Victorian Government Solicitors Office
Last Updated in 2016
Field of Law
Stage of Career
Contact Details
Address: Level 33, 80 Collins Street, Melbourne Vic Australia 3000
Phone: (03) 8684 0444
Visit the VGSO website
Contact person: Beth Buist, Managing the Trainee and Graduate Programs
Email: beth.buist@vgso.vic.gov.au
Description of Organisation
The Victorian Government Solicitor's Office (VGSO) provides strategic advice and practical legal solutions to Victorian state government and its statutory authorities. Our clients face a wide range of legal issues and are looking for legal advice and solutions that offer meaningful outcomes and effective risk management, given their unique government context.
Practice areas:
- Administrative Decision Making & Review
- Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Constitutional Law & Intergovernmental Relations
- Disciplinary Proceedings & Prosecutions
- Emergency Management
- Human Rights & Equal Opportunity
- Inquests
- Technology & Data Protection
- Land, Planning & Environment
- Intellectual Property, Communications & Technology
- Land& Natural Resources
- Planning, Heritage & Environment
- Policing
- Projects& Procurement
- Public Sector Governance & Integrity
- Workplace Relations & OH&S
Number of positions within organisation: 157 legal, 68 support staff
Information for university students/graduates
Number of graduates taken per year: To be confirmed
How to apply
Email humanresources@vgso.vic.gov.au the following:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Copy of legal academic transcript
Dates for application
Graduate traineeship Dates: (check website for exact dates)
- Open: Mid-July
- Close: Mid-August
- Interviews commence: September
- Offers made: Late September
- Traineeships commence: Early March 2014
Seasonal Clerkship Dates
- Open: Mid-July
- Close: Early August
- Interviews commence: Mid-September
- Offers made: 1st week October
- Clerkships commence: July the following year
Interview process
Graduate traineeship - First and second round interview process, followed by reference checks.
Seasonal Clerks - One stage interview process, followed by reference checks.
What they are looking for in a graduate
The VGSO places great emphasis on core values; professionalism and working together. During the recruitment process for the Seasonal Clerks and Trainees the VSGO looks for candidates who are interested and committed to working in Government law, appreciate the importance of client responsiveness, demonstrate the requirements of acting as a model litigant, are friendly and take pride in their work.
The VSGO select Trainees and Seasonal Clerks who are motivated, demonstrate initiative and good interpersonal skills, have strong academic results, lead balanced lives and have a passion for working in the public interest.
Qualifications/skills required
Graduate traineeship - final year of study to obtain legal qualifications
Seasonal Clerks - penultimate year of study to obtain legal qualifications.
Volunteer opportunities
All available opportunities are advertised on the VGSO website
