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GAIN INSIGHT INTO A REAL LEGAL ENVIRONMENT

Designed to give you insights into what it’s like to work in a real legal environment, this is your first opportunity to apply your skills to real-life legal problems.

Work experience format options

WORK EXPERIENCE EXAMPLES

You have a huge range of opportunities that may count towards your Work Experience component. Examples include:

• Summer clerkships
• Paralegal work
• Volunteering at community legal centres
• A placement with Legal Aid
• Working with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
• Tax or legal division of chartered accountants
• Government policy and planning work of a legal nature
• Judge’s associate or tipstaff
• Assisting barristers in chambers
• Working in government or semi-government legal departments
• Assisting Tribunal members
• Company in-house legal departments

work experience rules

To be eligible, your work experience must comply with the Work Experience Rules. In short, your work experience:

1. Must occur in the delivery of legal services
2. Must be under the supervision of an appropriate supervisor
3. May be undertaken in one or multiple placements
4. May include experience undertaken as an undergraduate (but such experience cannot be used to satisfy the entire placement)

how to have your work experience approved

SIMPLY FOLLOW THESE SIX STEPS:

1. Read the Work Experience Rules thoroughly. 
2. Provide your supervisor with a copy of the Work Experience Guide for Supervisors to read. 
3. Submit your Work Experience Approval Form before, or as soon as possible after you start your placement via email.
4. We will then advise you of the outcome of your application.
5. After completing your placement, submit the Work Experience Declaration Form (signed by your supervisor) to the College via email.

CAN WORK EXPERIENCE BE APPROVED RETROSPECTIVELY?

Yes. In fact, this is quite common – especially in cases where students have completed some work experience as undergraduates. However, approval is at our discretion.

Your work experience must still comply with the Work Experience Rules – and you still need to follow Steps 2-6 above. 

WORK EXPERIENCE JOURNAL

If you are undertaking the 75-days work experience option, you need to submit a work experience journal for the 15 days' work experience that you undertake in Australia after you have begun the PLT program. This journal must be signed by your supervisor.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I completed legal work experience while at university. Can it be counted towards my PLT?

Work experience undertaken before you begin your PLT program can count towards some, but not all, of your PLT work experience.

All students need to complete 15 days’ work experience after beginning their PLT program.

If you’re completing the 75-days work experience option, the remaining 60 days work experience can be undertaken in the 2 years prior to starting your PLT program.

What counts as work experience?

To count towards your PLT, your work experience must:

• Occur in the delivery of legal services
• Be under the supervision of an appropriate supervisor
• Comply with the work experience rules

 

You can find out if your work experience can count towards your PLT by submitting an Application for Approval Form to support@collaw.edu.au

This form can be submitted before you enrol at the College of Law, and we’ll keep a record of your work experience.

Can work experience be completed remotely?

Yes! If you are completing work experience remotely, you will need to complete the Work Experience Remote Supervision Diary.

Your work experience must still comply with the Work Experience Rules.

Who can supervise my work experience placement?

A person can be your work experience supervisor if they are an Australian legal practitioner and are currently practising and:

• hold a full practising certificate as a legal practitioner;
• hold a restricted practising certificate as a legal practitioner which they have held for 2 years;
• are a judge;
• are a tribunal member who is a legal practitioner; or
• are a person who does not hold a practising certificate but is eligible to do so and who provides acceptable written submission to satisfy the Committee they can provide appropriate practical experience.

Information about the role of supervisors can be found in the Work Experience Guide for Supervisors:

• Work Experience Guide for Supervisors
• Work Experience Guide for Supervisor - WA only

Will the College of Law find a placement for me?

The College of Law does not guarantee work experience placements for students. 

If you enrol in the College’s PLT program, you will have access to one-on-one career consultations with a Careers Advisor for guidance on finding work and planning your career.

You can also visit the College of Law's Jobs Board to view and apply for opportunities for law graduates.  

I am completing the 15-days or 25-days option. When can I start the additional coursework?

If you’re completing the 15-days or 25-days work experience options, you can begin the additional online course:

• Full-time PLT students: At the end of your coursework
• Part-time PLT students: From week 16 of your coursework

Am I covered by insurance while completing work experience?

College students on unpaid approved work experience placements are insured for personal injury and civil liability.

You can request a copy of our Certificates from support@collaw.edu.au