The Australian College of Applied Professions and the Law Institute of Victoria announced on Monday a new First Nations scholarship aimed at creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law graduates.
The First Nations scholarship covers 100 per cent of the course fees for one eligible student enrolled in Australian College of Applied Professions' Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) in each intake to complete their Practical Legal Training.
As per the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner Report 2021-2022 practising year, of the 26,651 lawyers with a legal practising certificate in Victoria, less than one per cent identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Tarwirri is a membership body comprising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal professionals, law graduates, and law students, which aims to enhance the representation, professional profile and excellence of its members within the Victorian legal landscape and broader communities.
Torres Strait Islander woman and Tarwirri member, Shona O'Brien, was awarded the inaugural First Nations Scholarship.
ACAP chief executive, George Garrop, expressed his enthusiasm for the new scholarship, which he said supports "positive change" within the legal profession.
"Through this new scholarship and our partnership with the Law Institute of Victoria, we aim to provide First Nations law graduates with financial support, access to industry-led learning and meaningful connections within the legal profession," Mr Garrop said.
"Furthermore, we acknowledge the invaluable perspectives that First Nations students bring to the classroom and contribute to the wider ACAP community.
"With this collaboration, we are dedicated to breaking down barriers and cultivating a more diverse and inclusive legal workforce. This scholarship is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to supporting First Nations law graduates on their journeys towards becoming legal practitioners."
Law Institute of Victoria CEO Adam Awty emphasised the importance of creating pathways for First Nations peoples within the legal profession.
"This new scholarship contributes to addressing the barriers faced by First Nations peoples in entering the legal profession and reinforces our dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion across the legal sector," he said.
"As the peak body for Victoria's legal profession, representing more than 18,000 lawyers and professionals working in law, we have a responsibility to actively address inequities and create opportunities for Indigenous law students.
"We are grateful for the support of Tarwirri in assisting us and bringing awareness of this opportunity to the Indigenous law community."
The College's GDLP course "stands out" for being developed in partnership with the Law Institute of Victoria and in being developed to meet the demands of legal employers. All enrolled students also receive a one-year complimentary Institute membership.
First Nations Scholarship applications for the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice are now open and eligibility criteria and more information is available online.
