The practice of law in Queensland is regulated by the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) (LPA) and its subordinate legislation.
A person must not engage in legal practice in Queensland unless they are an Australian legal practitioner (ie. a person admitted to the legal profession under the Legal Profession Act 2007 or a corresponding law who holds a current local/interstate practising certificate) (LPA s.24(1), s.5(1) and s.6(1)). However, this does not apply to the practice of foreign law by an Australian Registered Foreign Lawyers (ARFL) under part 2.8 of the (LPA s.24(2)(c)).
A person must not practice foreign law in Queensland unless they are either an Australian Legal Practitioner or Australian Registered Foreign Lawyers (LPA s.165), although there are certain exceptions (LPA s.165(2)). Although Australian Registered Foreign Lawyers may practice foreign law in Queensland, they are not entitled to practice Australian law in Queensland (s.167(2)).
To apply for registration as an Australian Registered Foreign Lawyer, you need to be an overseas-registered foreign lawyer (LPA s.177) and do the following:
- download from below and complete Queensland Law Society (QLS) Form 28 (LPA) - Application by Foreign Lawyer for Grant of Registration to Practise Foreign Law in Queensland
- provide the supporting documents outlined in the form
- pay the application fee of AUD$356.20
- if you will be practising foreign law in Queensland as an associate of a practice in Queensland, pay a contribution to the Legal Practitioners' Fidelity Guarantee Fund of $285 as set out in r.25A of the QLS Administration Rule 2005 (Qld), and
- deliver or post the above to the Secretary at the address on the form or email to records@qls.com.au.
If you are registered in another Australian jurisdiction as an Australian Registered Foreign Lawyers, it is not necessary for you to register in Queensland in order to practise foreign law here. However, you are requested to notify the Society's Secretary of your intention to do so.
For more information about the practice of foreign law, please read part 2.8 of the Legal Profession Act 2007 (Qld) and part 2.8 of the Legal Profession Regulation 2017 (Qld). Download the Queensland Law Society Administration Rule 2005 (Qld).
QLS provides this information to assist legal practitioners in understanding the laws regulating the practice of foreign law in Queensland. The purpose of this information is to provide general guidance - it is not intended to be comprehensive or constitute legal, structuring, financial, tax or duty advice. QLS accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information or opinions appearing above, or for any loss flowing from its use. You should obtain your own legal and financial advice about the above information.
Fees and charges typically increase on 1 July each year. On 1 July 2025, fees and charges were indexed by 3.4 per cent in line with Government’s indexation policy.