We know making decisions around graduate or seasonal clerkship placements can be overwhelming. As your member organisation, we want to streamline this process for you as much as possible.
That’s why QLS has created the QLS Seasonal Clerkship and Graduate Recruitment Guidelines. The guidelines aim to provide students and firms transparency and consistency through the legal recruitment process and allows you the time to simultaneously consider offers received and make an informed decision that is right for you.
The recruitment 'cycle' commences with clerkship recruitment in July/August with programs operating across Summer One, Summer Two, Autumn and concluding in Winter. Priority graduate decisions for commencement in the following year are made in early August with open market commencing immediately afterwards.
Firms who only offer summer programs now wait until July/August to make their priority offers with open market opening shortly thereafter. This allows students more time to research and consider where they intend to pursue their legal career.
Key dates, the application process and current list of signatory firms are noted below.
Seasonal clerkship
Please note - all times refer to AEST i.e. Queensland time.
| Program | 2027 |
|---|---|
| Legal Careers Expo | 13 May 2026 |
| Applications open for clerkships | 13 July 2026 |
| Applications close for clerkships by 5pm AEST | 7 August 2026 |
| Offers for seasonal clerkships can be made from 9am AEST / QLD time | 7 October 2026 |
| Offers for seasonal clerkships must be accepted or declined by 1pm AEST / QLD time | 8 October 2026 |
| Summer 1 clerkship | Nov - Dec 2026 |
| Summer 2 clerkship | Jan - Feb 2027 |
| Autumn clerkship | April - May 2027 |
| Winter clerkship | June - July 2027 |
Application process
Each participating law firm has its own application process and clerkship offerings. Not all firms offer all 4 clerkship offerings.
Click on the firm you are interested in from the list below for information on their application pathway.
For practical advice on writing resumes and cover letters, refer to the tip sheet.
2026 Participating firms in the Seasonal Clerkship program
Graduate Program
Please note - all times refer to AEST i.e. Queensland time.
| Program | 2027 |
|---|---|
| Legal Careers Expo | 13 May 2026 |
| Offers for current staff/vacation clerks for graduate employment can be made from 9am AEST | 4 August 2026 |
| Offers for graduate positions to current staff/vacation clerks must be accepted or declined by 1pm AEST / QLD time | 5 August 2026 |
| Applications for Graduate positions open (open market) | 10 August 2026 |
| Applications for graduate positions close (open market) | 21 August 2026 |
| Offers for graduate positions can be made from 9am AEST/ QLD time | 24 September 2026 |
| Offers for graduate positions must be accepted or declined by 1pm AEST / QLD time | 25 September 2026 |
Graduate program commences | February 2027 |
Becoming a participating firm
Firms taking part in this initiative support Queensland’s legal student community and benefit from increased exposure to universities and students and a streamlined recruitment process.