CAN I START PLT BEFORE FINISHING MY LAW DEGREE?
CAN I START PLT BEFORE FINISHING MY LAW DEGREE?
Yes, in most Australian states, you can start Practical Legal Training (PLT) before finishing your law degree. To qualify, you’ll need to have finished the Priestley 11 core subjects. You can still have up to two electives left, but you must first apply to your local admitting authority, who will decide if you meet the requirements.
The only exceptions are the ACT and Tasmania, where you’ll need to complete your entire degree before starting PLT.
WHO CAN START PLT BEFORE FINISHING LAW SCHOOL?
| STATE | CAN YOU START EARLY? | WHO TO APPLY TO |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | ❌ No | NA |
| NSW | ✔️ Yes | Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) |
| NT | ✔️ Yes | Legal Practitioners Admission Board (NT LPAB) |
| QLD | ✔️ Yes | Legal Practitioners Admission Board (QLD) |
| SA | ✔️ Yes | Board of Examiners (BOE) |
| TAS | ❌ No | NA |
| WA | ✔️ Yes | Legal Practice Board of WA (LPBWA) |
| VIC | ✔️ Yes | Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) |
WHAT ARE THE "PRIESTLEY 11" CORE SUBJECTS?
The Priestley 11 are the foundation subjects every Australian law student must complete before becoming eligible for admission to practice. They’re named after the Priestley Committee, which set out the minimum academic requirements for law graduates.
The subjects are:
- Administrative Law
- Civil Procedure
- Company Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Equity (including Trusts)
- Evidence
- Professional Conduct (including Legal Ethics)
- Property
- Torts
- Constitutional Law
Completing these ensures you’ve covered the essential areas of law that every lawyer must know, no matter their future practice area.
HOW TO APPLY FOR EARLY PLT (BEFORE FINISHING LAW SCHOOL)
The exact process varies by state, but in every case you’ll need to show:
- Completion of your Priestley 11 core subjects
- Enrolment in your remaining elective(s)
- Supporting documents from your law school (such as a letter or transcript)
- A formal application to your local admitting authority
| STATE/ TERRITORY |
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO PROVIDE |
|---|---|
| NSW | LPAB form + Dean’s letter + Fee receipt |
| QLD | Conditional PLT offer from College |
| WA | Statutory declaration + Transcript |
| VIC | VLAB form + Transcript + Law school letter |
| SA | Cover letter + Statutory declaration |
| NT | Application letter + Proof of Priestley 11 + Proof of elective enrolment |
Important: Requirements can change. Always double-check with your local admitting authority before applying to start PLT early.
WHEN SHOULD YOU APPLY TO START PLT EARLY?
It’s a good idea to leave plenty of time when applying to start PLT early. Each admitting authority needs to review your paperwork and issue formal approval before you can begin.
- Apply early: Submit your application as soon as you’ve completed your Priestley 11 subjects and enrolled in your final electives.
- Allow processing time: Some boards (like New South Wales’ LPAB) can take a minimum of 28 days to process applications. Leaving it too late may mean you can’t start the intake you want.
- Provide evidence to the College: We’ll need proof of your approval before you can begin. For most states, this must be provided before the course census date (often in the first week). In Queensland and Western Australia, you’ll need to supply it by the Wednesday before your PLT start date.
- Plan around your intake: If you have a specific start date in mind, work backwards. Allow yourself a buffer to accommodate time for approvals to be processed.
FAQS ABOUT STARTING PLT BEFORE GRADUATING
Yes, in most states and territories (except ACT and TAS) you can start PLT once you’ve finished your Priestley 11 core subjects, if you only have one or two electives left.
You can have up to two electives outstanding, as long as you’ve completed the Priestley 11 core subjects.
Yes. Each admissions authority sets its own rules. Generally, you can start after the Priestley 11, but there are slight differences depending on where you plan to be admitted. It’s best to check with your local admissions authority or with us before enrolling.
If your application isn’t approved in time, you may need to postpone your PLT start date until approval comes through, so apply early and allow plenty of time.
If your admitting authority doesn’t approve your application, don’t worry, it doesn’t stop you from completing PLT altogether. It just means you’ll need to wait until you’ve fully finished your law degree (all subjects, including electives) before starting.
READY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PLT?
Starting early is just one piece of the puzzle. Find out how Practical Legal Training works, what’s included, and how it fits into your path to admission.
