Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be in my final year of law to apply for an internship?

No. The Foundation welcomes applications from all law students enrolled in a Victorian university, regardless of what stage they are up to in their course.

Do I need to provide an academic transcript with my application?

Ideally, yes. Where an original transcript has not been provided, we may request an original at the interview stage.

Is my academic record the key selection criteria?

Academic records are only one of the criteria used to select students for the Legal Policy Internship Program. Work experience, personal interests, volunteer work and extra curricular activities, such as involvement in a community organisation, are also considered. Where participating agencies require high order research skills, academic performance will be an important consideration. However, not all agency placements involve research based projects. Some agencies may require other skills such as organisational, consulting, relationship building, writing, campaigning or IT skills. The primary selection criteria will depend on the qualities required for each specific project.

What is the selection process?

Applications are sought between January and April each year, and interviews are conducted during early May. Selection for the program and notification to applicants is completed by early June.

Interviews are conducted in groups of 6 to 8. Prior to the formal part of the interview, applicants are served light refreshments and given time to meet each other. The Executive Director of the Foundation and the Internship Program coordinator conduct the interview, often with a representative of one of the participating agencies.

Information about the Internship Program, the agencies and the projects interns will be working on is provided in the interview. The purpose of the interview is not to put applicants in competition with each other, but to provide the Foundation with an opportunity to find out about applicants' interests and skills.

Who will be offered an internship and where will they be placed?

Unfortunately, there are always more applicants than internship positions. When selecting and placing an applicant, we take into account the skills, interests and the availability of the applicant. We also endeavour to open up the program to students from a wide range of Victorian universities and backgrounds.

Failure to be placed one year does not mean an applicant may not be successful the following year. If interviewed, the reasons for not being placed often relate to the timing of the projects and applicant availability, or the absence of a good match between the applicants' particular skills and a suitable internship project.

Does the internship have to be done in a four week block?

This depends on the agency. Agencies are encouraged to, and generally do, accommodate interns' study, work and volunteer commitments. We have found it helpful for interns to complete a concentrated induction period at the beginning of the placement.