Programs
A range of different programs can assist you if you’re a lawyer planning on making the transition to practising in RRR Australia.
National Programs
Regional Coordinators for the Recruitment and Retention of lawyers in Rural, Regional and Remote (RRR) Australia
In May 2010, the Commonwealth Attorney-General, the Hon. Robert McClelland MP, announced $1.1 million in funding to boost the recruitment and retention of lawyers in RRR areas. The majority of this funding has been provided to the National Association of Community Legal Centres Inc. for the engagement of regional coordinators to develop strategies to attract and retain lawyers in selected RRR areas, including support for services to coordinate recruitment and to provide mentoring and professional support to lawyers for all Commonwealth Government-funded Legal Assistance Programs. Regional coordinators have now been engaged in western New South Wales, the Northern Territory, South Australia and north/west Queensland.
The regional coordinators provide assistance and support in RRR areas through:
- developing recruitment networks and strategies to recruit lawyers;
- developing a pool of possible applicants;
- assisting newly arrived lawyers to settle in;
- providing local support (advice on housing, education, transport, contacts, support networks);
- developing professional support and mentoring networks; and
- providing regular forums, communication, one-on-one assistance and links with the private sector.
The regional coordinators are skilled in professional transition support and community development and the team includes three lawyers who have worked within publicly funded legal assistance programs and the private profession. Using their knowledge and variety of RRR experiences, they aim to develop processes to ensure regional lawyers get better support both professionally and personally.
Contact the regional coordinators
North/west Queensland
Victoria Laing-Short
07 4724 3666
vlaing-short@qifvls.com.au
Western New South Wales
Sharon Tomas
02 6885 7751
sharon_tomas@clc.net.au
Northern Territory
Debi Bodden
08 8982 1137
debi_bodden@clc.net.au
South Australia
Barbara Rowe
08 8231 8929
barbara@wlssa.og.au
National Support
Helen McGowan
0417 245 710
rrraustralia@gmail.com
New South Wales
Regional Solicitor Program
Legal Aid New South Wales (NSW) works closely with private practitioners to provide legal services in rural, regional and remote areas. Legal Aid NSW introduced the Regional Solicitor Program (RSP) to recruit solicitors for legal aid work to improve access to legal services for rural, regional and remote communities by providing salary subsidy and other support to law firms.
The RSP provides employment opportunities for young solicitors in law firms in regional, rural and remote areas; and improved access to legal advice and representation for people in these areas, particularly those who are economically and socially disadvantaged.
More information is contained in the program guidelines.
Newlife NSW
Whether you’re looking for a new start, to retire or just to inject a bit of excitement into your life, there has never been a better time to make the move to the NSW coast or country. You could even be eligible for $7,000 to help with your move. There are heaps of opportunities, lifestyles and activities for individuals, for couples and for families. The only thing left to find is the place that’s right for you.
More information is available online
Country Change
Country Change is a collection of communities or Local Government Areas (LGA’s) that are working together to promote the wonderful opportunities that you will gain by moving to the country.
More information is available online
South Australia
Rural Jobs Register
The Law Society of South Australia (LSSA), on behalf of its Country Practitioners Committee, maintains a rural jobs register that offers rural member firms an opportunity to list employment opportunities.
Legal practitioners interested in working in rural areas of South Australia can contact the LSSA to find out more about the program, and also about available positions.
The LSSA also maintain a register of rural member firms that are prepared to offer placements for students undertaking practical legal training with the Law Society or Flinders University.
For more information, please contact the Law Society of South Australia by phone on (08) 8229 0222, or via email on ruraljobs@lawsocietysa.asn.au
Victoria
New Lawyers Program
The New Lawyers Program is a two-year course offered by Victoria Legal Aid to first and second year lawyers.
In the first year of the program, participants complete comprehensive induction and training while learning on the job through two six-month ‘training placements’ in specific program areas. In the second year participants build on their experience and skills through at least two ‘practise placements’ in Legal Aid offices across Victoria.
Participants spend at least one six-month placement practising in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Horsham, Shepparton or Warrnambool providing an excellent opportunity to experience life in regional Victoria and the different range of legal issues.
More information is available at Legal Aid Victoria.
Federation of Community Legal Centres (Vic) Law Graduate Scheme
The Federation commenced its Community Legal Centre Law Graduate Scheme in 2010. This program, funded by a Legal Services Board Grant, provides an opportunity for one law graduate per year to start their legal career in Victorian community legal centres.
The Scheme sponsors fees for the successful candidate’s practical legal training, and then offers a 12 month contract with three placements in Victorian CLCs, one of which is a rural and regional CLC (with housing assistance). Toward the end of the 12 month period, the Federation works with the graduate to identify ongoing employment opportunities within CLCs.
The Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) Mentoring Program
The LIV Mentoring Program links experienced legal practitioners with those seeking professional development, support or guidance.
This program provides an opportunity for practitioners to confidentially discuss practical legal and ethical issues with a LIV trained mentor.
The LIV Mentoring Program provides assistance by lawyers for lawyers and is available only to LIV members.
Western Australia
Country Lawyers Program
The Law Society of Western Australia (WA) has been a part of the WA-specific Country Lawyers Program since 2007, in partnership with Legal Aid WA, the Legal Practice Board of WA, Community Legal Centres, the Aboriginal Legal Service, Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Legal Services and both State and Commonwealth Governments.
Lawyers participating in the program are provided with specialised legal training at Legal Aid WA, with a focus on the areas of family law and domestic violence, preparing them for placements at participating partner agencies in regional areas around WA.
More information is available at Legal Aid Western Australia.