To practise law in Queensland you are required to be admitted to the Roll of Lawyers of the Supreme Court of Queensland. Graduates wishing to be admitted must undertake additional legal training through either the practical legal training (PLT) course or Bar Practice Course, and/or by serving as a supervised trainee.
Once admitted you will be required to apply for a practising certificate from Queensland Law Society to practise as a solicitor, or the Bar Association of Queensland to practise as a barrister.
Step 1—Additional legal training
Practical legal training
The most popular method of satisfying the admission criteria for practical legal training (PLT) is to undertake a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (also known as a PLT course) through a PLT provider.
PLT is designed to equip you with practical skills like ethics, legal writing and drafting, advocacy and interview skills among others, required for entry into legal practice.
Supervised traineeship/articles
Supervised traineeships cover the core competencies required by the Supreme Court (Legal Practitioner Admission) Amendment Rule (No 2) 2005 for admission. Traineeships are conducted in the workplace and are structured to ensure that you receive adequate training, supervision and assessment. It takes approximately 12 months to complete and is a popular method of admission for those seeking future employment in the state’s top-tier law firms. Click here to view a list of FAQs on traineeship.
Step 2—Admission as a solicitor
The Supreme Court of Queensland admits you to the Roll of Lawyers and is assisted by the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board, which issues an applicant’s certificate of compliance. To be eligible for admission, you must have completed an approved law degree, an approved practical legal training course or supervised traineeship at a firm, and be able to satisfy the Admission Board and the Court of your fitness to practise. To find out more, click here.
Step 3—Practising certificates
A practising certificate is required to practise as a solicitor in Queensland. Certificates are issued by Queensland Law Society under the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) and they must be renewed annually. To apply for your practising certificate, click here.
Barristers are also required to hold a practising certificate, which is issued by the Bar Association of Queensland. Visit qldbar.asn.au for more information on how to become a barrister.