Can you see yourself working alongside Australia's foremost legal minds, advising on matters of national significance? If so, you should consider becoming part of the AGS Graduate Program.
Who we are
AGS is unique. AGS is one of 5 groups within the Attorney-General’s Department and is the Australian Government’s central legal service. AGS is a centre of excellence and expertise in areas of law of importance to the Australian Government.
AGS is innovative. Drawing on an exceptional depth of experience and expertise, AGS assists the Australian Government in the development and implementation of solutions to legal issues that have national importance.
AGS is diverse. With offices in every capital city and a team of over 680 staff, including approximately 450 lawyers, AGS works in more than 40 different areas of law related to government across its 3 practice groups, the Office of General Counsel, Dispute Resolution and Commercial. These areas of law include:
- public law
- Constitutional law
- development, implementation and administration of legislation
- statutory interpretation
- workplace, industrial relations and compensation law
- competition and consumer law
- tax law
- corporate and commercial law
- property and environmental law
- litigation and disputes support across all these areas.
Your year on the AGS Graduate Program
On the AGS Graduate Program you will:
- undertake 4 rotations of approximately 12 weeks each
- undertake a rotation in each of AGS’s 3 practice groups, where you will be exposed to the breadth of different areas of law AGS works in and work with many of Australia’s best government lawyers
- undertake a client outpost within one of AGS’s Commonwealth agency clients, which will provide you with valuable insights into their business operations and develop your client relationship skills
- undertake work as part of AGS’s pro bono program, which may involve undertaking a placement with a public interest clearing house, community legal centre or not-for-profit organisation and will provide the rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the broader community and to hone your legal skills by engaging in different areas of law.
Throughout your year on the AGS Graduate Program, you will be mentored and supported and will have access to a broad range of learning and development opportunities.
At the end of your year on the AGS Graduate Program you will have the opportunity to nominate your preference as to which of AGS’s 3 practice groups you would like as a permanent placement. Your preference, skills and experience will be taken into consideration by AGS in deciding where you will be placed.
The AGS Graduate Program will provide you with the opportunity to examine which areas of law pique your interest by providing you with real experience in a diverse range of matters, as well as the building blocks to develop strong client relationships. It is the perfect pathway to a dynamic career in Australian law!
How to apply
AGS recruits graduates for the AGS Graduate Program through the legal practice sub-stream of the legal stream of the whole of Australian Government Graduate Program in a process coordinated by the Attorney-General’s Department.
If you wish to be considered for the AGS Graduate Program, you will need to apply on the graduate portal on the APS Jobs website. The broad timeline for the recruitment process is:
- applications generally open in March each year and close in late April – early May
- assessment of written applications then takes place to decide which applicants will be invited to attend an interview
- post interview, applicants are invited to nominate their preference for the legal practice sub-stream and their preferred Commonwealth agency
- offers are generally made in July – August
- the AGS Graduate Program then starts in February the following year.
You can sign up to a mailing list to be notified when applications for the Australian Government Graduate Program opens.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the legal practice sub-stream of the legal stream of the Australian Government Graduate Program you must:
- be an Australian citizen at the time of application
- have completed a minimum of a Bachelor of Laws or a Juris Doctor within the 5-year period prior to 31 December of the year of your application for the program
- be willing to undertake a security clearance process (noting that AGS will require you to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 2 security clearance once accepted onto the AGS Graduate Program and to undertake an employment screen)
- be admitted as a lawyer or eligible and willing to complete your Practical Legal Training during the program.
What AGS is looking for
AGS is looking for engaged and highly capable law graduates who:
- are positive, resilient, agile, self-aware and aware of others
- manage their own emotions under pressure, cope with change and adapt to feedback
- deliver results and meet client expectations, use planning and organisational skills to deliver on time and are aware of business and market parameters to best service clients
- are good with people, collaborative and team oriented, professional and respectful
- have strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate with influence and impact
- have thorough research and analytical skills, lateral and critical thinking skills and an ability to engage with complex matters
- have a strong interest in working with government and in legal practice, a strong work ethic and a willingness to demonstrate and uphold the APS values
- have legal practice discipline, commercial acumen and knowledge and the ability to work with technology.
For more information
If you have any questions regarding the AGS Graduate Program, please contact graduate.recruitment@ags.gov.au