YOUR EDUCATION PATHWAY TO STEP MEMBERSHIP
EARN A POSTGRADUATE DEGREE AND STEP MEMBERSHIP
If you want to build a successful career as a wills and estates lawyer or estate planning professional in Australia, STEP membership can set you apart.
Master of Laws (Applied Law) – Wills and Estates or Estate Planning major – is a recognised pathway to STEP membership, giving you the credits, skills and connections to advance your career.
WHAT IS STEP AND WHY DOES IT MATTER FOR WILLS AND ESTATES LAWYERS?
The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) is the leading professional body for succession, estate planning and trust specialists. While STEP operates globally, STEP Australia represents a growing network of lawyers, accountants, trustees and advisers who help families plan for their future.
Membership is recognised as a mark of quality and credibility within the Australian legal profession, particularly in wills and estates and estate planning.
For Australian lawyers working on complex estates, blended families or cross-border matters, STEP membership signals specialist capability and professionalism to clients and peers.
A FLEXIBLE, PRACTICAL STUDY EXPERIENCE
Our Master of Laws (Applied Law) is designed for working professionals:
- Four intakes per year
- Online delivery with practical, applied assessments
- Option to start with just one subject and build up
- Credit available if you’ve completed your PLT or other postgraduate legal study
Alumna Natalie Sylvester says: “I didn’t qualify for other STEP entry routes, so I saw the College’s program as the best way in. It was a really good move.”
BENEFITS OF STEP MEMBERSHIP FOR AUSTRALIAN LAWYERS
STEP membership offers:
- Access to a trusted global network of succession and estate planning professionals
- Practical resources, research and guidance
- International conferences and local seminars
- Opportunities for leadership and advocacy
Richard Neal highlights its networking value: “If a client needs advice in another jurisdiction, STEP lets you connect with someone credible and trusted.”
HOW TO QUALIFY FOR STEP MEMBERSHIP THROUGH THE COLLEGE OF LAW
One of the most accessible ways for Australian lawyers to join STEP is via the education route, which combines postgraduate study with relevant professional experience.
The College of Law is a recognised STEP education provider. By completing the right subjects in our Wills and Estates or Estate Planning major, you can meet STEP’s Diploma-level credit requirement.
Here’s how it works:
- Gain two years of relevant professional experience.
- Earn 120 Diploma-level credits through postgraduate study.
- Each LLM subject is worth 30 credits – you need four subjects in total.
- At least two subjects must come from this approved list:
- WEB1: Foundations of Wills and Estates Practice
- WEB2: Law and Practice of Estates
- EPB1: Foundations of Estate Planning
- EPB2: Superannuation
- The other two can be chosen from any other Wills and Estates or Estate Planning subjects offered by the College.
START YOUR STEP PATHWAY TODAY
Whether your goal is full STEP membership, specialist accreditation, or simply becoming a more confident wills and estates lawyer, our program can help you get there.
Next steps:
- Book a call with our Customer and Student Engagement team to plan your subject choices
- Download the Wills and Estates course guide
- Explore how our courses align with both your career goals and STEP membership requirements
