Graduate and Clerkship Programs

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Kick-start your career

Graduate Program

Our graduates are our future leaders. With that in mind, we offer a robust graduate program to kick-start your career in law.

Barry Nilsson graduates receive the best training, support and mentorship to help shape the foundations for their future legal careers.

If BN sounds like the firm you want to start your legal career, please apply for our graduate program. In some graduate intakes we will fill the positions directly from our vacation clerk program.

Applications are currently closed
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Gain real-world experience

Vacation Clerkships

Our vacation clerkships are held in our Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart offices over the summer and/or winter university breaks. Our programs give clerks the unique opportunity to gain experience and insight into our firm, practice areas and culture.

Working as a vacation clerk with us can often be the stepping stone to an ongoing position with the firm as a law clerk or graduate.

Applications are currently closed

Program Details

  • Brisbane Clerkship Program

    Brisbane will be holding four‑week vacation clerkship programs throughout the year. Brisbane clerks will rotate through our insurance and health teams, or be based within our family law team. The Brisbane vacation clerkship programs are open to penultimate year students.

    • Applications for clerkships open: Monday, 13 July 2026
    • Applications for clerkships close: Friday, 7 August 2026
    • Offers will be made: Wednesday, 7 October 2026
    • Offers to be accepted or declined: Thursday, 8 October 2026

  • Melbourne Clerkship Program

    Melbourne clerks experience a clerkship program within our defendant insurance team. The Melbourne vacation clerkship is open to penultimate and final year students.

    • Applications for clerkships open: 9.00 am, Monday 6 July 2026
    • Applications for clerkships close: 11.59pm, Sunday 9 August 2026
    • Offers will be made: From 10.00am, Thursday, 15 October 2026
    • Offers to be accepted or declined: Friday, 16 October 2026

  • Sydney Clerkship Program

    Sydney clerks experience a clerkship program within our defendant insurance team. The Sydney vacation clerkship is open to penultimate year students.

    • Applications for clerkships open: 9.00 am, Wednesday 10 June 2026
    • Applications for clerkships close: 11.59pm, Sunday 12 July 2026
    • Offers will be made: 9.00am, Wednesday 9 September 2026
    • Offers to be accepted or declined: 1.00pm, Thursday 10 September 2026

  • Hobart Clerkship Program

    Hobart clerks experience a clerkship program within our defendant insurance team. The Hobart vacation clerkship is open to penultimate and final year students. The 2026 Hobart Vacation Clerkship program will run for 4 weeks in late November / December so applicants will need to be available during this time.

    • Applications for clerkships open: Wednesday, 3 June 2026
    • Applications for clerkships close: Sunday, 5 July 2026
    • Offers will be made: Thursday, 30 July 2026
    • Offers to be accepted or declined: Friday, 31 July 2026

  • Other Cities

    Our Adelaide and Perth offices also have opportunities for Vacation Clerks and Graduates. These will be advertised on an as needed basis on our Current Opportunities page here.

“Throughout the BN clerkship and graduate programs, BN has invested in my development through structured training, close mentorship and regular constructive feedback. Learning within a community of approachable solicitors who are generous with their time and invested in my growth has sharpened my technical legal skills, built my confidence and given me a strong foundation for a sustainable legal career.”

Zoe Nicholson – Brisbane 2025 Graduate and 2024 Vacation Clerk

“During the BN graduate program, I received incredible mentorship, guidance, and training. I had the opportunity to work alongside accomplished lawyers across a wide range of complex matters which provided a great start to my legal career. I was continually supported through the year with ongoing training and learning opportunities, alongside genuine wellbeing support. I feel lucky to have started my career in such a supportive environment.”

Lexi Blackburn – Melbourne 2025 Graduate

Application Tips and FAQ’s

  • Your Application

    Applications for graduate and vacation clerkship positions should contain:

    • A covering letter
    • Your resume
    • A copy of your academic transcript
    • Any further material you feel may be relevant

  • Application Tips

    Here are some tips when writing your application:

    • Your cover letter is a great way to demonstrate your written communication skills
    • List all of your working experience, even if it isn’t from a legal background. There are always transferable skills!
    • Tell us about any extracurricular and leadership experience
    • We like to see a demonstrated understanding of our firm and what we do

  • Interview tips

    Here are some tips to help you with the interview process:

    • Have a good understanding of your CV as we like to go through your experience and extracurriculars
    • Show us that you know a bit about the firm
    • Do your best to keep your answers relevant to the question and at a reasonable length
    • We know it’s easier said than done – but be yourself! We encourage, support and celebrate our people being their true selves

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