Internships
At UNSW Law & Justice, we offer a diverse range of internships, giving students the chance to put theory into practice, providing training, practical experience and a real insight into future career paths in law and criminology.
We encourage students to gain practical experience to complement the theory in their programs by offering a range of outstanding internships.
Law Internships
The Law Internship course offers students the opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on legal experience that complements their academic studies. Interns develop practical skills in research, drafting, advocacy, client engagement, and legal representation—laying the groundwork for future career success.
Students can apply for internships with a wide range of host partners involved in legal practice, advocacy, policy development, research, and law reform. These include:
- Non-government organisations (NGOs)
- Social justice organisations
- Government departments
- UNSW Law & Justice research centres
The Law Internship course encourage students to critically reflect on the law, legal systems, and the profession. With guidance from UNSW academics and industry professionals, students gain practical insights and explore diverse legal career pathways.
Law internships are available as an elective course to students enrolled in:
- Bachelor of Laws (Double Degree)
- Juris Doctor
- Master of Laws
Students in the Bachelor of Laws and Juris Doctor programs may apply to extend their internship for additional units of credit. The extended course includes an applied research component to deepen students learning experience.
Criminology Internships
UNSW Law & Justice offers a Criminology Work Integrated Learning (WIL) internship course to give students a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience and a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system. These structured and supported placements allow students to work directly with government or non-government organisations tackling contemporary criminal justice challenges.
Through these internships, students apply their academic knowledge in practical settings—developing skills in research, policy, advocacy, and client engagement, while gaining insight into how criminal justice operates in practice.
Placement opportunities may include:
- Government agencies
- Non-government organisations (NGOs)
- Social justice and advocacy organisations
Criminology internships are available as an elective course to students who are enrolled in:
- Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice (single or double degree, excluding BCCJ/Social Work)
- Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Psychological Sciences, or Bachelor of Arts and Business with a Criminology major
“My internship at Legal Aid NSW’s Strategic Law Reform Unit provided invaluable insight into the practical workings of law reform and advocacy. By contributing to policy analysis and legal research and collaborating with experienced law reform officers, I gained an understanding of the critical role of law reform in advancing social justice and addressing laws that disadvantage vulnerable communities. This opportunity not only enhanced my analytical and communication skills but also strengthened my commitment to contributing meaningfully to the development of a fairer, more just legal system.”
Adrienne Byrne, JD student
More information
Students may apply for an internship opportunity with UNSW’s Law & Justice host partner network or self-source an internship with an organisation of their choice. Partner internship placements are subject to a selection process. Course enrolment requires course authority approval.
For further information, on applying for internships and application dates, students can visit MyLaw.
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Our internship partners for Term 1 2026 include;
- Australian Human Rights Institute
- Australian Pro Bono Centre
- Centre for the Future of the Legal Profession (UNSW Law & Justice)
- Centre for Sustainable Development Reform
- Diplomacy Training Program
- Environmental Defenders Office
- Grata Fund
- Immigration Advice & Rights Centre
- International Law Association
- Legal Aid NSW
- Lifeline Australia
- Migrant Justice Institute
- National Copyright Unit
- NSW Department of Communities & Justice
- Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS)
- Seniors Rights Service
- The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre
- St Vincents Health Australia
- Tenants’ Union of NSW
- UNSW Legal & Compliance
- UNSW Tax & Business Advisory Clinic
- Youth Law Australia
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- Aboriginal Legal Service
- Arts Law Centre of Australia
- Human Rights Watch Australia
- Hume Riverina Community Legal Centre
- The Justice and Equity Centre - Homeless Persons' Legal Service
- National Justice Project
- Office of The Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW)
- Redfern Legal Centre
- Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding (and Crown Solicitor’s Office)
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Some of our current partners include:
- ADRA Community Centre Blacktown
- Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR)
- Centre for Criminology, Law & Justice
- Community Restorative Centre
- Department of Communities and Justice - Corrective Services (Community Corrections)
- Gendered Violence Research Network
- Justice Support Centre
- NSW Ombudsman
- Street Industries
- Yuwaya Ngarra-li Partnership