CAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUDY PLT IN AUSTRALIA?
CAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STUDY IN AUSTRALIA?
Yes. International students can study Practical Legal Training (PLT) in Australia, either in person through a CRICOS-approved course or online from overseas, depending on your visa and situation.
This guide explains your options, visa requirements, and what to expect if you’re completing PLT onshore or remotely.
If you’re finishing your law degree in Australia on a student visa, or you're an overseas law grad hoping to qualify for admission here, you’ll need to complete Practical Legal Training (PLT).
The good news? Yes, international students who meet the English requirements can study PLT in Australia. But depending on your situation, the type of visa you hold and the format of your PLT may vary.
Let’s break it down.
WHERE YOU CAN STUDY PLT
| YOUR SITUATION | WHERE YOU CAN STUDY | WHAT YOU CAN ENROL IN | WHAT TO KNOW |
|---|---|---|---|
| You’re applying for a student visa to complete PLT in Australia | In Australia | Our CRICOS-approved PLT course in Sydney (Course Code: 069734C) | We’ll issue your COE so you can apply for a student visa. This course is full-time, on campus. |
| You completed an Australian LLB or JD, and your current visa covers your PLT | In Australia | Any PLT format: full-time or part-time, online, onsite or blended | You don’t need to apply for a new visa. Choose the format that suits your schedule and location. |
| You’re living overseas and want to study PLT online | Anywhere | Any online PLT program (full-time or part-time) | Workshops and assessments run on Australian time. You’ll still need to do 15 days of work experience in Australia after you start PLT. |
WHAT IS PLT - AND WHY DO YOU NEED IT?
PLT is the next step after your law degree if you want to become a lawyer in Australia. It’s where you’ll build the real-world legal skills you’ll need in practice — like drafting legal documents, working with clients, and understanding ethical obligations.
When you complete PLT, you’ll be awarded a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP). This qualification is required for admission in every Australian state and territory
WHICH COURSE IS CRICOS-APPROVED FOR STUDENT VISAS?
At the College of Law, our full-time, on-campus PLT course in Sydney is CRICOS-approved (CRICOS Course Code: 069734C). That means it meets the requirements for a student visa.
The course runs for 15 weeks full-time and includes:
- One week of workshops in the first week of the course
- 3 days of in-person workshops per week
- Online modules and coursework
- Work experience (which starts after your coursework finishes)
- Support from academic staff, career coaches, and your own PLT mentor
Once you apply, we’ll provide the documents you need to support your visa application. For more information, please see the Enrolling and Reporting on CRICOS Students Student Policy.
CAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS APPLY FOR PLT IN AUSTRALIA?
Whether you studied law in Australia or overseas, there are different pathways to start PLT.
You’ll generally need to:
- Have completed (or be about to complete) an approved Australian law degree, or
- Have your overseas law qualifications assessed and approved
- Meet the English language requirements (if applicable)
- If applying for a student visa, enrol in a CRICOS-approved course
VISA OPTIONS FOR STUDYING IN AUSTRALIA
If you need a visa to study PLT in Australia, there are two main options we can help with:
| 11 MONTH STUDY VISA | 20-WEEK VISA |
|---|---|
| If you’re completing your entire PLT program in Australia, enrol in the CRICOS-approved course in Sydney. We’ll then issue your COE (Confirmation of Enrolment) to help you apply for your student visa. | If you’ve already completed your PLT coursework online and only need to complete your Work Experience component in Australia, a shorter visa may be an option. You’ll need to be enrolled in PLT and have your placement confirmed. |
Visas are issued by the Department of Home Affairs, so we recommend speaking with them or a registered migration agent for advice. While we can’t provide migration advice, we’re happy to help you with any documents required for your visa application.
Keep in mind: If you finish your course earlier than expected, we’re required to notify the government. This may affect the length of your visa.
COMMON QUESTIONS
In some cases, yes, it’s possible to complete PLT online from overseas. This depends on your location, your visa status, and where you plan to be admitted.
You don’t need a student visa to do one of our online PLT courses, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Workshops and assessments are run in Australian time zones
- You’ll still need to complete 15 days of work experience in Australia after you start your PLT
- The rest of your work experience can be completed before, during or after the course, including from overseas
That depends on where you studied your law degree.
- If you completed your law degree in Australia, you don’t need to provide an English language test, even if you’re an international student.
- If you completed your overseas law degree in a country where English is not the primary language, you’ll need to provide evidence of English proficiency that is no more than 2 years old.
To meet the requirements, you’ll need to achieve the following scores on an IELTS Academic test:
- 8.0 in writing
- 7.5 in speaking
- 7.0 in reading
- 7.0 in listening
- 7.5 overall
Or the following scores on a TOEFL iBT test:
- 27 in writing
- 24 in speaking
- 24 in reading
- 24 in listening
You may need to provide a copy of your IELTS Academic test or TOEFL iBT test if required .
Once you finish PLT, you’ll receive your Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and can apply for admission to the legal profession in your chosen Australian state or territory.
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?
It’s a good idea to apply early, especially if you’re applying for a student visa. Here’s why:
- You can apply before your final law results are released
- You’ll have more time to organise your visa, travel, and accommodation
- Our team can guide you through the process from the start
READY TO START YOUR PLT JOURNEY?
Explore our Practical Legal Training programs, compare formats, and find the option that works best for your goals and visa.
