Indigenous Justice Opportunities

Aurora Legal Internship Program

The ANU College of Law supports and encourages student participation in the Aurora Internship Program. The Aurora Internship Program introduces law students and graduates to career opportunities in native title, land rights, policy development, research and social justice, all with an Indigenous focus.

The Aurora Internship Program co-ordinates internships for students and graduates in Law. There are two intakes annually during the summer and winter university breaks, for four to six weeks. It is preferable for legal applicants to be in their final year of study and be enrolled or have completed Property Law.

Events with an Indigenous Law Focus

The ANU College of Law regularly organises Indigenous Law focused events, such as the Visiting Judges Program: Taking Indigenous experience into account in sentencing, and the screening of the movie After the Apology.

For all our upcoming events, please refer to our News & Events webpage.

Indigenous Reconciliation Project

The ANU College of Law and the Law Reform and Social Justice program started the Indigenous Reconciliation Project, which provides students with the opportunity to engage in law reform activities that promote Indigenous Reconciliation – strengthening the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.

This is a student-led project that meets regularly as a team and with academics in the College to plan our activities and research projects, and develop our ideas for future ventures.

Past Projects of the Reconciliation Project include:

The ‘Options for Truth Telling in the ACT’ project produced factsheets and a report for the Minister.
Inaugural Indigenous Law Reform and Advocacy Competition at ANU
Launch of the ‘Raise the Age Campaign’
Law reform submission to the Northern Territory Treaty Commission
Panel discussion regarding the ‘raise the age’ campaign

For more information on the project and how to get involved, please visit their website.

Legal Education for True Justice: Indigenous Perspectives and Deep Listening on Country

This on-country intensive course (LAWS4307 / LAWS6307) aims to equip students with knowledge to critically assess law's history, characteristics and impacts from the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Central to the course is the examination of the adequacy of the current state of Australian legal education, legal practice, law and justice in relation to First Nations peoples, with a view to possibilities for reform.

This course involves an on-country experience in Central Australia, beginning in Mparntwe/ Alice Springs and travelling through to Uluru.

In 2024, the field trip will take place over a period of 7 days, from Saturday 6 April to Saturday 13 April.

Applications

Open: Friday 29 September 2023
Close: Thursday 26 October at 11:59pm
Expected decision date: end November

Apply here

Important information about this course

Cost of Field Trip and Travel Grant Available

The cost of the field trip is evaluated $1,600 - $2,000 per student.

In 2024, students chosen for this opportunity will automatically be 'pre-approved' for the ANU Law Careers and Employability Travel Grant (amount to be determined).

Please note that the travel grant may not cover the entire cost for this field trip. Students are expected to cover the difference.

Students who are experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to also apply for the Yuill Bursary to support ANU College of Law students in order to cover the difference.

Student Profile & Short Film

Aaron Bronitt, a Bachelor International Security Studies/Laws (Hons) student at ANU, reflects on how the course has transformed his understanding about how lawfulness and justice are constructed and performed.

You can view a short film on the Indigenous Perspectives and Deep Listening on Country course and field trip here.

Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony

The ANU College of Law hosts an annual Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony event. Held in the first week of semester one, this annual welcome event provides us all with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the land on which the Australian National University (ANU) campus rests and those who have been its traditional custodians for millennia.

This event is wonderful opportunity for our entire ANU College of Law academic and student community to learn more about the traditional custodians, customs and Country as well as to meet fellow students and lecturers.