Studying law

Recognised law degrees (Approved academic qualifications)

There is the option of completing a single bachelor of law (LLB) degree  degree or juris doctor (JD), but most students combine a law degree with another degree to enhance their employment prospects upon graduation.

Completion of a single degree takes approximately 3 years and a double degree usually takes about 5 years. However, there is no requirement to complete a double degree to gain admission as a lawyer.In Queensland there are ten law schools offering approved academic qualifications.

Practical training (Approved practical legal training requirements)

Graduates wishing to be admitted must also undertake additional legal training by  completing a practical legal training (PLT) course, or serving as a supervised trainee.

Practical legal training courses cover training in skills, practice areas and values such as ethics, legal writing and drafting, interview skills and other common practice-related competencies.

Traineeships are a form of on-the-job training which offers the opportunity to gain practical knowledge in a practice environment while earning a wage.

In Queensland there are four PLT providers offering approved PLT courses, or approved programmed training which is an additional requirement of a traineeship. In certain circumstances, trainees may need to complete supplementary training as part of their traineeship which can also be completed with any of the four PLT providers.

A law student may commence PLT early to be completed concurrently with their final subjects of their law degree/double degree or juris doctor if they have no more than two subjects to complete, neither of which are a Priestly 11 subject. Please see further information in relation to early commencement of PLT.