In high school, summer is often seen as a time to relax and take a break from schoolwork. However, summers can be a lot more than that; you can use this time to explore your interests, gain practical experience, and challenge yourself in ways that regular classrooms often cannot. Law summer jobs in Australia for high school students offer a practical way to explore the legal system, law enforcement, criminal justice, policy, and the judiciary through research, mentorship, work experience, and internships.

You may observe real courtroom proceedings, work in a parliament office, participate in mock trials, or learn directly from lawyers and legal professionals. You may also explore how laws are made, understand how courts function, and develop valuable skills in public speaking, research, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Even if you are still unsure whether law is the right career path for you, these opportunities can help you gain clarity. You will interact with professionals, explore legal workplaces, and learn about different areas of law, such as criminal justice, human rights, and courtroom advocacy, while preparing for your future career.

What kinds of law summer jobs in Australia are available for high school students?

Many of the best opportunities in Australia are work experience placements, parliamentary programs, mock trial challenges, legal education workshops, and virtual legal internships hosted by reputable academic, legal, and business institutions that provide strong exposure to the legal profession. These programs may focus on courts, parliaments, law firms, legal aid services, mediation, forensics, and public policy. You will learn from lawyers, judges, legal educators, and public officials while participating in debates, conducting legal research, engaging in courtroom simulations, and observing real-world workplaces.

Finding meaningful law-related summer jobs in the country can be challenging, especially since traditional legal internships are often limited to high school students. To make your search easier, we have curated a list of 15 law summer jobs in Australia for high school students. These options have been selected for the practical learning, strong mentorship, and meaningful exposure to the legal profession that they offer.

For related options, consider the online law program and summer internships in Australia.

15 Law Summer Jobs in Australia for High School Students

1. ACT Legislative Assembly (Parliament) Work Experience in Canberra 

Location: Legislative Assembly Building, Canberra
Cost: None
Dates: Typically, one week; you can indicate your preference for summer placements while requesting placement
Application deadline: Requests must be submitted six weeks before your preferred date range
Eligibility: Students, ages 14-18 (inclusive), enrolled at recognised ACT or New South Wales schools and living in specific areas 

This program offers a one-week hands-on work experience to high school students. You will work in an MLA’s office, gain exposure to how the staff there operate in a real parliamentary environment, interact with MLAs, and observe debates and parliamentary proceedings up close.

This experience can offer you exposure to careers in politics and law and insights into the daily operations of a government office. Additionally, you will learn about and build practical workplace skills during the work experience.

Why it stands out: You will work in an MLA’s office, observe real parliamentary debates, and gain first-hand experience of how the parliament functions.

2. Immerse Education’s Sydney Law Summer School

Location: Sydney, Australia
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students around the world, ages 15-18 

Immerse Education’s Career Insights Pathway introduces high school students to professional industries through experiential learning in major global cities. The law track lets you learn from practising lawyers and explore a range of legal concepts, including contract law, principles of justice, legal terminology, constitutional law, and criminal justice. You will also engage in critical legal analysis, attend seminars, and participate in moot court exercises.

The workshops, discussions, and debates offered by the program will help you think like a professional lawyer and sharpen your skills in research, advocacy, and analytical thinking. The program also offers weekly 1-on-1 career coaching sessions and personalised feedback on your resume and overall profile.The experience concludes with a final presentation where you will share your findings and experiences with peers and professionals. You can find more details about the application here!

Why it stands out: You will explore legal concepts and career paths, take part in moot court exercises, and build skills in legal analysis and advocacy while exploring the professional environment in Sydney.

3. Legal Aid NSW Community Legal Education Workshops

Location: Various sites in Australia
Cost: Free
Dates: Flexible year-round events; you can request a workshop here
Application deadline: No formal deadline
Eligibility: High school students, young professionals, and community workers; international student eligibility is not specified

Legal Aid NSW offers free learning opportunities to students, teachers, and community workers through its outreach program. You can choose from a variety of specialised workshops focused on legal education and workplace skills to learn from experienced lawyers and gain an in-depth understanding of the law and its role in the lives of young people. The workshops introduce you to the link between young people and criminal law, legal life skills, consent, and police powers.

