Volunteer Roles

Last updated 28/03/2024


Practical Legal Training Volunteer Position — Ability Rights Centre

Complete your Practical Legal Training volunteer placements at the Ability Rights Centre. PLT will develop your practical skills and proficiency in the day-to-day practice of law.

Around 75 working days (15 weeks) of supervised experience in the delivery of legal services is required for admission as a lawyer in Australia.

Ability Rights Centre (ARC) is a community legal centre. It provides legal and advocacy services for people living with disability in NSW. It is a free service. ARC is operated by the Intellectual Disability Rights Service (IDRS).

Position Description:

  • Part-time work

  • Voluntary work (i.e. no wages)

  • Work in our office in Sydney (i.e. not from home) for the duration of the 75 work days

  • The work is supervised by a lawyer

Duties:

  • Assisting solicitors and NDIS advocates follow up on client matters

  • Assisting with the organization’s community legal education projects and related research

  • Research related to client matters

  • Client intake, general administration and rostering

  • Other projects and tasks that arise as part of the centre’s operation

Essential Selection Criteria:

  1. Completion of law degree and eligibility to start Practical Legal Training

  2. Understanding of and commitment to social justice

  3. Experience in administration and/or customer service

  4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills

  5. Ability to work independently and as part of a team

  6. Able to work in our offices in Sydney

  7. Strong understanding of ethical practice issues affecting community legal centres, including confidentiality and conflict of interest

  8. Vaccination: All staff and volunteers at ARC must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Rate of Pay: Unpaid

Employment Duration/Type: 75 working days/part-time

To Apply: Please send the following documents to arc@idrs.org.au:

  • A one-page cover letter addressing each of the essential selection criteria. Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.

  • A resume including education, relevant experience and referees (include name, relationship and contact details).

  • Your academic transcript.

Contact Details for any Questions/Enquiries: If you have any questions, please email arc@idrs.org.au. Website: www.abilityrights.org.au Address: Suite 459/311 Castlereagh St, Sydney, NSW, 2000. Phone: 02 9265 6350

Please see this document for more information.


PLT at Financial Abuse Service — Redfern Legal Centre

Redfern Legal Centre is seeking an enthusiastic PLT student to volunteer 2 days per week within our  Financial Abuse Service NSW. The role can be done as a combination of remote work and on-site work at Redfern Legal Centre. Training and initial supervision will be provided in person.

Criteria:

Availability all day on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays (preferably both). Preference will be given to candidates who can work both Tuesday and Thursday. Please specify your availability, start date and preferred length of commitment in your application (eg. Tuesdays and Thursdays starting on 11 April, 75 days in total). Applicants who are not available on either Tuesday or Thursday will not be considered for this role. Demonstrated knowledge of issues affecting RLC’s client groups and a demonstrated interest in the work of financial abuse.

Ideal Start Date: 28/02/2024

Rate of Pay: Unpaid

Employment Duration: 75 days

Application Closing Date: 30/04/2024

To Apply: Please visit rlc.org.au/plt-eoi

Contact Details for any Questions/Enquiries: Please contact Rebecca Campbell, Solicitor, Financial Abuse Service NSW, at rebeccac@rlc.org.au


Project Support Volunteer — National Justice Project

NJP is a not-for-profit legal service and civil rights organisation. We fight for justice, fairness and inclusivity by tackling systemic discrimination through the power of strategic legal action, education and advocacy. Together with our clients and community partners we work to create systemic change and we strive to amplify the voices of communities harmed by government inaction, harm and discrimination.

Our key areas of activity include health justice, specifically for persons with disability and First Nations communities; challenging misconduct in police, prisons and youth detention; and seeking justice for asylum seekers and refugees. We advocate for law reform, policy change, attitudinal change, improved services, community awareness and a justice system that is fair, just and equitable.

The Role:

The Volunteer will provide support to the Projects & Partnerships team with research, writing and administration to advance our priority areas.

  • Undertake research, administration, analysis and writing in assigned project area/s, contributing to briefs, research, submissions and reports

  • Assist to plan, deliver, monitor and advance projects

  • Support the National Justice Project’s education, advocacy and collaborative projects streams of work.

Start Date: mid-end of February 2024

Employment Duration: 1-2 days per week for a period of at least 6 months

Location: National Justice Project offers our volunteers a flexible hybrid model of volunteering, working from our Sydney office on Gadigal Land and/or remotely.

To Apply:

Please send applications to hr@justice.org.au.

