Attorney-General's Department German Referendar Program

The German Referendar Program offers successful applicants the opportunity to be placed in a dynamic team within the Attorney-General's Department in Canberra, Australia.

Your experience as a participant in this program will allow you to learn about the Australian legal system and the operation of the Australian Government. You will be placed in a legal policy development or casework area of the department for up to 3 months.

A 'referendar' or ‘referendarin’ is a German trainee lawyer who, after completing university, receives 2 years of practical judicial and legal training before sitting a state examination for legal admission. The training can include time spent working in a foreign jurisdiction.

Working with us

We are primarily located in Canberra, Australia’s capital. We have wide-ranging responsibilities aimed at maintaining and improving Australia’s law and justice framework.

Currently, several of our teams participate in the program. Placement options will be discussed with applicants during the application process.

Most placements go for approximately 3 months; however flexible date options are available.

Participants are responsible for meeting their own costs for participating in the program. We cannot provide remuneration or assistance with living expenses.

Referendar participants are also responsible for obtaining their own accommodation and applying for visas to travel to and work in Australia. While the department cannot formally assist with obtaining accommodation or applying for a visa, we are able to share suggestions and guidance from past participants with successful applicants, as well as practical tips on living in Canberra.

Canberra is the seat of Australia's Federal Parliament, the High Court of Australia and home to most government departments and agencies. Program participants will have the opportunity to attend parliamentary sittings and High Court hearings as an observer. These experiences are designed to provide participants with an introduction to Australia's common law tradition.

You will also be invited to share information about your own legal system with your Australian colleagues and share your insights on how a civil law country – like Germany – approaches or has resolved a legal issue.

During the placement, participants are entitled to regular time off, including holiday days, sick days, and study days. We are committed to ensuring that participants are able to fully participate in their other referendar program requirements while working with us.

Our work is conducted exclusively in English. Applicants should have a high level of professional English.

Application dates

Note: the following requirements apply for placements beginning after 30 June 2027. If you have already applied for a placement before this, these deadline requirements do not apply to your application.

We run referendar placements throughout the year and placements can have any start or end date.

Because of the time required to process and finalise placements, applicants must apply for a placement at least 9 months before the relevant period in which their placement will begin.

The following periods and application deadlines apply:

• For placements beginning between 1 January and 30 April, the deadline for applications is 31 March of the previous year.
• For placements beginning between 1 May and 31 August, the deadline for applications is 31 July of the previous year.
• For placements beginning between 1 September and 31 December, the deadline for applications is 31 November of the previous year.

These deadlines relate to the date a placement starts. A placement can span across 2 periods.

Example: Lucas applies for a placement from 2 May to 2 August 2028. Because the start date for Lucas’ placement is in May, he should apply by 31 July 2027.

Example: Sara applies for a placement from 14 April to 14 July 2028. Sara’s placement will span 2 periods. However, because the start date for Sara’s placement is in April, she should apply by 31 March 2027.

After the application deadline for each period, we will consider all applications and arrange for a virtual interview with shortlisted applicants. Interviews will be in English and can be conducted over phone, or via Microsoft Teams or a similar platform.

If you are successful, you will receive a letter of offer together with information about your time with us.

Security checks

Participants will need to undergo a security assessment before starting their placement. You will need to provide certain documents to enable us to perform a security background check.

While working with us, there will also be restrictions on the type of information you can access. We will provide successful applicants with more information about the security assessment process and our security requirements.

Successful applicants will be notified at least 6 months before the start date of the period in which the placement begins.

Application process

If you are interested in a placement, send your application to referendar@ag.gov.au.

Your application should include:

• a covering letter in English that outlines why you are interested in a placement with the department and the proposed dates of your Wahlstation
• your curriculum vitae in English
• a copy of your First Judicial State Exam (translation not required).