Through these workshops, you will gain practical exposure to crime prevention, cyberbullying, ethical consent frameworks, and workplace rights. While not a typical summer job, the free program offers a hands-on introduction to legal concepts, preparing you for a career in law, community and social service, and health.

Why it stands out: The program covers real legal issues like criminal law, consent, and workplace rights through workshops led by experienced lawyers at no cost!

4. Parliament of Victoria Work Experience

Location: Parliament House, Melbourne, Victoria
Cost: Free
Dates: One-week placements; you can request a placement in Term 1 (Late January/early February – April) or Term 2 (April/early May – June/early July)
Application deadline: No formal deadline; interest forms will open in September
Eligibility: Students who are 15 or older and are Victorian residents studying at Victorian secondary schools

Parliament of Victoria offers a week-long work experience to high school students within the Parliamentary Services or the Parliamentary Sitting tracks. Through this program, you will explore the democratic processes, work with the parliamentary staff in real-world settings, and contribute to the everyday tasks of parliament.

The parliamentary sitting track lets you experience the work of the parliament up close while engaging in tasks like document preparation, visitor registration, and chamber setup, while connecting with a local member of the parliament. The Parliamentary Services program offers opportunities in areas such as business operations, broadcast, hospitality, and facilities management and maintenance.

Why it stands out: You will work with parliamentary staff, support daily parliament operations, and learn how democratic processes work through real workplace experience.

5. Victoria State Government Department of Justice and Community Safety’s Secondary Student Work Experience

Location: Various offices across Victoria (metropolitan and regional)
Stipend: Minimum AU$5/day
Dates: Flexible, based on your school’s work experience schedule
Application deadline: Applications should be submitted at least one month before your preferred placement start date.
Eligibility: Secondary school students, ages 15 and above, from Victoria; international students are not eligible

This work experience program places you within a team at the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety for one to two weeks, where you will observe and assist with real tasks to see how the department operates. Before you start, you will be introduced to key team members and briefed on workplace conduct, confidentiality requirements, and safety rules.

You can choose which part of the department you’d like to be placed in, such as corporate services, regional offices, or specialised units, and submit your application directly to that business area. The focus is on learning and developing employability skills rather than taking on full work responsibilities. 

Why it stands out: It gives you access to a wide range of government units spread across metropolitan and regional Victoria, letting you choose an area that matches your career interests.

6. Year 10 Work Experience @ Refugee Legal

Location: Refugee Legal, Melbourne, Victoria
Cost: Not specified
Dates: No fixed dates; duration varies by availability
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Year 10 high school students in Australia 

Year 10 Work Experience at Refugee Legal is a hands-on learning opportunity within an organisation that provides free legal assistance to refugees and disadvantaged migrants. As a participant, you will contribute to meaningful work focused on improving the lives of refugees in Australia.

The experience can offer insights into the protection policies and processes in the country. You may spend some time working in-person with interpreters and clients and receiving supervision from experienced migration lawyers. 

Why it stands out: This program offers exposure to refugee protection law, networking opportunities with interpreters and professionals, and real work experience under the guidance of migration lawyers.

7. Work experience @ the ACT Courts and Tribunal 

Location: ACT Courts and Tribunal, Canberra
Cost: Free
Dates: Session 1: June 29th – July 3rd | Session 2: November 30th – December 4th
Application deadline: Session 1: May 15th | Session 2: October 9th
Eligibility: Year 11 and 12 students in Australia

Work experience at the ACT Courts and Tribunal is a week-long program that offers high schoolers a real-world perspective of the legal profession. You will spend the week rotating through different areas of the ACT Courts and Tribunal and exploring the daily operations under the guidance of a staff member.