Applications should include:

  • A copy of your CV, with details of at least two referees

  • Your location (clarifying whether you will be attending face-to-face or remotely)

  • A brief statement explaining why you’re interested in working with us, your availability, interest and capacity to assist with the duties/responsibilities

Further Details: Please view this document.

Contact Details for any Questions/Enquiries: Please send questions and applications to hr@justice.org.au.


Practical Legal Training Placement — Public Interest Advocacy Centre

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) is a community legal centre that specialises in strategic litigation and systemic advocacy on social justice and human rights issues. PIAC tackles difficult issues that have a significant impact upon people who are marginalised or facing disadvantage, ensuring basic rights are enjoyed across the community.

Our work addresses issues such as:

  • reducing homelessness;

  • access for people with disability to basic services like public transport, education and online services;

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice;

  • access to energy and water for low-income and vulnerable consumers;

  • the exercise of police powers;

  • the rights of people in detention, including the right to proper medical care; and

  • government accountability.

The Volunteer Practical Legal Training Placement contributes to the provision of a successful, innovative, and responsive legal practice through assisting with PIAC’s Homeless Persons Legal Service (‘HPLS’) intake process for new client referrals and queries and with PIAC's litigation and associated policy and law reform work.

About the role:

Successful applicants will be recruited to either:

  • work primarily in PIAC’s strategic litigation team, with one day a week conducting intake for the HPLS; or

  • work solely with the HPLS.

Strategic Litigation is PIAC’s largest team. It undertakes strategic legal casework, specialising in test cases, and brings legal expertise to systemic policy and law reform issues. The team both leads and contributes to priority projects that seek social justice and systems change. Our work is focused on advocating for people and communities who are marginalised and facing disadvantage.

HPLS is PIAC’s largest project, providing free legal assistance for people experiencing homelessness at outreach clinics in Sydney and the Hunter region. The project also provides a specialist criminal law service in Sydney, with a particular focus on diverting clients with mental health conditions from the criminal justice system.

PLT placements will include two career mentoring sessions; one towards the beginning of the placement, and another towards the end.

Tenure:

The Professional Legal Training Placements are required to work at least two days per week for a minimum of 40 days. However, we are open to requests for flexible working arrangements.

All Practical Legal Training Placements will be required to work at least one of their days at the PIAC office at Level 5, 175 Liverpool St, Sydney.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Answer telephone enquiries from clients and potential clients;

  • Assist with casework under the supervision of Solicitors, including taking instructions, drafting correspondence, preparing documentation, undertaking legal research and assisting in court.

Selection Criteria:

  • Good telephone manner and an ability to deal effectively with people at all levels;

  • Sound time-management and organisational skills;

  • Legal research skills;

  • Understanding of legislative and law reform processes;

  • Writing skills to enable drafting of research reports and legal documents;

  • Demonstrated understanding of the issues facing socially and economically disadvantaged people and of public interest concepts;

  • Demonstrated ability to work co-operatively as part of a team.

Rate of Pay: Unpaid

Start Date: mid-February 2024

Application Closing Date: 22/01/2024

Additional Information: Please view this document

To Apply:

PIAC strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people living with a disability.

Your application should be no longer than five pages. An application should comprise:

  • A cover letter addressing the selection criteria.

  • A current CV.

  • A copy of your academic transcript.

Applications should be sent by email to jobs@piac.asn.au

Contact Details for any Questions/Enquiries: For further information about these opportunities please contact Mitchell Skipsey, Senior Solicitor – Strategic Litigation via jobs@piac.asn.au


Legal Case Team Volunteer (Paralegal) — Anika Legal

This volunteer position is available to law students and graduates looking to gain practical legal training & experience within a supportive and value-driven community legal service provider.

The Opportunity

Equip yourself with the real-world skills that an aspiring lawyer needs to thrive in an evolving legal industry.

  • Learn what it's like to be a lawyer providing access to justice - run your own cases (under supervision) and make a real impact in the lives of your client.

  • Practice the people skills needed to effectively communicate with clients and negotiate with the other side.

  • Gain an understanding of how you can use and develop legal technology within a virtual legal practice.

Why we exist - There is an unmet need for legal assistance

Each year, over 600,000 Australians cannot access the legal assistance they need. And even those who are able to access legal assistance can struggle, with legal services commonly delivered in ways that can be difficult for regular people to understand.

