IOLT course information

Practical Legal Training explained

Everything you need to know about IOLT's 24-week Practical Legal Training course, including when you can start, seven online subjects, the 20-day workplace experience, fees and admission.

Explore the course
Law graduate receiving information about Practical Legal Training
Start anytimeBegin once your starting requirements are met and your offer is accepted
24 weeksThe standard course period
Seven subjectsOnline practical coursework with no exams
20 daysSupervised workplace experience completed during the course

When can I start PLT?

There are no fixed intake dates. Your starting point depends on whether your Australian law degree is complete, you are seeking approval to start early or your degree was completed overseas.

Your Australian law degree is complete

You can start once IOLT approves your application and you accept your offer. Apply with your final transcript or completion letter.

You are still finishing your degree

You may be able to start early if:

  • You have no more than two non-compulsory law electives remaining.
  • You obtain written approval from the Legal Practice Board before commencing.
  • You meet any conditions confirmed by the Board.

Your law degree is from overseas

  • Apply to the admitting authority in your intended jurisdiction.
  • Obtain an assessment of your overseas qualifications.
  • Complete any subjects or other requirements identified in the assessment statement.
  • Then apply to IOLT for PLT.

Not sure if you can start?

Submit an application and IOLT will review it. If you are eligible, you will receive a full offer. If you still have conditions to meet, you will receive a tentative offer explaining exactly what is required before you can start.

A tentative offer locks in your place and course price while you complete the conditions.

Submit an application

Workplace experience

Complete 20 days of supervised legal work during the 24-week course. You do not need a workplace before you apply.

An early-career law graduate reviewing a legal file with an experienced supervising solicitor
Workplace experience is supervised legal work completed during the same 24-week program.

Choose how you will complete it

Arrange your own workplace

Use a suitable current workplace or arrange a placement with a legal employer.

Ask IOLT to arrange it

IOLT may be able to arrange a placement at no additional fee, subject to availability.

Select your preferred option in the application

Any IOLT-arranged placement availability will be confirmed in your application response.

What makes a workplace eligible?

  • You are completing legal work.
  • A supervisor who has held an Australian practising certificate for at least two years can supervise you and sign off your hours.

What records do I complete?

IOLT provides the Workplace Experience Journal and Annexure of Hours after you commence the course.

What does IOLT PLT include?

Complete seven required subjects through online coursework, plus 20 days of supervised workplace experience, within the same 24-week course. There are no exams. Assessment is through practical legal tasks.

Seven required subjects

  • Lawyer's Skills
  • Civil Litigation Practice
  • Commercial & Corporate Practice
  • Property Law Practice
  • Ethics & Professional Responsibility
  • Wills & Estates Practice
  • Criminal Law Practice

Complete structured online tasks designed to fit around employment and other commitments. All coursework is delivered online; the workplace component is completed in an approved legal environment.

Course fees

Student typeTotalSix instalments
Domestic$6,0006 × $1,000
International$8,7006 × $1,450

All amounts are in Australian dollars. Pay upfront or use the six-instalment plan.

Apply for PLT Full fee information

Where can I use IOLT PLT?

IOLT PLT can be used to support admission applications in the following Australian jurisdictions:

  • New South Wales
  • Victoria
  • Queensland
  • Western Australia
  • Australian Capital Territory
  • Northern Territory

When you complete the course, IOLT provides your Certificate of Completion and Statement of Results, plus provider certification where required.

Read the admission guide Ask admissions
An early-career Australian lawyer outside a courthouse after admission

Complete IOLT PLT, receive your completion documents and take the next step towards admission.

Practical Legal Training FAQs

Can I start PLT before I graduate?
You may be able to start early if you have no more than two non-compulsory law electives remaining and obtain written approval from the Legal Practice Board before commencing. The Board will confirm any conditions.
What if I am not sure whether I can start?
Submit an application and IOLT will review it. Eligible applicants receive a full offer. If you still have conditions to meet, your tentative offer will explain them and lock in your place and course price while you complete them.
Do I need a workplace placement before I apply?
No. Select whether you will arrange your own workplace or would like IOLT to arrange one in the application.
Can IOLT arrange my workplace experience?
IOLT may be able to arrange a suitable placement at no additional fee, subject to availability. Select this option in the application and availability will be confirmed in your application response.
What makes a workplace eligible?
You must be completing legal work and have a supervisor who has held an Australian practising certificate for at least two years and can supervise you and sign off your hours.
What subjects are included in IOLT PLT?
The seven required subjects are Lawyer's Skills, Civil Litigation Practice, Commercial & Corporate Practice, Property Law Practice, Ethics & Professional Responsibility, Wills & Estates Practice and Criminal Law Practice.
How is the course assessed?
There are no exams. Assessment is completed through practical legal tasks within the online coursework.
How long does IOLT PLT take?
The standard course period is 24 weeks. The online coursework and 20 days of supervised workplace experience are completed within that same period.
Is the course fully online?
All coursework is delivered online. The separate workplace-experience component must be completed in an approved legal environment under an eligible supervisor.
Where can I use IOLT PLT?
IOLT PLT can be used to support admission applications in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
What does the course cost?
The total fee is $6,000 for domestic students and $8,700 for international students. Six-instalment plans are available: $1,000 per instalment for domestic students or $1,450 per instalment for international students.