You will also help the staff prepare matters for hearing or case management and sit in on publicly accessible court or tribunal hearings. The experience will help you see what it takes to pursue a career in law and learn firsthand about legal proceedings in courts. 

Why it stands out: It lets you observe court and tribunal work, see how legal proceedings work, and gain practical insight into careers in law, all in five days.

8. Legal Studies Youth Parliament Program

Location: Legislative Assembly Chamber in the Parliament House, Brisbane
Cost: Free
Dates: May 15th
Application deadline: March 30th
Eligibility: Year 11 and 12 students currently studying QCAA Legal Studies 

The Legal Studies Youth Parliament Program allows you to experience first-hand Queensland’s law-making process. You will spend a day at the Parliament House in Brisbane, taking on a speaking or non-speaking role within a mock parliament session. If you choose to speak, you can debate a mock bill, engage in an Adjournment Debate, or provide a Private Members’ Statement focused on an issue within the jurisdiction of the Queensland Parliament.

You will actively engage and experience the full cycle of a parliamentary proceeding, gaining exposure to the rules, practices, and order of sessions. While not a typical summer job, this program lets you gain real exposure as you take on the role of a representative of the government or the opposition for a day.

Why it stands out: You will spend a day debating a mock bill, delivering parliamentary speeches, and taking part in adjournment debates while learning how Queensland’s law-making process works.

9. Victoria Police Work Experience Program

Location: Police stations, head offices, and departments in Victoria
Cost: Free
Dates: One-week placements between February and November; summer opportunities available
Application deadline: No formal deadline; registration should be completed by career teachers
Eligibility: Students, ages 15 and up, completing Year 10 or above at Victorian secondary schools

The Victoria Police Work Experience Program offers week-long placements for high school students interested in exploring law enforcement and the criminal justice system. You will join a police station, head office, or department to learn about everyday tasks carried out by police personnel.

You will hear from a range of professionals, including police custody officers, police officers, Victorian public service employees, and protective services officers. The experience can help you explore careers in law enforcement and build confidence in a workplace setting.

Why it stands out: It lets you observe the daily operations of police stations/head offices and interact with law enforcement personnel through on-site placements.

10. Law Society of New South Wales Young Justice Program

Location: University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus, Wollongong
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: One-day event in May (tentative)
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Years 9 and 10 students; international student eligibility is not specified

The NSW Law Society’s Young Justice Program is an annual one-day work-and-learn experience for high school students. You will hear from practitioners, attend a career panel session led by legal professionals, and participate in a hands-on legal workshop over the course of a day.

You will also engage in discussions with university law students to learn about their experiences. The hands-on experience can help you learn about the justice system and explore paths in law.

Why it stands out: You will discuss real legal issues and pathways with legal professionals, build public speaking and problem-solving skills, and explore careers in law on a university campus.

11. Kennedy’s Virtual Work Experience

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Six-hour self-paced program
Application deadline: No formal deadline
Eligibility: Students at all levels worldwide

Kennedy’s Virtual Work Experience offers students the opportunity to experience working at a global law firm through a simulated six-hour session. You will engage in practical tasks, understand critical legal communication, and develop analytical, drafting, and research skills, all essential for a career in law.

You will work on four key tasks, including the preparation of a witness statement to be used in a litigated claim, assisting a client with a pitch presentation, leaving a voicemail for a client, and drafting a memo on the effect of a “force majeure” clause. These tasks will offer you insights into commercial law and help you refine your professional legal analysis and communication skills. 

Why it stands out: This free virtual program lets you see what it is like to work in commercial law while taking on simulated legal tasks.

12. State of Queensland Department of Justice High School Work Experience

Location: Sites in Queensland; exact details vary by opportunity
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: No fixed dates; details available upon submitting an interest form
Application deadline: No formal deadline
Eligibility: High school students worldwide; work experience opportunities are facilitated in partnership with the applicants’ school

Queensland Department of Justice offers work experience within its offices to high school students. As a participant, you will gain exposure to the department’s work in delivering justice services to citizens.

