Professional Program

Practical Legal Training (PLT) through the Professional Program

The College of Law offers the Professional Program as an approved method of practical legal training in preparation for admission as a legal practitioner.

The Professional Program now enables direct admission in a number of Australian jurisdictions. Each stream of the Professional Program satisfies PLT requirements for admission to legal practice through the corresponding Supreme Court as shown below. The table also shows the law society/institute associated with the particular College course.

Graduates from Western Australia, Tasmania and South Australia may choose one of the three streams for admission in the corresponding state followed by mutual recognition in their home state. Please contact the relevant admitting authority for further information. Details can be found under the admissions page.

The College of Law offers three streams of the Professional Program. The curriculum structure is common to all streams, but the state-based material varies in accordance with the requirements of the respective admitting authorities.

The Online Course can be undertaken anywhere in the world. The onsite session and final assessments are held in Australia or London. Click on a location for further information.

Following admission in one of these jurisdictions you can then apply to be admitted in Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia and New Zealand through the mutual recognition scheme.

New South Wales Professional Program
The New South Wales Professional Program (NPP) is an accredited practical legal training course in NSW, ACT and NT. The NPP has been offered for over 30 years and continues to reinvent itself as an innovative training program, offering a choice of online and face-to-face instruction.

Queensland Professional Program
The Queensland Professional Program (QPP) is a course of practical legal training in Queensland leading to admission as a legal practitioner. The QPP is offered in association with The College of Law Queensland (a joint venture between The College of Law and the Queensland Law Society). QPPO Brochure

Victorian Professional Program
The Victorian Professional Program (VPP) is a course of practical legal training offered in Victoria leading to admission as a barrister and solicitor. The VPP is offered in association with The College of Law Victoria (a joint venture between The College of Law and the Law Institute of (Victoria). VPPO Brochure

Western Australian Professional Program
The current program stream offered in Western Australia is NSW content-based wtih onsite skill sessions in Perth. This stream currently leads to direct admission in NSW, followed by admission in Western Australia through the mutual recognition scheme. The College of Law Western Australia will be establised in 2007. A Western Australian stream of the Professional Program is being developed, and during 2007 the College intends to seek approval of this stream for direct admission in Western Australia.

The College understands that it is expected the Admission Rules to be made under the Legal Profession Act 2008 (WA) will be operational from 1 January 2009.  When the Admission Rules are made the College will seek approval of a Western Australian Practical Legal Training course.  In the meantime College will continue to provide a New South Wales PLT course leading to direct admission in New South Wales which would then enable an application to be made for admission in Western Australia pursuant to mutual recognition legislation

Program Components

The Professional Program consists of three components:

1. Coursework Component
   
2. Work Experience Component
   
3. Continuing Professional Education Component

Details of each component are available through the links to the right.

Program Information

e-Brochure

Professional Program Online Demonstration Course

2008 Handbook