“Being an intern at Refugee Legal is such a great introduction to a lawyer’s work. I do many of the simple things; following up to check that a client has received an email, helping clients log into their email accounts. But I know this work reassures people. When you’re alone and lost in these difficult processes, it lets people know that there’s someone there. This experience has given me a sense of what it means to do something that has meaning. I hope that I’ve helped people”.
Internships at Refugee Legal are a great opportunity to contribute to bettering the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and disadvantaged migrants in Australia. By undertaking an internship at Refugee Legal you will be able to;
- Work directly under the supervisor of our expert migration lawyers
- Work directly with clients and interpreters
- Gain an understanding of the policies and processes that effect people seeking Australia’s protection
Please consider the relevant position description before applying for the role:
We offer a variety of voluntary placement opportunities to students across disciplines, universities and levels of experience. We run a rolling, limited intake for;
- Work Experience Students in Year 10
- University Placement Student- Legal and non-legal
- Practical Legal Training
All placements (with the exception of High School students) require;
- A minimum 3 day a week, 1 month commitment to your placement role with Refugee Legal;
- A strong interest in social justice and human rights, particularly refugee and asylum seeker rights;
- Very strong research and analytical skills;
- An ability to write clearly, express complex ideas succinctly and reference using AGLC ;
- Capacity to pay close attention to detail while working in a fast-paced environment and juggling multiple tasks;
- An ability to follow instructions meticulously and complete tasks to deadlines;
- A basic understanding of administration and administrative processes including word processing, organisational skills, basic computer skills, a good phone manner and familiarity with data collection;
- A sensitivity to clients from a variety of backgrounds and a willingness to communicate openly with them and welcome them to Refugee Legal; and
- A flexible attitude and willingness to take on new tasks when requested
To be considered for a placement please submit;
- Your resume
- A statement of results
- A recent piece of writing
Placement Experiences
Lachlan Buckley
“I started my internship at Refugee Legal in January as part of my Practical Legal Training (PLT) with College of Law. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and I am amazed at how fast each day flies past. I have undertaken a range of tasks at all phases of the legal process and have really been able to understand the importance of Refugee Legal’s role for our clients. I have undertaken country research to determine the strength of client’s claims and have really enjoyed the challenge of fossicking through country information and finding the evidence to support and give merit to client’s claims. I have filled out the long and unnecessarily complicated Protection Visa applications with clients and have drafted statutory declarations, spending long periods of time going over finer details of their application and appreciated the time spent building rapport with clients on these occasions. I have been to a Department interview where I assisted drafting oral submissions and am currently in the process of drafting written submissions for the Decision Maker. This internship has allowed me to follow my passion and has given me the opportunity to gain experience in an area of law I would love to continue working in. It has been a fantastic period time for me here at Refugee Legal and has made me excited for the road ahead”
– Refugee Legal PLT student
Rediete Aborete G Messkel
“Completing my internship at Refugee Legal in my first year of the JD was an amazing experience. Having such an engaging and approachable supervisor, Ben, enabled me to get the most out of this internship. Working closely with Ben gave me a great insight into the day to day responsibilities of a solicitor and also gave me the opportunity to gain and develop a wide range of practical skills that I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to learn in a classroom setting. It has been really interesting to see how the different organs of government interact with each other and role that solicitors and migration agents have, liaising between the government and clients. Above all, my favourite part of interning at Refugee Legal has been being able to be a part of an organisation that is doing such amazing work towards a cause that I am so passionate about. “
– Refugee Legal Summer Intern
Malek Kazimi
Undertaking my Practical Legal Training at Refugee Legal has involved substantial legal work, which I’ve found to be extremely useful. Under supervision I’ve undertaken and managed several cases. I’ve also assisted clients with drafting statements of protection claims. This role has improved my ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of people and also cement my knowledge of the relevant law and legal processes. I would highly recommend that anyone considering such a placement undertake it at Refugee Legal.