How can I get admitted to practise as a lawyer?
To be admitted to one of the Supreme Courts in Australia or the High Court of New Zealand to practise as a lawyer you are required to have attained:
- the necessary legal academic requirements as specified in the legislation (e.g. a law degree or diploma of law), and
- the necessary practical legal training requirements as specified in the legislation (e.g. a practical legal training program or an articled clerkship or traineeship)
I’ve just finished my law degree and I want to be admitted to practise as a lawyer, how can the College help?
We offer a range of practical legal training programs that are the fastest route to direct admission for entry level lawyers.
The following table has links to information on admission processes for lawyers who have not been previously admitted either in Australia or overseas.
How can I find out whether my law degree and practical legal training meet the admission eligibility requirements?
We recommend that you contact the admission authority in the jurisdiction in which you wish to apply to ensure that your qualifications are sufficient and cover the subjects prescribed for admission.
In 2001, the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General decided to implement national uniform laws regulating the legal profession, in order to remove and reduce barriers to national practice in Australia.
The following table contains the relevant legal profession legislation and regulations that govern admission for the various jurisdictions in Australia:
I’ve been working as a lawyer for many years overseas, how can I get my qualifications recognised?
For further information on the requirements for international lawyers seeking admission in Australia see: Lawyers Crossing Borders