INDIGENOUS LAW CADETSHIP
PROGRAM SUMMARY
WHAT IS A CADETSHIP?
The Indigenous Law Cadetship provides an exciting opportunity for Indigenous
students to combine a Bachelor of Laws degree with a work experience placement at
the Legal Services Commission.
The Commission ‘sponsors’ the cadet in their academic studies and work
placements but the cadet is not an employee.
WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT?
Financial Assistance:
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A study allowance of $300 (before tax) per week from the first week of study
A 12 week paid work placement each calendar year.
A twice yearly lump sum payment of $500 at the commencement of Semester
1 and Semester 2, to assist with the costs of books and materials.
Note the Commission does not pay for or subsidise payment for university
studies.
Work Placements:
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Provide an excellent opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and confidence.
Undertaken for 12 weeks between November – March. Cadets are required to
work full time at 37.5 hours per week and to attend placement between 9am –
5pm each day.
The placement is an important part of the Cadetship and involves undertaking
meaningful work appropriate to your level of study. It can include
observations of court proceedings and client interviews, legal research,
attendance at community legal education events and administrative work such
as answering phones, booking appointments, file management, and
distributing publications. A cadetship workbook is to be completed each
placement outlining the activities attempted and completed
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
You are eligible to apply for a Cadetship if you:
 Are an Australian Resident, and
 Are of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
 Identify as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and
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Are accepted as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander in the
community in you live or have lived, and
Are enrolled full time in a Bachelor of Laws degree at a campus based in
Australia and have successfully completed the first year study, including the
core law subjects.
HOW DOES A CADETSHIP WORK?
Cadets must be approved by Indigenous Cadetship Support to participate and agree
to be bound by the requirements of the Indigenous Cadetship Support Program. The
Indigenous Cadetship Support Handbook outlines the core requirements of this
program.
During the academic year, cadets undertake 40 weeks annual tertiary study on a full
time basis. Cadets receive a study allowance of $300 per week (before tax), plus two
lump sum payments of $500 at the commencement of the Cadetship and at the
commencement of each subsequent year of study, and up to $1000 towards the
purchase of a study device.
Work placements involve meaningful work, appropriate to the cadet’s stage of study,
and are an important part of the Cadetship. They are supervised and provide an
excellent opportunity to develop skills and knowledge, develop professional and
personal self-confidence, and to gain a good understanding about the range of work
and opportunities within the Commission. Full time attendance at placements is
important to facilitate the development of appropriate skills and experience.
Attendance between 9am – 5pm is required to assist the business needs of the
Commission.
Placements are generally undertaken during the long break when Cadets works 12
weeks full-time. The cadet is paid for each placement to convey to the Cadet the
value of their work time. If this is not the best time for either the Commission or
Cadet, different work schedules can be negotiated to take account of business
requirements or the Cadet’s personal circumstances and to ensure optimal work
experiences for both the Cadet and Commission.
The Commission provides a mentor to assist the Cadet achieve successful work
placements.
Cadets are expected to perform to a satisfactory standard during the work
placement.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
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Students who fulfil the eligibility requirements set out above and in the
Indigenous Cadetship Support Handbook, and
Have successfully completed the first year of law studies, including the core
law subjects.
Have at least two full time semesters remaining for completion of studies.
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Have an interest in Legal Aid and in working as a lawyer at the completion of
their course.
HOW DO I APPLY?
To apply for a Cadetship, please complete an ‘Application for LSC Indigenous Law
Cadetship’ Form.
Your application must also include:
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A copy of your Confirmation of Enrolment statement
A copy of your most recent academic results including any further results
received during the open selection process
A copy of your resume
Confirmation of Aboriginal status
Send the application form along with versions of the above to the Commission
Applications should be received by the Commission no later than the closing date
stated in the advertisement
HOW ARE CADETS SELECTED?
Cadets are selected on the basis of academic results and relevant skills and
experience.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO:
Melanie Robinson
Indigenous Cadetship Co-ordinator
Melanie.Robinson@lsc.sa.gov.au
Phone 8111 5732
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RESPONSIBILITIES AS A CADET
Cadets are responsible for:
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Advising Centrelink about the proposed Cadetship commencement date if
receiving any Centrelink payments, including ABSTUDY.
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Ensuring they are enrolled full-time, before the commencement of each
semester; and attending all compulsory lectures and arranged tutorials.
•
Achieving satisfactory
requirements.
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Providing the Commission with copies of their academic record and evidence of
full time enrolment each semester.
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Attending work placements and achieving a satisfactory standard of work
performance.
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Notifying the Commission immediately of any changes in circumstances
including change of personal details (e.g. home address, phone number, email
address), changes in course enrolment and any changes that may affect
academic performance or the work placement.
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Responding promptly to Commission initiated contacts by telephone, email or
by letter.
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Maintaining contact with the Indigenous Cadetship Co-ordinator throughout the
academic year.
•
Providing an authority to release information between the University and the
Commission.
•
Promptly informing the Commission of any awards or media events that they
participate in during their cadetship and make proper attribution to the
Indigenous Cadetship Support Program.
•
To provide the Commission with a satisfactory National Police Clearance
(working with children and vulnerable persons) prior to the start of cadetship
and every three years following.
academic
results
in
accordance
with
course
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
At what stage of a degree is the Cadetship available?
Students must have successfully completed the first year of their law studies
(including core law subjects). Students may not be approved by the Indigenous
Cadetship Support Program if they have less than 12 months remaining to complete
their first undergraduate degree.
What support is available in the workplace?
The Indigenous Cadetship Co-ordinator provides day to day support and
supervision.
A work plan will be developed to support the Cadet during the placement.
Termination of Cadetship
The Cadetship may be terminated at any time due to:
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Unsatisfactory academic progress or work performance
•
Non-attendance at study or work
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Withdrawal from relevant full-time studies
Can I do summer school or winter school?
Students may not attend classes during business hours while on placement.
What happens if a subject is failed?
Cadets will be placed on probation if a subject is failed. The probation period will be
reviewed at the end of the following semester.
Cadets may also be placed on probation by the Commission for subject withdrawals
without reasonable cause.
Probation will include the student entering into a study plan that is approved by their
Law School to address progress difficulties. The study plan is not intended to be
punitive but rather recognition of past difficulties (if any) and strategies to overcome
these issues.
Cadets may be required to undertake repeat subjects in their own time.
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