What placements count for PLT workplace experience?
IOLT's PLT includes 20 days of workplace experience. The placement can be in a law firm, government department, in-house legal team, community legal service, court or another legal workplace. The main requirement is suitable legal work under an eligible supervisor.
Placements can include
The workplace does not need to be a large commercial firm. What matters most is that an eligible legal practitioner can actively supervise you while you undertake genuine legal work.
Law firm
A sole practitioner, boutique, suburban, regional, specialist or national law firm.
Government department or agency
A department, council, regulator, prosecution office, statutory authority or other government legal team.
In-house legal team
The legal team of a company, not-for-profit organisation, university, insurer or professional body.
Community legal service
A community legal centre, Legal Aid service, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal service or public-interest organisation.
Court, tribunal or judicial office
A suitable judicial, court or tribunal placement involving legal research, case analysis, drafting or matter preparation.
Your current workplace
A current paralegal, law-clerk, legal operations, claims, policy, compliance or graduate role may be suitable when an eligible practitioner supervises substantive legal duties.
Your placement needs an eligible legal supervisor
The placement setting can vary. The main requirement is a supervisor who can oversee your legal work, provide guidance and feedback, and verify the experience you complete.
During the placement you may undertake legal research, written advice, drafting, client communication, file management, evidence review, disclosure, negotiation, transaction work or hearing preparation. You do not need to perform every type of task.
What is likely to count?
Use the substance of the role as your guide. A placement can combine several kinds of work, but it should be more than observation or general office support.
A strong fit
You work on real legal matters, research issues, prepare documents, communicate professionally, manage files and receive feedback from a legal supervisor.
May count depending on the duties
Paralegal, compliance, policy, claims, legal operations and current employment can be suitable when the role is substantially legal rather than mainly administrative.
Usually not enough on its own
Reception, data entry, general administration, passive observation, academic research, unsupervised volunteering or generic customer service will not normally provide sufficient legal experience.
Workplace experience FAQs
How many days of workplace experience are required?
IOLT's PLT course includes 20 days of supervised workplace experience completed within the 24-week program.
Can paralegal work count?
Yes, it may count when the actual duties are substantially legal. Research, drafting, client or matter work and legal file management are more relevant than the paralegal job title itself.
Does the placement have to be in a law firm?
No. It can be in a government department, in-house legal team, regulator, community legal service, court, tribunal, professional body or another workplace where an eligible practitioner supervises genuine legal work.
Who can supervise my workplace experience?
The supervisor should be admitted in an Australian jurisdiction, have at least two years of post-admission experience, hold a current unrestricted practising certificate and be able to actively supervise and verify your legal work.
Can I complete the placement remotely?
Yes, remote or hybrid legal work may be suitable where you perform genuine legal tasks, communicate regularly with a supervisor, protect confidentiality and keep an appropriate record of the experience.
Can my current job count?
It may count if your current duties provide substantive legal experience under suitable supervision. A role can include some administration, but general office work alone is not enough.
Can an unpaid or volunteer placement count?
The paid or unpaid status is not the main issue. The work must provide genuine legal experience, active supervision and enough substantive tasks to develop practical legal skills.
What work generally will not count?
Purely administrative work, reception, data entry, passive work shadowing, generic customer service, academic research and unsupervised volunteering will not normally be enough by themselves.
Find the right PLT placement
Start with the supervisor. Look for an eligible Australian legal practitioner who can oversee genuine legal work and help you build practical skills across the 20-day requirement.