Employment

Supervised Workplace Training (SWT)

Information on finding and finishing articles. Links to Traineeships Guidelines.

After completing a law degree graduates are required to complete a practical education requirement before being admitted to practise. Historically, the most common way of gaining practical education in law has been through an articled clerkship:

  • An articled clerkship/traineeship is the equivalent of a 12-month apprenticeship
  • Graduates work as an 'articled clerk'/'trainee' under the supervision of a fully qualified solicitor
  • Places for ACs/Trainees are very limited and demand generally outstrips availability
  • Law firms look to recruit graduates with a well-rounded balance of academic results, work experience, community and volunteer work and social interests.
  • Graduates may be admitted to practice after completing their articles/traineeship year

Looking for Trainees

Search our registry for advertised trainee positions.

The list of 80 firms (pdf) that are signatory to the LIV Traineeship Guidelines 2009 (pdf) is also an excellent source.

Remember when you start your search not to limit yourself to positions in Melbourne CBD only. There are also positions available in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Use the LIV Law Practice directory as a directory of contact details. Other tips:

  • Call the firm if they haven't advertised a position.
  • Go to your university law student society to obtain a Careers Handbook.

As of 2006 the Young Lawyers' Section no longer publishes the Careers Handbook. Victorian university law schools publish careers guides containing profiles of various law firms and organisations, career guidance information and testimonials from members of the legal profession. Hardcopies are usually available through the corresponding law students' societies (LSS). Softcopies may also be available on their websites.

Two other valuable online sources are:

LIV Traineeship guidelines

The LIV Traineeship Guidelines confirm the dates of important events, including: Interview offers from signatory law firms (earliest date) and ofers of positions.

To ensure that both principals and trainees are awere of their obligations during the traineeship year, the Young Lawyer's Section has developed the following set of guidelines: Guidelines for Principals and Articled Clerks (pdf)

These Guidelines have an in principle endorsement from the Council of Legal Education.

The Board of Examiners' chief purpose is to help all candidates who are properly qualified through the admission process. Therefore, you should not hesitate to seek the Board of Examiners' advice and assistance at any time.

Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2008

All matters relating to academic qualifications, conduct of traineeships (or other forms of practical training), and everything else leading up to admission to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria are governed by the Rules.