Strong academic record. Australian citizen. Permanent resident.
Graduate Program - Australia
Applications are closed.
Setting your career up for success
Our structured and tailored graduate program will give you all the tools you need for success.
Induction
Your training starts on day one where we bring all our graduates together for a week long induction. Here you’ll begin to build your network of contacts across the firm and you will find out more about what you can expect across your graduate program. You’ll hear from our Partners, senior lawyers and business operations teams to give you an insight into what life is like at Pinsent Masons.
Training and practice group rotation
Across your two-year program you will have the opportunity to rotate 4 times, for 6 months rotations across our practice groups. This will give you the opportunity to experience our different areas of practice, work with different partners and lawyers, and ultimately provide you the insights and experience you need on where your career path lies.
Your rotations will be supported by a structured training programme, designed to give you fundamental technical skills and knowledge of our practice areas, as well as focusing on your soft skill development. Our training is designed to give you the best chance of success, and critical skills that will be core to your success as a lawyer.
Finally, the firm will support you in your completion of your Practical Legal Training (PLT), through the College of Law. You will be able to access study leave to focus on your course, and have on-going support from your mentor, buddy and supervisor to put you in the best possible position.
Our local HR team will support you throughout your graduate program, through liaising with the wider business on rotations, to meeting with you regularly to offer support and guidance.
Salary
Graduate salaries are benchmarked against market rates for international firms in Australia and reviewed each year. This ensures that, alongside the outstanding training programme we offer, we also deliver an attractive and competitive remuneration package.
Entry requirements
To apply and be considered for an opportunity, you must meet the above criteria and/or have the ability to obtain appropriate working rights/visa. If you don’t meet the above criteria but there are mitigating circumstances, then reach out to our HR team to discuss.
Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents only.
What we're looking for
A focus on detail
With a conscientious approach, you’ll have the ability to read and absorb large amounts of reference material and spot errors quickly. You’ll be a stickler for detail when it comes to your own writing too, ensuring it’s always clear and accurate.
An interest in business
We’re a commercial law firm, so you’ll have a genuine interest in how business works. That means keeping up-to-date with the latest business issues, as well as appreciating how legal expertise can support and steer commercial organisations.
Intellectual capability
You’ve the intellectual curiosity to explore new approaches and ask others’ opinions. With an analytical approach, you think things through and weigh up the implications, but also have the capacity to think on your feet to find solutions.
Openness
You’ll be approachable, outgoing and confident engaging with people from different backgrounds and experiences to your own. Whether you’re communicating with colleagues or clients, you’ll understand the need to adapt your message to suit your audience.
Personal drive
You’ll need to combine a real desire to be the best with the energy, ambition and enthusiasm to go the extra mile to succeed. With a can-do attitude, you’re always open to learning from your experience, so you can be even better next time.
Personal responsibility
You understand that taking responsibility for your successes and acknowledging when things go wrong will help you to constantly improve and achieve your career aims. By knowing your strengths and weaknesses, you give others confidence in your abilities.
Positive impact
With the self-assurance to voice your own opinions and defend your point of view when you need to, you’ll be a convincing and persuasive communicator. But you’ll also have the self-awareness to ask for help when you need it.
Self-organisation
You understand priorities and monitor your progress towards set objectives. By being well-organised and planning and managing your work efficiently, you make sure you always deliver quality work on time.
Our recruitment process
We’ve designed our application process to ensure you’ll know the outcome in no more than four months after the application deadline. The below shows a typical recruitment and selection process. You’ll be given full details of the process in relation to your own recruitment as appropriate.
Qualification and beyond
Graduate retention
Our investment in your training means we’ll do everything possible to continue your career with us upon the completion of your program. We manage the number of graduates in the firm to maximise retention, whilst supporting the business. To do so, you will be given the highest quality of work, which will stretch you further, allowing you to quickly learn, develop and succeed.
Continuous Professional Development
After your program, you can look forward to a variety of development opportunities that will enable you to become a specialist in your chosen area. With a wide range of courses available through the Pinsent Masons Academy, as well as in your practice area, you’ll have plenty of scope to develop your skills, add to your responsibilities and build a successful career.
Virtual Pinsent Masons experience
Interested in a graduate position with us in future years? We have created a virtual work experience programme for candidates interested in applying for our graduate program available in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.
In our programme you’ll help a hypothetical Pinsent Masons client navigate some commercial challenges. You’ll gain practical skills to add to your CV while getting a flavour working life at Pinsent Masons.
Register and enrol here via the Forage virtual internship website.
Some frequently asked questions
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How many graduate positions do you offer each year?
The number of graduate positions we offer differs year on year, but typically we recruit around 10 for our offices across Australia.
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Do I get to choose my rotations?
We consider your preferences for rotations and do our best to accommodate those. However, we also balance our business needs and for that reason sometimes we may not be able to.
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What is your retention rate?
Retention of our graduates at the completion of the program is driven by business needs and the performance of our graduates. Whilst we aim to retain as many possible, it’s a good idea to keep an open mind about the practice area that you’d like to settle in.