Relocating from New Zealand
Join our Australian team
Kia ora, Aotearoa! If you're looking for your next career challenge there's never been a better time to jump the ditch.
Allens is a leading international law firm with a long and proud heritage of shaping the future for our clients, our people and the communities in which we work.
We're looking for talented New Zealand-trained lawyers to join our team.
Want to grow your career by working with leading lawyers on complex, trailblazing matters for high-profile clients? Check out our current opportunities, ask us a question or submit an expression of interest.
Relocation stories from our team
Curious about what it's like to relocate to Australia and work at Allens? Get the inside scoop with our podcast, Allens Confidential. In this episode, our hosts are joined by two of our Kiwi colleagues, Managing Associate Laura Hablous and Lawyer Andrew Lee.
Laura and Andrew discuss their journeys to Australia from the land of the long white cloud, the logistics of transferring qualifications and what it's like to start a whole new life in a whole new city (along with a whole new job).
What are the opportunities?
From short-term contracts to permanent roles at all levels of seniority, we have many opportunities available. Interested in joining us but not sure where you fit? Submit an expression of interest and we'll be in touch.
Experienced hires
Permanent roles across our practice areas
Allens Adapt
Flexible legal contracts with market-leading clients. Learn more.
What's involved?
Getting admitted to practice law in Australia is a straightforward process for NZ-qualified lawyers, and we're here to help.
NZ lawyers can apply for admission in Australia under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Legislation, which applies in each state and usually takes two to three months — significantly shorter than other overseas practitioners. You don't need to undertake additional study.
As with all overseas practitioners, you'll need to refer to yourself as such (eg 'Overseas Practitioner (admitted in New Zealand only)') until you're admitted in Australia and then hold an Australian practising certificate. You look after the completion and submission of your documentation, but we're here to provide guidance and you can apply for reimbursement from the firm for any fees you pay.
We offer assistance with relocation on a case-by-case basis. This may include flights, freight, temporary accommodation and expenses. You can also apply for reimbursement for any fees related to your practising certificate.
Allens encourages flexible working across all our offices and this includes working from home. However, to accept a role with Allens you will need to be based in Australia, and we provide support and assistance for you to relocate.
Allens is a top-tier law firm with offices throughout Australia and Asia. With almost 200 years of experience behind us, we are Australia's longest continuously running legal partnership, and hold some of the world's longest ongoing client relationships.
From playing a pioneering role in the development of legislation and regulatory frameworks in the Asia region for almost 200 years, to acting on numerous 'firsts' across a range of industry and community issues, it is in our DNA to make a difference and help shape what our world looks like. Through our alliance with UK magic circle firm Linklaters, we have access to a global network of 40 offices in 28 locations. Find out more about our firm.
We work closely with a broad base of clients from almost every sector, ranging from government and healthcare through to infrastructure, media and banking. Our practice groups are designed to offer the full suite of services to meet our clients' needs in each of those sectors. Find out more about our sectors and practice groups.
We also see it as our responsibility to use our skills and resources to help others in the community. Our people contribute their time and expertise to work on community initiatives and pro bono matters, with a particular focus on alleviating disadvantage, advancing reconciliation between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, improving access to justice, and promoting sustainability. Find out more about our approach to pro bono and community.
Job titles are different between countries and firms. At Allens, you'll likely join us as a Lawyer, Associate or Senior Associate depending on your skills and experience. Whatever your job title, the Allens Experienced Hires team will work with you to explain where you fit in our family and ensure you're placed in a cohort of lawyers with similar levels of experience.
Please either fill out an application for a current role, ask a question or register your interest. If we're a match, we'll be in touch to discuss the next steps.