The Ultimate Australian Law Graduate CV Checklist for 2026

Navigating the competitive Australian legal job market as a graduate in 2026 requires more than just a strong academic record; it demands a flawless CV that grabs the attention of busy recruiters. Your CV is your first impression, a marketing document that needs to clearly and concisely articulate why you're the best candidate for the role. Use this ultimate checklist to ensure your CV is polished, professional, and ready to land you that crucial first interview.

1. Contact Details & Professional Headline

This section should be clean, professional, and easy to find at the top of the page.

• Full Name: Make it bold and slightly larger than the rest of the text.

• Phone Number: Use a professional mobile number.

• Email Address: Your email should be simple and professional (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com).

• Location: List your city and state (e.g., "Applecross, WA"). You don't need your full street address.

• LinkedIn Profile: Include a customised URL to your professional and up-to-date LinkedIn profile.

• (Optional) Professional Headline: A brief, one-line summary under your name can be effective. For example, "Final-year Juris Doctor candidate with a demonstrated interest in commercial litigation."

2. Education

This is arguably the most important section for a graduate. Present your academic qualifications clearly and in reverse chronological order.

• University & Degree: State the full name of your university and your degree (e.g., "Bachelor of Laws (Honours)").

• Graduation Date: List your expected or actual graduation month and year.

• Academic Results: Include your WAM (Weighted Average Mark) or GPA. If it's strong (e.g., Distinction average or higher), make it prominent. If it's not a key selling point, you can be more subtle, but don't omit it entirely as firms will ask.

• Honours/Thesis (if applicable): If you completed an honours thesis, include the title and a brief one-sentence description of your research.

• Relevant Coursework/Electives: List 3-5 high-level electives that are directly relevant to the practice area you're applying for (e.g., "Insolvency Law," "Intellectual Property," "Contract Law II").

• Academic Awards & Scholarships: List any prizes, scholarships, or dean's list mentions you have received.

3. Legal Experience

This is where you demonstrate your practical legal skills. Detail all relevant experience, including paid and unpaid roles.

• Clerkships & Internships: These are gold. List the firm/organisation, your title, and the dates.

• Paralegal/Legal Assistant Roles: Even part-time roles during your degree are highly valuable.

• Volunteer Work: Include experience at Community Legal Centres (CLCs) or other not-for-profit legal organisations.

• Focus on Achievements, Not Just Duties: For each role, use 3-4 bullet points. Instead of saying "Responsible for legal research," try "Conducted complex legal research on corporate governance matters using Westlaw AU and Lexis Advance, contributing to a senior partner's advice." Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to frame your achievements.

4. Professional Experience (Non-Legal)

Don't underestimate your non-legal work experience. This section is where you prove you have essential transferable skills.

• Role & Employer: List any part-time jobs in retail, hospitality, tutoring, etc.

• Highlight Key Skills: Frame your responsibilities to showcase skills that lawyers need.

  • Customer Service: Demonstrates client communication, empathy, and problem-solving.

  • Teamwork: Shows you can collaborate effectively.

  • Time Management: Juggling a job with a law degree proves you can handle pressure and deadlines.

  • Attention to Detail: Mention tasks like cash handling or inventory management.

5. Extracurricular Activities & Leadership

Firms want to hire well-rounded individuals, not just legal robots. This section shows your personality and soft skills.

• University Societies: Mention any involvement, especially in law-related societies. If you held a committee position (e.g., "Treasurer for the Law Students' Society"), highlight this as evidence of leadership and responsibility.

• Mooting/Competitions: Detail your participation in mooting, negotiations, or client interview competitions. This is direct evidence of your advocacy and practical legal skills.

• Volunteering & Community Involvement: Shows social awareness and commitment.

• Sporting or Creative Pursuits: Briefly mention other interests to show you're a balanced person.

6. Skills

Create a dedicated section for your technical and language skills.

• Legal Research: List the platforms you are proficient in (e.g., Westlaw AU, Lexis Advance, CCH IntelliConnect).

• Technical Proficiency: Include Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

• Languages: Specify your proficiency level (e.g., "Fluent in Mandarin," "Conversational in French").

7. Referees

Keep this section simple and professional.

• The Standard: The most common and accepted practice is to simply write: "Available upon request."

• Prepare Your Referees: Have a list of 2-3 professional or academic referees ready to go. Ensure you have asked for their permission beforehand and have provided them with a copy of your CV.