VOLUNTEERS & PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING

The Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC) is a specialist, not-for-profit community legal centre (CLC), assisting migrants experiencing vulnerability in NSW by providing free legal information, advice, and casework services. 

As a community legal centre, we don’t receive major funding or take cases to make money, so our wonderful volunteers and practical legal training students are a vital part of our work. 

If you would like to learn more about our current volunteer and PLT opportunities, contact us at [email protected]

For solicitors, barristers and other professional volunteers interested in doing pro bono work, email your CV and a short outline of how you would like to contribute to [email protected].

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

Hear from volunteers Kat and Kristie about their work in IARC’s dedicated Domestic and Family Violence practice.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers at IARC help with tasks such as answering phones, client intake, booking appointments and data entry. We receive hundreds of enquiries a week through our website and phone lines, from clients who are financially disadvantaged, come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and often speak little or no English. 

Volunteers will gain valuable experience in supporting people in vulnerable situations. Many of our clients experience multiple layers of disadvantage including homelessness, low education levels, and disability. They may have experienced torture or trauma, and almost half of our clients have experienced, or are at risk of, family violence. Our volunteers support our legal team to ensure each client receives compassionate and timely legal assistance and information. 

Anyone can volunteer at IARC and qualifications are not required! Our volunteer roles suit people who have an interest in social justice, who are confident on the phone and with technology, and have good attention to detail. 

Please let us know if you have any specific skills or experience and we may be able to accommodate. 

Our volunteers commit a minimum of half a day per week, or a full day per fortnight for at least 3 months.  We can be flexible around uni timetables and other commitments, and of course if you need time off that’s fine with us!  

Currently, we only offer volunteering opportunities at the IARC office, during business hours. 

PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING (PLT) STUDENTS

IARC offers opportunities to complete your practical legal training for admission to legal practice in New South Wales. Our PLT students are asked to commit to a minimum of three days a week until completion of their hours. 

PLT students will receive training and supervision to assist with legal research, drafting, and other administrative and legal tasks, as well as observing client appointments.   

IARC’s PLT students may have the opportunity to do country information research for protection visa applications or assist lawyers in drafting submissions to the Department of Home Affairs. PLT students will have direct experience speaking to clients and other tasks could include assisting with drafting legal documents and statements relevant to their visa applications.  

While we generally ask our PLT students to work in the office a minimum of 3 days per week, please let us know if you require flexibility in completing your hours and we would be happy to discuss. 

Kristie, an IARC volunteer, has learnt about pathways and support options available to people experiencing domestic violence and visa issues.
Vivienne, an IARC volunteer, says that the team are very welcoming and she felt very well-supported.