IS PLT ONLINE OR ON-CAMPUS?
IS PLT ONLINE OR ON-CAMPUS?
Practical Legal Training (PLT) in Australia can be completed fully online, on campus, or through a blended mix of online coursework and on-campus workshops depending on the course format and provider
At the College of Law, PLT is mostly online, but you will attend a small number of live workshops, either online or on campus, depending on your state and course.
It’s not like university. There are no weekly lectures or tutorials. Instead, PLT combines flexible online coursework with a short, practical workshop component.
Here’s how it works.
HOW PLT IS DELIVERED AT THE COLLEGE OF LAW
PLT coursework at the College of Law is made up of a combination of:
- Online coursework
- Live workshops (delivered online or on campus, depending on your state and the course format you choose)
At least 80% of your learning happens online through practical tasks completed in your own time.
Workshops are interactive sessions where you practise key legal skills such as advocacy, client interviewing, drafting and negotiation. The format of these workshops, online or on campus, depends on your location and the course option you enrol in.
CAN YOU DO PLT FULLY ONLINE IN AUSTRALIA?
In all states and territories, a fully online PLT option is available. However, in NSW and QLD, fully online courses are only available to students with approved special circumstances or disability adjustments.
In 100% online courses, you will:
- Complete coursework online
- Attend required live online workshops
- Complete course assessments online
Even if you choose a course with on-campus workshops, the majority of your learning, at least 80%, will still be completed online.
HOW ATTENDANCE WORKS IN EACH STATE
Because rules set by the PLT regulators vary slightly across Australia, workshop delivery can differ by state.
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
| STATE | COURSEWORK | WORKSHOPS | ASSESSMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Online | 15 days onsite* | Online |
| QLD | Online | 5 days onsite* | Online |
| VIC, WA, SA, ACT & NT | Online | 5 days online or on-campus | Online |
*Online workshops available for students with special circumstances or disability.
WHAT DOES "ONLINE PLT" ACTUALLY MEAN?
At the College of Law, we describe our PLT courses as online because most of your learning happens through our online Learning Portal.
You will attend a small number of live workshops, either online or on campus, depending on your state and the course you choose. These workshops usually run for between 5 and 15 days.
The rest of your PLT is completed online through practical tasks and assessments.
Since PLT courses run for between 15 and 30 weeks, this means at least 80% of your course is completed online.
When we say PLT is online, we mean:
- You access your subjects through an online Learning Portal
- You complete practical legal tasks each week
- You submit work online
- You manage your own weekly study schedule
There are:
- No weekly lectures
- No fixed tutorial times
- No campus attendance for most of your coursework
You’ll have a start date, an end date, and clear weekly milestones, but you choose when you complete your tasks.
WHAT ARE PLT WORKSHOPS AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
Workshops are where you practise skills in real time.
Depending on your state and intake, these may be:
- Fully onsite
- Delivered online live
Workshops focus on:
- Advocacy (speaking in court)
- Client interviewing
- Drafting
- Negotiation
- Ethical decision-making
They are interactive and not recorded, because you’re actively participating.
They’re designed to feel like a training environment, not a lecture theatre.
ARE WORKSHOPS BETTER ON-CAMPUS OR ONLINE? WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
There isn’t one “better” option, it really depends on how you like to learn and what fits your life.
Both formats cover the same content. You’ll practise advocacy, interviewing, drafting and negotiation in small groups, guided by experienced legal practitioners. The difference is how you attend.
On-campus workshops may suit you if:
- You enjoy face-to-face learning
- You feel more confident practising skills in person
- You value the chance to meet classmates in person
Online workshops may suit you if:
- You’re working full-time
- You live far from a campus location
- You prefer learning from home
- Travel or flexibility is a priority
Online workshops are still live and interactive. You’ll be speaking, role-playing and engaging with your group in real time, just through Microsoft Teams instead of a classroom.
The key thing to know is this: The qualification is the same, the skills are the same, and the expectations are the same.
It’s not about choosing the “better” option, it’s about choosing the one that works best for you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No. PLT doesn’t run like university.
There are no weekly lectures or tutorials you need to attend. Instead, most of your learning happens through practical tasks that you complete in your own time through the online Learning Portal.
You’ll work through realistic legal scenarios, draft documents, review files, and prepare submissions, similar to the work junior lawyers do in practice. Workshops are live, interactive training sessions where you practise skills like advocacy, interviewing and negotiation. They’re very different from passive lectures.
In many states, yes.
In VIC, WA, SA, ACT and NT, workshops may be available either online or on campus, depending on the intake you choose.
In NSW and QLD, the admitting authorities require students to attend on-campus workshops as part of their Practical Legal Training. However, students with approved special circumstances or disability adjustments may be able to complete their workshops online instead.
Because formats can vary between courses and intakes, it’s always best to check the details for your specific course before enrolling.
No. Workshops are not recorded.
This is because they are designed to be highly interactive. During workshops, you’ll participate in role-plays, small group exercises, and practical skills training with legal practitioners.
Because you’ll be actively participating, attendance is required.
The number of in-person workshop days depends on your state.
- NSW: 15 days of onsite workshops*
- QLD: 5 days of onsite workshops*
- VIC, WA, SA, ACT, NT: Workshops may be delivered online or on campus depending on the course intake
Even when workshops are delivered onsite, the majority of the course is still completed online. PLT programs run for 15–30 weeks, and at least 80% of your learning happens online through practical coursework.
*Students with approved special circumstances or disability adjustments may be able to complete their workshops online instead.
FIND THE RIGHT PLT FORMAT FOR YOU
Compare online and on-campus workshops, check state requirements, and see upcoming start dates so you can choose the option that fits your life.
