How Overseas Lawyers Can Practise in Australia | PLT | IOLT

How to become a lawyer in Australia with an overseas law degree

Apply for PLT See the 5 steps
Lawyer arriving at court in an Australian city

5 steps to becoming a lawyer in Australia

  1. Get your qualifications assessed

    This is the most important step, because it decides everything that follows. Choose the state or territory where you want to practise, then apply to its admitting authority for an assessment of your overseas qualifications. Find your admitting authority

    What you'll usually send

    • Your law degree and full academic transcript
    • Evidence of admission and legal practice overseas, if you have it
    • Proof of identity

    What your letter tells you

    • Which Australian law subjects you need to study, if any
    • Whether you need full PLT, only some single subjects, or none
    • Any English language requirements

    Wait for your letter before enrolling in anything. Once you have it, send it to us and we'll explain what it means for your PLT. Exact documents, fees and processing times vary by state, so check your admitting authority's website.

  2. Complete any law subjects and English requirements

    Your letter may ask you to do one or both of these before admission. Many overseas lawyers need at least one.

    Australian law subjects

    Academic subjects covering areas of Australian law your degree didn't, such as constitutional law or evidence. You study them through an Australian university or approved provider.

    English language evidence

    Proof of your English level, usually an approved English test. Some people are exempt, for example if they studied law in English.

    Your letter lists the exact subjects and the English requirement for your state.

  3. Complete Practical Legal Training (PLT)

    PLT teaches how law is practised in Australia. Your letter says whether you need the full course, only some single subjects, or none.

    Studying IOLT PLT online on a laptop

    IOLT's PLT is 24 weeks. You study online from anywhere, with no exams, and complete 20 workplace days in Australia during the course.

    Seven subjects

    • Lawyer's Skills
    • Ethics & Professional Responsibility
    • Civil Litigation Practice
    • Commercial & Corporate Practice
    • Property Law Practice
    • Wills & Estates Practice
    • Consumer Law Practice
    How the 20 workplace days work

  4. Apply for admission

    Apply to your admitting authority. They also check your character and suitability.

  5. Get your practising certificate

    Apply to your state's legal regulator. You'll usually start with a period of supervised practice.

Your 20 workplace days in Australia

This is the only part of PLT you do in person. You don't need a placement arranged before you apply.

The rules

  • You must be physically in Australia for all 20 days.
  • The days must fall within your 24-week course. Work done before you enrol, or overseas, doesn't count.
  • You must be doing legal work.
  • Your supervisor must have held an Australian practising certificate for at least two years.

Ways to arrange it

  • Use your current job, if it involves legal work and has a suitable supervisor.
  • Find your own placement with a law firm or other legal employer.
  • Ask IOLT. We may be able to arrange a placement for you, subject to availability.

Check your visa allows this work before you arrive. We can't give visa advice, so confirm with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent. What counts as workplace experience

PLT fees for overseas-qualified lawyers

IOLT PLT costs $8,700 AUD, one of the most affordable PLT courses in Australia. Payment options are available.

Included

  • All online PLT coursework
  • Practical assessment and feedback
  • Support with your 20 workplace days
  • Completion documents for your admission application

Paid separately, to others

  • Qualification assessment
  • Any Australian law subjects you're directed to complete
  • English language testing
  • Admission and practising certificate
  • Visa costs
Apply for PLT Payment options

Admitting authorities by state and territory

Choose where you plan to be admitted for the details that apply to you.

State or territoryAdmitting authority
New South WalesLegal Profession Admission Board
VictoriaVictorian Legal Admissions Board
QueenslandLegal Practitioners Admissions Board
Western AustraliaLegal Practice Board of Western Australia
South AustraliaBoard of Examiners
TasmaniaBoard of Legal Education
Australian Capital TerritoryLegal Practitioners Admission Board
Northern TerritoryLegal Practitioners Admission Board

Questions from overseas-qualified lawyers

Can an overseas lawyer practise law in Australia?
Yes. Overseas-qualified lawyers and law graduates can be admitted in Australia. You need your qualifications assessed by an Australian admitting authority, then must complete whatever it requires, such as Australian law subjects, PLT or English language evidence, before applying for admission.
Is my overseas law degree recognised in Australia?
It depends on your degree and where you want to be admitted. The admitting authority in your chosen state or territory assesses it and tells you in writing what else you need. Start there before enrolling in anything.
Do overseas lawyers need to do PLT in Australia?
Often, but not always. Your assessment letter tells you whether you need the full PLT course, only some single subjects, or none. IOLT offers both the full course and single subjects, so wait for your letter before enrolling.
Do I need to complete Australian law subjects before PLT?
Only if your assessment says so, and it will tell you whether they must be finished before you start PLT. In limited cases an early start may be possible with prior approval from your admitting authority.
Can I do PLT online from overseas?
Yes. All IOLT coursework is 100% online and can be completed from overseas. Only the 20 days of workplace experience must be completed in person, in Australia, during your course. Check your visa allows this work before you arrive.
How much does PLT cost?
IOLT PLT costs $8,700 AUD, one of the most affordable PLT courses in Australia, with payment options available. Qualification assessment, Australian law subjects, English testing, admission, visa and practising certificate costs are separate.
How long does PLT take?
The IOLT course runs for 24 weeks, including your 20 days of supervised workplace experience.
Does IOLT PLT have exams?
No. You are assessed on practical legal tasks such as drafting, client advice, ethics, trust accounting and file management.
When can I start?
Any time. There are no intake dates. You can start as soon as we have reviewed your documents and confirmed you are eligible.
Does IOLT arrange workplace experience?
We may be able to arrange a placement for you, subject to availability. You can also use a suitable current job or find your own placement.
I studied law in Australia. Is this page for me?
No. If you have an Australian law degree, you go straight into PLT on the standard path, whatever your nationality or visa. See our main PLT course page.
What documents do I need to apply?
Your assessment letter from the admitting authority, your academic transcript, and evidence of any required Australian law subjects you have completed.

Ready to start PLT?

Send us your assessment letter and transcript. We'll confirm what you need before you enrol, so you only start PLT when it's the right next step.

Apply for PLT Ask us a question

Talk to admissions

(02) 8000 9192

apply@iolt.edu.au

General information only. Admission, English language, visa, workplace experience and practising certificate requirements vary between states and territories and can change. Confirm your requirements with your admitting authority and, for visa questions, the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.