not-for-profit, community organisation contracted by the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department to provide criminal, civil and family law services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and their families in Queensland. ATSILS seeks to influence positive change within the justice system to reflect an appreciation for the culturally specific and diverse circumstances that impact upon Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Information for Students

Students currently studying law, justice, indigenous studies, advocacy are encouraged to apply for the Student Placement Program at ATSILS. Placements are available within either the Brisbane or regional offices. Students will be exposed to criminal law, family law and child protection, and civil law (which includes human rights law, coronial enquiries, and other legal services) matters.

Law students can apply for placement via the ATSILS website, https://www.atsils.org.au/student-placements/. ATSILS welcomes students across Queensland, who are studying Law, Justice, Indigenous Studies, Advocacy, or a combination to apply. While ATSILS does not generally offer internship fees to students a strong introduction to cultural competence and other invaluable learning experiences are provided.

For graduates, recruitments are advertised on the website, https://www.atsils.org.au/job-vacancies/ and on Seek. Applicants are required to address selection criteria and answer questions about their employment skills and history. Interviews are generally conducted with a Panel of three members, in-person or online via Skype for Business.

ATSILS generally prefers applicants with ideally at least two years' post admission experience, but those with less are welcome to apply. Demonstrated advocacy skills and court acumen is looked upon favourably, along with experience in both Duty Lawyer type responsibilities and hearings is a distinct advantage. The number of positions available is dependent upon funding which varies yearly.