Student Engagement
Student Engagement
Information for students and teachers on life as a barrister and the pathways to becoming a barrister
BECOMING A BARRISTER - click here to view the brochure
Welcome to the Victorian Bar’s Student Information webpage, brought to you by the Victorian Bar’s Student Engagement Committee (SEC).
What is the SEC?
The SEC was formed in 2010 with the objective of ‘demystifying’ the Bar by providing secondary school and tertiary students with a better understanding of the work of the Bar, and of the pathways to becoming a barrister. The SEC does this primarily by arranging barristers to speak to students at Victorian universities and secondary schools, and by creating and facilitating shadowing opportunities for students so that they can see what barristers do first-hand. Details of the Shadowing Programs run by the SEC are set out below.
The SEC is proud to be working together with the Victoria Law Foundation to help Victorian secondary school students better understand the law and their legal system.
The SEC hopes that you find the information on this page interesting and helpful. If you have any queries in relation to the information on this page, or if you wish to make an enquiry about having a barrister speak at your school or university, please feel free to contact the Student Engagement Committee: students@vicbar.com.au.
Watch barristers from the Victorian Bar talk about what it’s like being a barrister
What is a barrister? Why do they represent people who are obviously guilty? Are they different from other types of lawyers? How much experience do you need to become a barrister? These and other questions were answered in a webinar for Victorian Law Week 2022 hosted by the Victorian Bar. You can watch the video below.
Students take climate action fight to Court the Sharma case
A webinar panel discussion with three barristers discussing how eight students (and a nun) took the Federal Environment Minister to Court on climate change and the implications of this landmark decision for Australia’s future.
Useful links for students about the Bar and the Australian legal system
All you ever wanted to know about becoming a barrister - FAQ
The Supreme Court of Victoria has produced a video (‘One punch, a lifetime of consequences’) that gives insight into how criminal trials are run and features a companion booklet for students and teachers.
The Victoria Law Foundation also publishes useful guides about the legal system in general, as well as a range of educational resources for teachers and students.
The SEC Shadowing Program
The SEC's shadowing program matches a barrister mentor (or floor) with tertiary students and is particularly aimed at students who otherwise do not have links to the bar or may face barriers seeking a career at the bar. In 2024 the SEC is partnering with Victoria University, Deakin University, LaTrobe University and RMIT. If you are interested in participating, please speak with your faculty.
Work experience
The SEC does not currently offer a general secondary student work experience program.
The Victorian Bar’s Indigenous Justice Committee runs a five-day work experience program for Indigenous secondary school students. For more information, click here.
Some individual barristers are willing to offer work experience to high school students. If there are particular barristers you are interested in shadowing, you are welcome to contact them directly. You can search for barristers practising in a particular area by using the search function.
Contacts for schools and universities
Enquiries about school or university visits, or any other matters relating to the SEC and its work should be sent to students@vicbar.com.au