Lawyers play an important role in the legal system of Australia. They advise and represent individuals, businesses and organizations on a variety of legal matters.
They assist clients with navigating the legal system, drafting legal documents, and negotiating settlements.
In this post, you will learn how to become a Lawyer in Australia. To become a Lawyer in Australia, you must complete the following 5 steps:
How to become a Lawyer in Australia
Step 1: Get a Law Degree
- The first step to becoming an Australian lawyer is to obtain a law degree from an accredited university.
- The program usually lasts three to four years and covers a wide range of legal topics such as contract law, criminal law and constitutional law.
Step 2: Complete a Period of Practical Legal Training
- After completing a law degree, you must complete a period of practical legal training.
- This can take the form of a graduate diploma in legal practice or a practical legal training course, both designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to practice law.
Step 3: Admission to the Legal Profession
- After completing your practical legal education, you must be admitted to the legal profession in the state or territory in which you wish to practice.
- This procedure usually involves passing a series of tests as well as meeting character and fitness requirements.
Step 4: Complete Ongoing Professional Development
- To maintain your practising certificate after being admitted to the legal profession, you must complete ongoing professional development.
- Each year, this usually entails completing a certain number of hours of continuing legal education.
Step 5: Get a Job
- After you complete all the necessary education and training you will be able to get a job in a law firm, government agency or the in-house legal department of various organizations.
- Some lawyers prefer to practice alone or establish their own law firms.
Note: There are numerous areas of law in which you can specialise, each with its own set of requirements, such as criminal law, family law, commercial law, and many others.
Furthermore, the requirements and process may differ slightly between states and territories, so it’s important to check the specific requirements for the area in which you intend to practise.