WORK EXPERIENCE NSW PRE-MARCH 2026
If you started your Practical Legal Training (PLT) course before 1 March 2026, the work experience requirements below apply to you.
From 1 March 2026, the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) introduced new PLT requirements in New South Wales. These changes apply to students who start their course from 1 March 2026 onwards.
If you began your course before this date, you will continue under the previous work experience requirements outlined below.
YOUR OPTIONS
If you started PLT before 1 March 2026, you can meet the work experience requirement in one of two ways:
| 15 DAYS' WORK EXPERIENCE | 75 DAYS' WORK EXPERIENCE |
|---|---|
|
Amount 15 days |
Amount 75 days |
|
Who it's for Great for students balancing work in non-legal roles, caring responsibilities, or anyone who prefers a shorter placement. |
Who it's for? Ideal if you’ve already built substantial experience or have a longer placement lined up. |
|
How it works All 15 days’ work experience must be completed in Australia, after starting your PLT, at a minimum of 2 days per week. |
How it works At least 15 days’ work experience must be completed in Australia, after starting your PLT and accrued at a minimum of 2 days per week. The remaining days can be completed in Australia or overseas (eligibility rules apply), either in the two years before your PLT or after you start, at a minimum of 1 day per week. |
|
Additional Coursework
|
Additional Coursework None
|
|
Additional Fee $1,690 (FEE-HELP available). |
Additional Fee None |
WORK EXPERIENCE EXAMPLES
You have a huge range of opportunities that may count towards your Work Experience component. Examples include:
- Summer clerkships
- Paralegal work
- Volunteering at community legal centres
- A placement with Legal Aid
- Working with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
- Tax or legal division of chartered accountants
- Government policy and planning work of a legal nature
- Judge’s associate or tipstaff
- Assisting barristers in chambers
- Working in government or semi-government legal departments
- Assisting Tribunal members
- Company in-house legal departments
WORK EXPERIENCE RULES
To make sure your work experience counts, it must meet these rules:
- It has to involve the delivery of legal services.
- You need to be supervised by an appropriate supervisor.
- It can be done in one or multiple placements.
- You can include experience from your undergraduate days, but it can’t cover the entire requirement.
Here are the full Work Experience Rules for more details.
CAN WORK EXPERIENCE BE APPROVED RETROSPECTIVELY?
Yes. In fact, this is quite common – especially in cases where students have completed some work experience as undergraduates. However, approval is at our discretion. Your work experience must still comply with the Work Experience Rules – and you still need to follow Steps 2-6 above.
15 DAYS' WORK EXPERIENCE OPTION
This option involves 15 days of work experience combined with six weeks of additional online coursework, allowing you to complete the remaining practical learning through structured activities.
ADDITIONAL 6-WEEK ONLINE PROGRAM
Advanced practice skills in interviewing and negotiation are taught in the context of real world scenarios.
You are required to submit detailed interview and negotiation plans* and participate in and complete a file note of a client interview and take part in a related negotiation activity leading to agreed terms of settlement.
A reflective analysis of a judgement in a legal disciplinary matter.
A reflective analysis of the way client expectations were identified and managed during the work experience placement.
Based on observation during your placement, a reflective analysis of how clients’ legal problems were resolved, examining the roles of the parties involved and the processes employed.
A critical analysis of two aspects of practice management observed during the work experience placement.
Following completion of online modules from the Legal Business Skills series on:
- Commencing legal practice
- Building confidenceDeveloping a commercial mindset
- Creating your personal brand
- Developing financial literacy.
You will complete a critical and reflective analysis of those skills observed during the work experience placement including analysis of developments in innovation and technology.
ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK DATES
| Start Date | Census Date | End Date | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Feb 2026 | 10 Feb 2026 | 13 Mar 2026 | AM26_NB01 |
| 16 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 1 May 2026 | AM26_NB02 |
| 27 Apr 2026 | 5 May 2026 | 5 Jun 2026 | AM26_NB03 |
| 18 May 2026 | 26 May 2026 | 26 Jun 2026 | AM26_NB04 |
| 22 Jun 2026 | 30 Jun 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | AM26_NB05 |
| Start Date | Census Date | End Date | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jan 2026 | 20 Jan 2026 | 20 Feb 2026 | AM26_QB01 |
| 02 Mar 2026 | 10 Mar 2026 | 10 Apr 2026 | AM26_QB02 |
| 13 Apr 2026 | 21 Apr 2026 | 22 May 2026 | AM26_QB03 |
| 11 May 2026 | 19 May 2026 | 19 Jun 2026 | AM26_QB04 |
| 01 Jun 2026 | 9 Jun 2026 | 10 Jul 2026 | AM26_QB05 |
| Start Date | Census Date | End Date | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05 Jan 2026 | 13 Jan 2026 | 13 Feb 2026 | AM26_VB03 |
| 02 Feb 3026 | 10 Feb 2026 | 13 Mar 2026 | AM26_VB04 |
| 02 Mar 2026 | 10 Mar 2026 | 10 Apr 2026 | AM26_VB05 |
| 30 Mar 2026 | 07 Apr 2026 | 08 May 2026 | AM26_VB06 |
| 27 Apr 2026 | 05 May 2026 | 05 Jun 2026 | AM26_VB07 |
| 18 May 2026 | 26 May 2026 | 26 Jun 2026 | AM26_VB08 |
| 22 Jun 2026 | 30 Jun 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 | AM26_VB09 |
| Start Date | Census Date | End Date | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05 Jan 2026 | 13 Jan 2026 | 13 Feb 2026 | AM26_SB01 |
| 02 Feb 2026 | 10 Feb 2026 | 13 Mar 2026 | AM26_SB02 |
| 16 Mar 2026 | 24 Mar 2026 | 24 Apr 2026 | AM26_SB03 |
| 13 Apr 2026 | 21 Apr 2026 | 22 May 2026 | AM26_SB04 |
| 18 May 2026 | 26 May 2026 | 26 Jun 2026 | AM26_SB05 |
| 15 Jun 2026 | 23 Jun 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | AM26_SB06 |
