Aboriginal Graduate Solicitor/Policy Officer
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Department: Maliyan Program Graduates and Cadets
Department/Agency: Department of Communities and Justice
Location: Parramatta, NSW, AU, 2150
Req ID: 83288
Graduate Aboriginal Solicitor/Policy Officer Maliyan Program Department of Communities and Justice
Location – Sydney (regional locations will be considered) Employment type – Ongoing Salary – Legal Officer – Grade I - III, Base Salary ($79,322 - $134,458), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only.
Your role
Undertake a range of legal activities in the relevant area/s of law or policy to contribute to efficient and effective legal support services and policy reform for the Law Reform and Legal Division within the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).
What you’ll do
As a graduate of the Maliyan Program you will be working in positions throughout the Law Reform and Legal Services (LRLS) Division. The Maliyan Program provides the opportunity for Legal Graduates to commence their careers in a supportive and flexible working environment. The Maliyan Program is for a period of 24 months, the role is considered ongoing upon the successful completion of the program. You will be supported in applying for and obtaining permanent employment within the LRLS division.
Throughout the Maliyan Program, you will have the opportunity to rotate positions throughout the LRLS Division. If you are undergoing a Practical Legal Training Program, employment under the Maliyan Program may contribute towards the practical component that program.
Where suitable to you, your circumstances and your employer, your role can be flexible to include remote work, part time work or regional locations throughout NSW.
In your role, you will be working as part of a team to deliver legal support services and/or policy legislative reform. You will undertake legal and policy research and analysis, document drafting, assisting with stakeholder engagement and the provision of legal and policy advice under the supervision of your manager.
The majority of roles under the program are in the DCJ Legal and Policy, Reform and Legislation branches, however, there may be opportunities for roles within other branches throughout the LRLS Division.
The DCJ Legal branch is responsible for providing legal and litigation support to clients within the community and justice sectors and ensuring the common law and statutory powers of the Attorney General are exercised in accordance with the law. Spread across eight different practice groups DCJ Legal branch’s role is to:
- Provide legal advice to internal and external stakeholders
- Provide litigation and dispute resolution services to internal and external stakeholders
- Provide representation and advocacy services to internal and external stakeholders
- Ensure the department’s governance and compliance with current laws
- Provide Open Government, Information & Privacy services, including determining applications made under the GIPA Act and facilitating access to information under the Commonwealth Redress Scheme and via subpoenas/statutory notices and orders
The Policy Reform and Legislation branch supports the development of the legislative program and provides parliamentary and administrative support services. This is primarily for the Attorney General but also includes a range of Ministers who have responsibility in the communities and justice sectors. Policy, Reform and Legislation branch is responsible for ensuring that the legal and policy framework of the Department is aligned with the government's current priorities. Policy Reform and Legislation's role is to:
- identify the need for, and formulate changes to, the law and criminal justice system,
- ensure quality legal policy advice is provided to the portfolio Ministers and to government,
- implement the portfolio Ministers' legislative programs, and
- inform the community about changes to, and the operation of, legislation within the relevant portfolios.
For more information on the Maliyan Program, click here.
What we’re looking for
- A passionate, driven graduate who is looking for a challenging and rewarding preview to the NSW Government, where you can make a difference from within.
- Completion of a law degree from an accredited law school or completion of the Legal Practitioners Admission Board’s Diploma in Law Course within the past 12 months or expected completion within three months of application.
- This role is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants only.
- Willingness to undertake a Working with Children Check.
- Willingness to travel for regional or interstate commitments
As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia’s First Nations people
Where a position is identified, an applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.
There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted:
Confirmation of Aboriginality form
or
Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:
- is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
- identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
- is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
Download the role description.
To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.
Alternative application method
If you are unable to locate this role on the DCJ Careers portal, please submit your application directly here:
For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-dcj/pathways/careers-for-aboriginal-people.html
What We Offer
We offer a variety of benefits, including:
- A challenging and rewarding career
- Flexible, autonomous work environment
- Competitive pay and conditions
- Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
- Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.
We do work that really matters
Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.
Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!
Are you ready to join us?
Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).
Applications close: Sunday, 21 June 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Annie Macleod on 0437 395 039 or at ***email_hidden***
If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Lois Jebin at [email protected]
Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.
Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit
We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers, and other diversity groups.
To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.
Other Information
A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.
For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website (for all roles except Aboriginal Identified).
Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.
To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/
