Building sustainable justice systems in regional Western Australia requires more than recruitment. It requires long-term pathways that connect education, professional development and regional practice.

The Legal Education Access Pathways (LEAP) pilot is an initiative designed to strengthen those pathways.

Delivered in partnership with the University of Western Australia, the LEAP pilot supports law students to undertake extended regional internships with participating organisations across Western Australia.

Unlike short placement programs, LEAP focuses on longer placements with meaningful learning opportunities, allowing students to engage directly with regional practice while contributing to community-based legal work.

The program also addresses practical barriers that often prevent students from considering regional placements, including accommodation and travel support.

By providing structured supervision, academic recognition and practical experience in regional settings, the LEAP pilot aims to strengthen the early-career pipeline into regional justice work.

Over time, initiatives like LEAP can play an important role in building sustainable workforce pathways and strengthening access to justice across regional communities.