Each CPD year, practitioners are required to complete a minimum of 10 CPD points (including one point in each of the three mandatory core areas of Practical Legal Ethics, Practice Management and Business Skills, and Professional Skills) to maintain their practising certificate, stay up to date with legislative changes and the evolution of the ‘business of law’ in their practices.
The CPD year runs from 1 April to 31 March the following year. Practitioners are encouraged to record their CPD points in their MyQLS CPD portal. For further information please see the QLS CPD guide (below) and Part 6 of Queensland Law Society Administration Rule 2005 (the Administration Rule).
Rule 49 of the Administration Rule provides grounds for a whole or part exemption from undertaking CPD for the relevant CPD year. Prior to the expiry of the CPD year (31 March), practitioners may apply for an extension of time to complete their CPD activities. Practitioners can apply for a CPD exemption or extension by completing the relevant form (below) and sending it to cpd@qls.com.au.
Note: If apply for an exemption under rule 49(1)(c) of the Administration Rule, please confirm which ground the exemption is sought under (parenting leave, unemployment or illness).
Specialist accreditation
Requires an ongoing commitment to learning – accredited specialists are required to complete 15 CPD points annually, 10 of which need to be in your area of accreditation
For enquiries about CPD compliance and for applications for exemption/extension, please contact cpd@qls.com.au.
Frequently Asked Questions about CPD compliance
The CPD year runs from 1 April to 31 March of the following year. Each year, you are required to complete ten CPD units within this timeframe, unless you have been exempted or your practicing certificate commences during the CPD year.
A legal practitioner who commences or recommences legal practice on or after the start of a CPD year must complete on a pro-rata basis during the balance of the CPD year the CPD units as set out in the table listed at rule 47(7) of the Queensland Law Society Administration Rule 2005..
CPD units acquired during the period from 1 January to 31 March may be counted in either the current CPD year or the following CPD year, but not both. Therefore, if the event you attended was held during this period, you can claim it for the current or the next CPD year.
However, CPD units from events held outside this period cannot be claimed for a different CPD year. Each CPD year runs from 1 April to 31 March, and you must complete the required units within that timeframe.
You may claim 1 CPD unit for every hour of private study of audio/visual material, such as recordings of events. There is no maximum limit for this format, so you can accumulate as many units as your study hours allow. General private study does not constitute an approved CPD activity.
For more details, refer to Rule 48(2) of the Queensland Law Society Administration Rule 2005.
Yes, you can still claim CPD units for a CPD event that your firm purchased, even if you did not personally purchase or register for it. As long as you actively participate in the event, you are eligible to claim the CPD units associated with it.
Make sure to keep a record of your participation, as you may need to provide evidence if requested.
If you are an accredited specialist, there are specific CPD requirements that differ from the standard requirements for non-specialists. Accredited specialists are required to complete a minimum of 10 CPD units each CPD year, with at least 5 of those units being in the area of their speciality.
This ensures that accredited specialists maintain and enhance their expertise in their specific field of law. The remaining units can be completed in any area of law or professional development.
Part 6 of the Queensland Law Society Administration Rule 2005 applies to all holders of a current practicing certificate issued by the Society including the holders of volunteer practicing certificate.
Yes, if you hold a volunteer practicing certificate, you are still required to complete CPD each year. According to the QLS CPD Rules, you must complete ten CPD units annually, unless you have been exempted by the CPD Committee or your practicing certificate commences during a CPD year, in which case you would complete CPD units on a pro-rata basis.
Rule 49(1)(a) of the Administration Rule provides either a whole or part exemption from the practitioner’s CPD obligations on the basis that the practitioner has been in practice for a period exceeding forty years and holds a practicing certificate other than a principal practising certificate.
An application under 49(1)(a) of the Administration Rule may become a permanent exemption from compliance with Part 6 of the Administration Rule while the practitioner remains eligible.
If you have held been in practice for a period exceeding 40 years but hold a Principal practicing certificate, you are ineligible to apply for and hold a permanent exemption.
CPD
Learn about CPD obligations, audits and exemptions to support your professional development.