The Australian Law Reform Commission provides opportunities for interns to work alongside Commission members and legal staff.
Interns work on a voluntary basis, and may work with the ALRC for a day a week for one semester, or for four weeks full time during semester or over the summer break (either in November/December or in January/February).
Interns are supervised by a staff member, and undertake research work determined by the needs of the ALRC. Internships provide an opportunity for students to increase their awareness of law reform issues while also allowing the ALRC to benefit from the student's research and writing skills. Intern's work is credited in ALRC publications.
The ALRC does not provide any remuneration or financial assistance to interns.
The ALRC does not provide placements to students needing accreditation as part of a professional legal practice course.
The ALRC's policies in relation to internships, student placements and professional legal practice are available at Intern Placement Policy and School Student and Legal Practice Policy.
Information on the ALRC structure, objectives and membership is available in About the ALRC.
Generally, the ALRC will be working on two to three inquiries at any particular time, ranging from technical aspects of the law to questions of broad social policy. For information on the ALRC's current reference work, go to Current inquiries.
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Testimonials from ALRC interns
Work experience with the Australian Law Reform Commission had shown her [Caitlin Goss] how law reform could have an impact on the community through improving the laws surrounding issues such as medical privacy and the sentencing of criminals. Ms Goss hoped her studies would allow her to help set up new legal systems in countries recovering from war.
'2009 Rhodes Scholar maintains family winning streak',
Connections 2009
The ALRC pursues a policy of involving interns as closely as possible in its work, and into the fabric of the Commission. This Commission consults widely across the community, and at the time of my internship there were many meetings with academics and well-known and experienced figures in the legal community. As a student, it is undeniably thrilling to encounter and learn from people whose work one is familiar with, and have studied.
Mariam Jacob—University of NSW (2009)
I gained a fantastic insight into the public policy processes involved in conducting inquiries ... It was a highly worthwhile experience that I would recommend to anyone who is curious about or has an interest in public policy.
Tracy Nau—University of NSW
I think this will be an influential experience for me, as it will inform my career aspirations and ultimate choices in law and public policy. The ALRC has set a very high standard regarding the type of work environment I hope to enjoy in my own career.
Peter Fox—University of Maryland
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