PLT start dates

When can I start Practical Legal Training?

IOLT has no fixed semester intakes. Applications are reviewed year-round, and eligible students can start after accepting their offer and completing the enrolment steps.

Check your eligibility
Law graduate preparing to begin Practical Legal Training
Apply year-roundNo semester intake dates
Start after your offerOnce enrolment steps are complete
24 weeksCoursework and workplace experience
100% online courseworkStudy from anywhere in Australia
The short answer
Anytime.

Your start date depends on your eligibility, not a semester calendar.

If your Australian law degree is complete, you can apply when your completion evidence or final transcript is ready. Once IOLT approves your application, you accept the offer and complete enrolment, you can begin.

If you are still completing your degree or you qualified overseas, there may be additional steps before commencement. The pathway below shows what applies.

Find your pathway

When can you start?

Choose the situation that matches where you are in your academic pathway.

Degree complete

Australian LLB or JD graduate

Apply when your final transcript or completion evidence is available. If your application is approved, you can start after accepting your offer and completing enrolment.

Still studying

Eligible final-year student

An early start may be possible where:

  • all Priestley 11 subjects are complete;
  • no more than two non-prescribed electives remain; and
  • prior written approval has been obtained.

Read the early-start guide →

Overseas degree

Overseas-qualified applicant

Obtain the relevant academic assessment first. You can start after any required Australian law subjects or other conditions identified in that assessment have been addressed.

View the overseas pathway →

How commencement works

From application to your first day

There is no separate intake application. Your commencement follows the normal assessment and enrolment process.

01

Check your pathway

Confirm whether you are applying as an Australian graduate, an early-start applicant or an overseas-qualified applicant.

02

Submit your documents

Provide the academic and identity material relevant to your pathway so IOLT can assess your application.

03

Receive and accept your offer

If you meet the entry requirements, IOLT will issue an offer and confirm the remaining enrolment steps.

04

Start your PLT

Once the required enrolment steps are complete, you can begin the 24-week online program.

Planning ahead

Working towards an admission date?

Your PLT course runs for 24 weeks and includes 20 days of supervised workplace experience. If you have a preferred admission ceremony or employment start date, work backwards from the admitting authority's deadlines.

Allow time after PLT for your completion documents to be issued and for the relevant admitting authority to process your admission application. Those admission dates and processing times are controlled by the authority, not IOLT.

Practical planning point: apply when your academic documents are ready and start planning your workplace experience early in the course.

Have these ready when you apply

  • Academic transcript or completion evidence
  • Identity documents requested in the application
  • Any early-start approval relevant to your pathway
  • Academic assessment for an overseas qualification
  • A preliminary workplace experience plan if you already have one
Common questions

PLT start-date FAQs

Does IOLT have fixed PLT intake dates?
No. IOLT reviews applications year-round. Eligible applicants can begin after accepting their offer and completing the required enrolment steps rather than waiting for a semester intake.
Can I start PLT immediately?
Your start depends on the eligibility assessment, the documents you provide, acceptance of your offer and completion of the enrolment steps. Apply when your documents are ready so IOLT can confirm your pathway.
Can I start PLT before graduating?
In limited circumstances, an early start may be possible after all Priestley 11 subjects are complete, no more than two non-prescribed electives remain and prior written approval has been obtained.
How long does IOLT PLT take?
The program runs for 24 weeks and includes online coursework and 20 days of supervised workplace experience.
Do I need a workplace placement before I start?
No. You can apply before your workplace arrangement is finalised. It is sensible to plan your preferred workplace experience pathway early so the component can be completed within the course period.
When should I apply if I have a target admission date?
Work backwards from the relevant authority's admission deadlines and allow for the 24-week course, completion documents and the authority's admission processing. IOLT can explain course timing, but the admitting authority controls admission dates.

Ready to find your start date?

Check your eligibility or submit your documents for an application assessment.

Check eligibility Apply now