Your legal career

Studying law in Queensland

If you are studying law at university, are a recent law graduate, or are undertaking practical legal training, Queensland Law Society (QLS) can assist in your transition from law student to solicitor.

How to become a solicitor

To practise as a solicitor in Queensland you need to:

• complete an approved law degree
• complete an approved practical legal training course or a supervised traineeship with a firm
• apply for admission to the Roll of Lawyers
• apply for a practising certificate.

Admission

The Supreme Court is responsible for the admission of lawyers in Queensland. It is assisted by the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board (LPAB), which issues recommendations as to the eligibility & suitability of applicants in the form of a certificate of compliance.

Practising certificates

Before you can practise as a solicitor, you need to be admitted to the legal profession as a lawyer and hold a current practising certificate issued by the Queensland Law Society or by the designated regulatory authority in another Australian jurisdiction.

Continuing professional development

Practitioners are required to complete a minimum of 10 CPD points each year to maintain their practising certificate, stay up to date with legislative changes and the evolution of the ‘business of law’ in their practices.

Student membership

Student membership is available to those who are currently undertaking any study that is designed to qualify them for admission as an Australian lawyer. It is available to currently enrolled university law students, recent law graduates or graduates who are undertaking practical legal training.