PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING

Now that you’ve completed (or nearly completed) your law degree, you have a strong theoretical understanding of the law.

But you’re not ready to enter the workforce. Not yet.

PLT equips you with the practical, day-to-day skills you need as an entry-level lawyer. You know, the court-appearing, contract-preparing, law-talking kind.

Think of your PLT as the perfect finishing school. A space to practice your skills and build your confidence as an entry-level lawyer who’s ready to soar.

After completing your PLT, you will be awarded a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP). This means you’ll be eligible to apply for admission as a legal practitioner in your state or territory.

You can start your PLT if you have completed all Priestley 11 core subjects of your law degree – with no more than two electives remaining.

To start your PLT before completing your law degree, you’ll need to seek approval from the admitting authority in your state. Find out more here.

During your studies, you'll gain an understanding of the theory of law and study key areas known as the 'Priestley 11’:

1. Administrative law
2. Civil Procedure
3. Company Law
4. Constitutional Law
5. Contracts
6. Criminal Law and
7. Procedures
8. Equity (including Trusts)
9. Evidence
10. Professional Conduct (including Basic Trust Accounting)
11. Property, both Real (including Torrens System Land) and Personal
12. Torts

Keep in mind, there may be additional subjects and electives you'll need to complete, based on your university's requirements.

Nope, you don't need your exam results to enrol. Here's when you'll need to provide them:

In the ACT, NT, VIC and WA, you have until the enrolment close date (one week before the course begins). 

In NSW and SA, you'll need to provide them by the program census date.

In Queensland, you have until the end of the program to provide your exam results.

Our full-time course is 15 weeks.

Our part-time course is 30 weeks. (This is a good option if you work full time or have other commitments.)

Your PLT begins with mandatory workshops (you choose online or on campus).

You will role-play interviews, negotiations and courtroom appearances under the guidance of lawyers, barristers and judges.  

If you work 9-to-5 or lead a busy life during the day, we offer an evening program in NSW, QLD, SA, VIC and WA. Our evening workshops are held after 5.30pm.

There are no traditional written exams here. Our Practical Legal Training (PLT) is all about being hands-on and practical.

After workshops, you'll jump into our interactive Learning Portal where you’ll tackle tasks that feel like real-world scenarios.

To make sure you feel ready to take on the challenges of a legal workplace, you’ll complete a “practice ready review” for each subject. But they’re not your typical test.

Picture a conversation with an evaluator (who is a lawyer), stepping into the shoes of your supervisor. You’ll review the tasks you've completed for a subject and discuss how and why you’ve settled on your conclusions – just like how real matters operate with your supervisor at work. 

The practice ready review is all about boosting your confidence, ensuring you're ready to take on the challenges of a legal workplace.

While it's possible, we generally don't recommend it. Full-time study is 30-35 hours per week for 15 weeks with 2-3 tasks due each week.

PLT is your chance to practice skills before entering the workforce, and having enough time for it ensures the best start to your legal career.

The full-time course is fast-paced, and catching up if you fall behind can be challenging.

On the other hand, the part-time course offers a more relaxed pace. It covers the same content over 30 weeks and is perfect for those with work or family commitments.

Keep in mind, you can switch to part-time in the first week if needed.

Yes. In fact, this is quite common – especially in cases where students have completed some work experience as undergraduates.

At the College, you can count up to 60 days of work experience in the two years before starting your PLT.

Practical Legal Training and the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice are essentially the same thing.

When you finish your PLT, you get a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice qualification. Both are about the training you need after your law degree to become a practicing lawyer. 

Sometimes people call it by the course name (Practical Legal Training), and other times the qualification you receive (Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice).

So, whether you hear PLT or GDLP, you're on the right track for your legal journey.

Once you’ve finished your Practical Legal Training, you’re almost a lawyer—but not quite yet! The next step is applying to the admitting authority to become officially admitted.

To be admitted, you’ll need to:

1. Complete a law degree or equivalent.
2. Finish your Practical Legal Training.
3. Be recognised as a "fit and proper person" by the admitting authority.

In simpler terms, being a "fit and proper person" means they want to make sure you have a good moral character to interpret, argue, and draft the law. 

To prove it, you'll have to let them know if you have any criminal, academic or general misconduct history. Make sure you check the specific rules in your state's admissions authority before moving forward.

When you finally get the green light, get ready to attend an admission ceremony where you'll officially become a lawyer. It’s a chance to celebrate with your friends, family, and colleagues – it's a big achievement!

You can transfer between PLT programs. If you transfer or defer after the census date, a fee will apply.

When enrolling, be realistic about the time you can commit to studying and select a program that offers the pace that best fits your lifestyle.

Part-time: A flexible option that allows you to set your own schedule, committing your 15-17 hours per week to the times that work best for you.

Full-time: For those who are able to commit to full-time study. Full-time immersive courses are 30-35 hours per week.