What we do - We provide free, online legal assistance to people who can’t access it

We are a registered charity and social enterprise that envisions a world where everyone can access justice. We work towards our vision by providing free legal assistance to the community through an online platform, which is powered by law students seeking practical legal opportunities through university programs and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

You will work in the Case Team to provide legal services to clients and improve the ways we can create access to justice.

  • Engage in professional verbal and written communication with stakeholders both in Anika and externally, including clients and the other side.

  • Draft file notes, letters of advice, letters to the other side and VCAT applications.

  • Work in a remote and flexible environment whilst also achieving timely and effective results for clients.

Time Commitment

  • 1 Feb 2024 - 1 August 2024

  • Volunteers are expected to commit approximately 6 hours per week (working flexibly across the week - i.e. not in one block).

Who are we looking for?

You will be a law student or graduate who is eager to learn about the legal profession and embrace Anika's values of integrity, compassion, curiosity and courage.

  • Compassion - you are passionate about supporting vulnerable Australians to achieve just legal outcomes.

  • Curiosity - you are self-motivated to learn and find better ways to do things.

  • Courage - you are willing to step outside your comfort zone in the pursuit of justice.

  • Integrity - you will perform your role to the highest ethical standard.

Anika Legal is committed to building a team that is as diverse as the community we serve. Our team is better with people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences who work together to impactfully create access to justice. We believe in fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace for people of all gender identities, sexual orientations, cultural and linguistic backgrounds and abilities. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people, people who are culturally and linguistically diverse, people who are LGBTQIA+, disabled people and people of mature age to apply.

Application Closing Date: 3/1/2024

To Apply: You can apply for this voluntary position using this form. Do not submit your application by email - these will not be considered.

You will need to include:

  • a cover letter - no longer than one page, which includes your availabilities and and your ideal start and end dates.

  • your CV

Contact Details for any Questions/Enquiries: If you have any questions about this role please contact our People and Culture Team via email at people@anikalegal.com.

For Further Details: Visit here


Administration Volunteer — Welfare Rights Centre

The Welfare Rights Centre is looking for volunteers to assist with the delivery of our legal services - taking calls during advice shifts, responding to website inquiries, providing paralegal support and undertaking other administrative duties crucial to our casework practice.

Criteria: Please view this document

Ideal Start Date: 1/3/2024

Rate of Pay: Unpaid

Duration of Employment: 6 months/1x 4hr shift per week

Application Closing Date: 30/1/2024

To Apply: Please send a brief resume & answers to the selection criteria found in the attachment to recruitment@welfarerights.org.au

Contact Details for any Questions/Enquiries: recruitment@welfarerights.org.au


Volunteer Paralegal — Racial Justice Centre

About the Racial Justice Centre

Racial Justice Centre, a not-for-profit organisation and the pioneer of the first Australian Community Legal Service dedicated to racial justice, was founded in 2022 by lawyers with lived experiences. Operating as a company limited by guarantee, RJC is guided by an advisory committee comprising experts in law, academia, journalism, and the arts.

We are committed to using strategic litigation as a vehicle for pursuing and elevating the need for racial justice in the public domain: visit https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-26/woman-sues-nsw-police-claims-discrimination-road-rage-incident/102795076 to check out the ABC’s report on one of our cases. Our mission at RJC is clear: to eliminate racism and racial injustice through the legal system, education, and reform. Importantly, from the start to today, our organisation is sustained and driven by the dedication of volunteers.

Join the Movement for Justice

Are you passionate about justice and empowering marginalised voices? Do you believe that everyone deserves equal access to the legal system and the most basic rights to life, work and thrive individually and collectively? Are you tired of hearing discrimination swept under the rug by the media, government, workplaces and institutions?

From those with a newly formed interest to those deeply invested in eradicating racial discrimination, we invite you to join our team at RJC. We are seeking legal and non-legal volunteers to work alongside and support a dynamic team of pro-bono lawyers, subject matter experts in anti- discrimination law as well as like-minded university students and many professional volunteers in IT, operations and marketing. Your efforts in assisting with legal research, drafting documents, law reform submissions and supporting clients to assert their rights, building up our presence with social media campaigns and challenge systemic discriminatory practices, directly contributing to fighting for racial justice in our community.

Criteria

  • Available for immediate start

  • Available for 7-8 hours weekly (One full day or two half days) in Sydney close to the CBD and online.