Your daily responsibilities will vary by placement, but you may connect with government staff, contribute to administrative tasks, and sit in on meetings and informal discussions. The experience can offer insights into career paths within the department and how the department provides administrative support to Queensland courts.

Why it stands out: It offers the chance to explore the inner workings of government units, connect with state employees, and learn about career paths in justice services.

13. Bond University National High School Mooting Competition

Location: Online + Bond University campus, Gold Coast, Queensland
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: Mooting Masterclass (online): March 17th; Preliminary rounds (online): May 18-22; Finals (on campus): June 13th
Application deadline: Rolling; first-come, first-served enrollment (check details here)
Eligibility: Year 11 and 12 high school students in Australia; teams of two to three students accompanied by a teacher (Year 10 students allowed as third members, taking on the role of Instructing Solicitor)

Few law summer jobs in Australia for high school students place as much emphasis on courtroom advocacy as the Bond University National High School Mooting Competition. You will participate as a lawyer, take on the role of Senior Counsel or Junior Counsel in simulated court proceedings, engage in legal arguments, and answer questions from moot court judges.

The opportunity can help you apply legal principles and learn how to deliver clear and persuasive arguments. You will be judged based on your advocacy skills, including the confidence and clarity of communication, and the effective construction of persuasive arguments. While not a typical summer job, the experience involves hands-on legal work in a simulated court environment. 

Why it stands out: You will learn how to argue court cases as a lawyer, respond to the questions of judges, and build advocacy and persuasive speaking skills.

14. Law Society of NSW Mock Trial Competition

Location: Varies by competition rounds; virtual rounds may be organized.
Cost: Typically covered by schools; exact details not specified, but a fee of AU$130 has been charged in the past
Dates: March – December; multiple rounds throughout the year
Application deadline: February 13th
Eligibility: Students in years 10 and 11 participating in teams of six from the same school

The Law Society of NSW Mock Trial Competition introduces high school students to the NSW judicial system through active participation in simulated court room procedures. You will join a team of peers to tackle eight rounds of a mock trial. You and your team will work on true-to-life court cases while playing the roles of witnesses, barristers, clerks, solicitors, and court officers.

The competition will provide exposure to both criminal and civil case scenarios and help you develop skills in problem-solving and advocacy. The trials will be evaluated by volunteers, who are legal professionals, participating as judges in the program.

Why it stands out: You will take part in real-style criminal and civil court cases by taking on the role of a barrister, witness, or solicitor to prepare for a career in law.

15. NSW Law Society Mock Mediation Competition  

Location: Your school or virtual sessions
Cost: Typically covered by schools; exact details not specified, but a fee of AU$130 has been charged in the past
Dates: March – November; multiple rounds throughout the year
Application deadline: February 13th
Eligibility: Domestic students in Years 9 and 10

The NSW Law Society Mock Mediation Competition allows high school students to explore the benefits of alternative dispute resolution. You will work within a team to complete a total of six rounds, working on scenarios involving disputes between various parties. In each round, you will work on skills like active listening, logical and creative thinking, empathy, questioning, self-awareness, clear communication, and analysis to reach a resolution.

You will receive support and guidance from volunteers in the legal profession, and learn how to respectfully accept differences of opinion. The competition rounds will be judged by the Adjudicator, who will be an experienced legal volunteer.

Why it stands out: You will take part in mediation rounds, resolve disputes through negotiation, and build skills in listening, communication, and problem-solving.

From Courtrooms to Clearer Career Choices

Maybe law starts with a courtroom, a parliament office, a police station, or a simulated mediation table where every word matters.

The 15 law summer jobs in Australia for high school students featured here include MLA office placements, moot court competitions, legal aid workshops, refugee law experience, and justice department roles.

Together, they show that legal careers are not limited to becoming a lawyer; they can lead toward policy, advocacy, law enforcement, mediation, government, or community service.

Not sure which path fits you yet? Explore our Career Exploration blogs and start matching your interests with real futures worth pursuing.