Law internships and work experience: how to get started

Do you need work experience to become a lawyer? 

Work experience isn’t usually a compulsory part of completing a law degree, but if you want to practise as a lawyer, you'll need to complete supervised workplace experience as part of Practical Legal Training (PLT) after your degree.  

That said, many students choose to gain legal experience before they graduate through law internships, law placements, clerkships, paralegal roles or volunteering.

Associate Professor Andrew Hemming from the University of Southern Queensland believes it puts students in a stronger position after graduation:

The smartest students, in my opinion, are taking positions or internships while they're doing their degree.

Whether it's an internship, clerkship, paralegal role or volunteer position, practical experience gives you the chance to apply what you're learning in real legal settings, build professional confidence and get a clearer understanding of legal practice. 

Associate Professor Shannon Bosch from Edith Cowan University says practical experience helps students connect theory with practice. 

"This gives students insight into how legal principles operate in real-life situations, helping them build professional confidence, practical skills, and a stronger understanding of client needs," she says. 

Types of law work experience opportunities 

There isn't just one path to gaining legal experience. Depending on where you are in your degree, you might volunteer at a community legal centre, work as a paralegal, complete an internship or apply for a clerkship. 

Internships 

A law internship gives you practical experience in a legal workplace. Depending on the organisation, you might assist with legal research, prepare documents, observe client meetings or support lawyers with day-to-day legal work. 

Law clerkships 

A law clerkship is a structured work experience program, usually offered by medium and large law firms to students in the penultimate year of their degree. Many form part of graduate recruitment programs. 

Paralegal roles 

Many students work as paralegals while studying, supporting lawyers with legal research, drafting documents, preparing files and communicating with clients. These paid roles can provide valuable experience before graduation. 

Mooting and advocacy competitions 

Mooting competitions simulate court proceedings, giving students the chance to develop advocacy, legal research and public speaking skills in a supportive environment. 

Volunteering 

Volunteering with a community legal centre or university legal clinic lets students contribute to real legal work while developing practical skills under professional supervision.

Depending on the setting, you might gain experience in areas like family law, tenancy law or social justice.  

Learn more about the different law specialisations you could pursue. 

When do law students do internships or work experience? 

There's no perfect time to start gaining legal experience. Some students begin volunteering or working in legal support roles during the early stages of their degree, while others wait until they've built more legal knowledge before applying for internships. 

Clerkships generally target students in the penultimate year because firms are often recruiting future graduate lawyers. PLT on the other hand, takes place after you've completed your law degree and forms part of the pathway to admission. 

How long are law internships?  

The length of a law internship depends on the employer and the type of opportunity.  Some internships run for a few weeks during study breaks, while others continue part-time over several months.

Clerkships are often held during summer, while volunteer roles or paralegal positions may continue alongside your studies for much longer. 

How to get a law internship  

Universities are often the first place students discover internship opportunities. Careers services, employability teams and academic staff regularly share information about internships, clerkships, legal clinics and networking events.  

You can also search for opportunities through:  

• Law firms' careers pages 
• Community legal centres 
• Government graduate and internship programs 
• Professional organisations such as your state or territory law society 
• Online job platforms such as SEEK and LinkedIn 

Networking can also help you discover opportunities that aren't widely advertised. 

How to apply for a law internship 

Most internship applications will ask for a résumé, cover letter and academic transcript. Some employers may also require interviews or online aptitude testing. 

Competition for some internships and clerkships can be strong, particularly at larger firms. But Andrew says employers are looking for much more than academic results:

The best lawyers don’t always necessarily have the highest marks at law school. They’ve got a variety of skills.

Beyond demonstrating your legal knowledge, your application should highlight transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and initiative. Experience gained through volunteering, customer service, leadership roles or community organisations can all help demonstrate these qualities. 

What do you learn from a law internship? 

Law internships give you the chance to see how legal practice works beyond your studies. 

Along with developing practical legal skills, you'll learn how lawyers work with clients, collaborate with colleagues, manage competing priorities and apply legal knowledge to real problems.

You'll also gain a better understanding of workplace expectations and professional ethics – things that are difficult to fully appreciate through study alone. 

Are law internships paid? 

It depends on the employer and the type of opportunity. 

Many clerkships with medium and large commercial law firms are paid, while internships with community legal centres, charities or some government organisations may be unpaid. Volunteer positions are generally unpaid, while paralegal roles are usually paid employment. 

Andrew says building experience with an employer can also have other financial benefits.

"If you've been a paralegal with a firm and they wanted to keep you, then there's a possibility they may assist your finances for completing the PLT."

How to make the most of your experience  

Getting an internship is only the first step. Making the most of the opportunity means approaching it with curiosity and a willingness to learn – and applying the same mindset throughout your degree. Shannon says:

The best way to maximise opportunities is to treat your degree as more than just classroom study.

She recommends students:  

• actively participate and ask questions 
• seek feedback and apply it 
• build strong research and writing skills 
• develop professional networks through university and industry events 
• stay open to different career pathways and areas of law. 

Practical experience isn't just about building your résumé. It can also help you discover which areas of law genuinely interest you – and which ones don't.  

Can you gain legal experience while studying online? 

Studying law online doesn't limit your access to internships or other practical experience. Online students can still apply for internships, clerkships, volunteer positions and paid legal support roles in exactly the same way as other students. 

Shannon says online study can actually make it easier for some students to fit practical experience around work, family and other commitments:

It's a valuable pathway for students who need greater control over their schedule while still gaining an accredited law qualification.

Explore your study options through us 

Internships and clerkships may come later, but choosing the right law degree is where your journey begins. 

Compare online law courses from leading universities through Open Universities Australia.

If you're still exploring your options, try Help Me Choose or speak with a student advisor for personalised guidance on study pathways and career outcomes. 

FAQs about law internships