  • Current university student

  • Minimum 80% WAM

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

  • Highly independent and proactive

  • Genuine passion for racial justice and racial equality

Rate of Pay: Unpaid

Duration of Employment: Ongoing

Application Closing Date: 29/2/2024

Additional Information: Please view this document

To Apply: Please submit your current CV and availability or direct any questions/enquiries to info@racialjustice.au. We would love to hear from you as we work to bring about a sweeping change in our nation’s conversation and legal standards around race discrimination.


Executive Assistant — Racial Justice Centre

About the Racial Justice Centre

Racial Justice Centre, a not-for-profit organisation and the pioneer of the first Australian Community Legal Service dedicated to racial justice, was founded in 2022 by lawyers with lived experiences. Operating as a company limited by guarantee, RJC is guided by an advisory committee comprising experts in law, academia, journalism, and the arts.

We are committed to using strategic litigation as a vehicle for pursuing and elevating the need for racial justice in the public domain: visit https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-26/woman-sues-nsw-police-claims-discrimination-road-rage-incident/102795076 to check out the ABC’s report on one of our cases. Our mission at RJC is clear: to eliminate racism and racial injustice through the legal system, education, and reform. Importantly, from the start to today, our organisation is sustained and driven by the dedication of volunteers.

Join the Movement for Justice

Are you passionate about justice and empowering marginalised voices? Do you believe that everyone deserves equal access to the legal system and the most basic rights to life, work and thrive individually and collectively? Are you tired of hearing discrimination swept under the rug by the media, government, workplaces and institutions?

From those with a newly formed interest to those deeply invested in eradicating racial discrimination, we invite you to join our team at RJC. We are seeking legal and non-legal volunteers to work alongside and support a dynamic team of pro-bono lawyers, subject matter experts in anti- discrimination law as well as like-minded university students and many professional volunteers in IT, operations and marketing. Your efforts in assisting with legal research, drafting documents, law reform submissions and supporting clients to assert their rights, building up our presence with social media campaigns and challenge systemic discriminatory practices, directly contributing to fighting for racial justice in our community.

Criteria

  • Available for immediate start

  • Attention to detail

  • Self-directed and ability to work without supervision

  • Strong organisation skills

  • Excellent time management

  • Excellent verbal and written communication

  • Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace and SharePoint)

  • Strong problem-solving skills

  • Willingness to work as part of a team and share information/expertise

Rate of Pay: Unpaid

Duration of Employment: Ongoing

Application Closing Date: 29/2/2024

Additional Information: Please view this document

To Apply: Please submit your current CV and availability or direct any questions/enquiries to info@racialjustice.au. We would love to hear from you as we work to bring about a sweeping change in our nation’s conversation and legal standards around race discrimination.


Volunteer Tutor — Foster the Future

75% of Foster youth don't graduate high school - Foster the Future volunteers are helping to change that. 

Use the knowledge you gained in High School to tutor a disadvantaged student. Foster the future is designed for university students and works on a semesterly basis for one hour a week.

About Foster the Future

Foster the Future is a charity founded by youth for youth, dedicated to to improving the lives of youth in out of home care. We match University Students who excelled in their high school subjects with high school Foster Youth in need of some extra help. Education can change a young person's life and this is the perfect opportunity for you to do something that can make a massive difference in people's lives.

What's involved?

Our tutors are matched with one student to conduct weekly tutoring. Matches are made based on subject requirements, geographical location, and occasionally gender. Tutoring occurs in a mutually convenient public location such as a library or local cafe and can involve going over content, and helping with study techniques. We also have an online tutoring program via Zoom to help foster kids in regional NSW access the same high quality tutoring. For those who want to make an even greater impact we have super tutor and team leader positions available as well!

Who are we looking for?

Our tutors are people who want to help make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged youth. We encourage all university students to apply, and we have a particular need for volunteers that fit any of the following descriptions (although, we strongly recommend all university students to apply even if they do not fit the following descriptions):

  • Male

  • Aboriginal/ Torres Strait Islander

  • Spent time in Out of Home Care

  • Have tutored before

We operate across all of Greater Sydney area and accept applications from people who live in every suburb, our suburbs in particular need of tutors include: Blacktown, Liverpool, Fairfield, Concord, Penrith, Campbelltown, Windsor, Ryde.

What will happen next?

After applying, should you pass initial screening, a member of our team will be in contact with you to arrange a phone interview. Following that, you will attend an online group training session where we will go over our guidelines as well as tutoring techniques. Foster the Future interviews and trains tutors in both January and late February to get you started with your student as soon as possible. Apply today to be considered.

Application Procedures

Apply to volunteer ASAP on our website at www.fosterthefuture.com.au/volunteer