Gavin Howe
In Australia, the path to becoming a lawyer typically involves obtaining an undergraduate law degree, such as a Bachelor of Laws or a combined law degree. However, it is possible to become a lawyer without a law degree by pursuing a postgraduate Juris Doctor (JD) degree if you already have a bachelor's degree in another discipline. This option allows individuals from diverse educational backgrounds to transition into the legal field. After completing your degree, you will need to undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to develop the practical skills necessary for working as a lawyer. Following your PLT, you can apply for admission to the Supreme Court of an Australian state or territory and obtain a practising certificate to officially become a lawyer in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you become a lawyer without a law degree in Australia? | No, a law degree is required to become a lawyer in Australia. However, it is possible to study for a law career regardless of your previous area of study or professional experience. |
| Law degree options | Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Juris Doctor (JD), or a double degree with another discipline. |
| Next steps after law degree | Practical Legal Training (PLT), which includes work experience and awards a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. |
| After PLT | Apply for admission to the Supreme Court of an Australian state or territory and obtain a practising certificate issued by the local legal professional body. |
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What You'll Learn
Foreign qualifications and practising law in Australia
Foreign-qualified lawyers are able to practice in Australia, but they must meet several requirements. These include obtaining a practising certificate and registering with the local State or Territory authority as an 'Australian-registered foreign lawyer'.
To obtain a practising certificate, foreign-qualified lawyers must be assessed by the relevant Australian state or territory's law admission board and complete any individual units of study required to qualify. The assessment will determine whether the applicant's existing qualifications and experience meet the prescribed academic requirements for admission to practise law in Australia. The assessment can take up to 12 weeks. Additional study is required for many foreign lawyers in Australia, often in the form of the <'Priestley 11' subjects], which are the fundamental areas of Australian law.
Foreign lawyers who wish to practise for more than 90 days in any 12-month period or establish a commercial presence must register with the local State or Territory authority. This registration process is based on their right to engage in legal practice in a foreign jurisdiction, rather than their nationality or residency status. Once registered, foreign lawyers are permitted to practise the law of those foreign jurisdictions in which they are qualified, as well as international law. They may also work in commercial association with Australian lawyers.
It is important to note that foreign lawyers are not entitled to practise Australian law. They must comply with the same professional, ethical, and practice standards as Australian legal practitioners.
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Getting admitted to the Supreme Court
To become a lawyer in Australia, you must satisfy three requirements: you must complete a Bachelor of Laws or equivalent course, complete a Practical Legal Training (PLT) program, which awards you a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, and be admitted to the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory.
The first step towards becoming a lawyer in Australia is to obtain a law degree. This can be a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or a Juris Doctor (JD). These degrees provide the foundational legal knowledge required to be admitted as a legal practitioner in Australia. The courses, referred to as the "Priestley 11", cover a range of legal subjects, including administrative law, civil procedure, company law, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, and more.
The second step is to complete a Practical Legal Training (PLT) program. This step is crucial as it equips you with the practical skills needed to excel in real-world legal environments. PLT programs are designed to provide you with the day-to-day skills required to enter the legal profession. They can be studied full-time (15 weeks) or part-time (30 weeks).
The third and final step is to apply for admission to the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory. Lawyers can lodge an application to the Supreme Court to be admitted to the legal profession. Admission sittings are conducted regularly in the Banco Court of the QEII Courts of Law Complex in Brisbane and other locations as required. Once admitted, you are eligible for admission in other Australian states or territories under the Mutual Recognition Scheme.
It is important to note that after being admitted as a lawyer, you must obtain a practising certificate to be able to practise law in any Australian jurisdiction. This certificate acts as a license that allows you to provide legal services. To maintain your practising certificate, you must undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) or Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE).
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Getting a practising certificate
To practise law in Australia, you must obtain a practising certificate from the relevant state or territory legal admissions body. Each state and territory has its own legal admissions body, which is responsible for
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Alternative routes to a law degree
To become a lawyer in Australia, you must satisfy three requirements: you've completed your Bachelor of Laws or equivalent course, completed a Practical Legal Training (PLT) program, and gained admission to the Supreme Court of an Australian state or territory. However, there are alternative routes to achieving these requirements without completing a traditional law degree.
If you already have a bachelor's degree in another discipline, you can pursue a postgraduate Juris Doctor (JD) degree. This route allows you to obtain the necessary legal qualifications without starting from scratch with an undergraduate law degree.
Another option is to study law as a double degree. This means combining your law studies with another discipline, such as a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, or Bachelor of Science. This route can broaden your horizons and provide you with additional knowledge and skills that may complement your legal career.
Additionally, if you are an international student with a law degree from an overseas institution, you may be eligible for admission to practice law in Australia. However, you will need to have your foreign qualifications assessed by the relevant admitting authority, as the requirements and processes can vary across different states and territories.
It's worth noting that the University of Canberra's law curriculum offers students the chance to explore different branches of law early on, making it easier to choose specialisations later. This flexibility can be beneficial for those who want to keep their options open and explore various areas of law before committing to a specific path.
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Specialising in an area of law
There are many areas of law to choose from, and you may be interested in some more than others. For example, you may not be keen on corporate and commercial law but might be interested in environmental law or family law.
Criminal law is one area in which lawyers, particularly barristers, can specialise due to the advanced knowledge and skills required. As a criminal defence lawyer, you would defend people who have charges laid against them, or as a prosecution lawyer, you would work to establish guilt.
If you are interested in helping people relocate to Australia, you could become an immigration lawyer. You would be able to represent people in court in more complex scenarios.
Intellectual property law is another area of specialisation. It requires very specific knowledge of the law in Australia and overseas to ensure that an individual's or business's inventions or creations are not exploited or used by other parties.
Media, Arts, and Entertainment lawyers work with clients in the film, television, stage, and music industries. They often deal with issues related to intellectual property, consumer law, and corporate law.
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Frequently asked questions
To become a lawyer in Australia, you must satisfy three requirements: you've completed your Bachelor of Laws or equivalent course, you've completed a Practical Legal Training (PLT) program, and you've been admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of an Australian state or territory.
A law degree in Australia will give you a theoretical understanding of the law. Depending on where you study, you may also have to complete compulsory subjects and several electives. The courses, referred to as the 'Priestley 11', cover administrative law, civil procedure, company law, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law and procedure, equity and trusts, evidence, ethics and professional conduct, property law, and torts.
The PLT program is all about developing practical skills and knowledge to practice as a graduate lawyer. It includes a combination of subjects that help you learn the specifics of working in a firm or organization, as well as work experience under an approved senior practitioner.
The final step to becoming a lawyer in Australia is obtaining a practising certificate, generally issued by the local legal professional body.
