We use cookies to compile information about how our website is used and to improve the experience of our website visitors.
You can review and update your cookie setting by clicking "Manage cookies preferences". For more information about the cookies we use, please read our Cookies and Electronic Marketing Policy.
Your Practical Legal Training is usually undertaken at the end of your academic studies.
However, as of 1 January 2015 it is possible to start earlier if you have completed all Priestley 11 core subjects of your law degree – with no more than two electives remaining.
To start your Practical Legal Training early, you will need to seek approval from the admitting authority in the state you wish to be admitted to practise. Rules and processes relating to early starts vary by state.
Except in exceptional circumstances, you cannot start your Practical Legal Training in the Australian Capital Territory until you have completed the Academic Requirements for Admission.
You will have to provide evidence of your law qualification or early commencement letter from the admitting authority by the Practical Legal Training course census date.
In New South Wales, it is possible to start early if you have:
Completed all Priestley 11 core subjects of your law degree and have no more than two electives remaining in your law degree, double degree or equivalent qualification
Are currently enrolled in your remaining subject(s) while you are undertaking the PLT
To start your Practical Legal Training early, you will need to complete the 'Application for early commencement of PLT' form and provide the following documentation to the LPAB:
An original letter from the Dean of your Law School which verifies:
Your completion of the Priestley 11 core subjects
Your current enrolment in the last two subjects of the qualification, neither of which is a Priestley 11 core subject
Fee payment or confirmation of online fee payment
You will have to provide evidence of your law qualification or early commencement letter from the admitting authority by the course census date.
In Queensland, it may be possible to start earlier if you have completed all Priestley 11 core subjects of your law degree and have no more than two electives remaining in your law degree, double degree or equivalent qualification.
To seek approval, please complete the online enrolment form for the Practical Legal Training course you would like to undertake. Once this has been received, The College of Law will email you and the Queensland Law Society a conditional offer of enrolment. After you have received your conditional offer of enrolment, please contact the Queensland Law Society on 1300 367 757 to complete the process.
In South Australia, it is possible to start earlier if you have:
Completed all Priestley 11 core subjects of your law degree and have no more than two electives remaining in your law degree or double degree
Are currently enrolled in the relevant academic subject(s) while you are undertaking the PLT, and
Applied for and received the permission of the Board of Examiners (BOE) before the census date of the PLT course.
To start your Practical Legal Training early, you will need to provide to the BOE:
A covering letter stating that authorisation is being sought pursuant to Clause 3.2(a)(ii) of the Law Admissions Consultative Committee’s Practical Legal Training Competency Standards for Entry Level Lawyers.
Advises of the subject/s you will be studying while undertaking your PLT, the start date, end date, contact hours and methods of assessment
Confirms that the last subject/s are not a Priestley 11 core subject
Provides the start date and end date of the College PLT program you will be undertaking
You will have to provide evidence of your law qualification or early commencement letter from the admitting authority by the Practical Legal Training course census date.
Approval should be sought from VLAB a minimum of one month prior to your PLT start date. To start your Practical Legal Training early, apply online with proof of:
Your completion of the Priestley 11 core subjects, and
Your current enrolment in the last two subjects of the qualification, neither of which is a Priestley 11 core subject
You will have to provide evidence of your law qualification or early commencement letter from the admitting authority before the Practical Legal Training course start date to commence the program.
If you would like to start your Practical Legal Training early, you will need to provide the LPBWA with:
SIGNED STATUTORY DECLARATION
Must include:
The name of the university and degree you are enrolled in
Confirmation you have successfully completed all your Priestley 11 core subjects
Confirmation of your current enrolment in the last two subjects of your degree and the expected completion date of the subjects
The name, course code, start date and end date of the College Practical Legal Training program you intend to complete
The original signed statutory declaration must be posted to the LPBWA.
ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT
You will also need to arrange for your law school to email or post an academic transcript of your studies completed to date, directly to the LPBWA. An original academic transcript will be accepted by the LPABWA, but a transcript directly from the law school is preferred.
You will have to provide evidence of your law qualification or early commencement letter from the admitting authority before the Practical Legal Training course start date to commence enrolment.
You will have to provide evidence of your law qualification or early commencement letter from the admitting authority before the Practical Legal Training course start date to commence the program.
We use three kinds of cookies on our websites: required, functional, and advertising. You can choose to opt out of functional and advertising cookies. Click on the different cookie categories to find out more about each category and to change the default settings.
Required Cookies
Required Cookies
Required cookies are necessary for basic website functionality. Some examples include: session cookies needed to transmit the website, authentication cookies, and security cookies.
Functional Cookies
Functional Cookies
Functional cookies enhance functions, performance, and services on the website. Some examples include: cookies used to analyze site traffic, cookies used for market research, and cookies used to display advertising that is not directed to a particular individual.
Advertising Cookies
Advertising Cookies
Advertising cookies track activity across websites in order to understand a viewer’s interests, and direct them specific marketing. Some examples include: cookies used for remarketing, or interest-based advertising.
