How to Become an Attorney in Australia

If you are considering a law career in Australia, ensure you have researched and studied the differences in the education system and the ways in which law is practiced down under. Australian law is based on the British common law system and, unlike the U.S., is based on the constitutional monarchy system of government. Lawyers are more commonly referred to as barristers and solicitors which have a slightly different meaning than they do in the U.S. Barristers deal more with the courts and solicitors are more closely connected with clients. Statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics state there are approximately 100,000 people employed in the legal profession, out of a population of approximately 21 million. Understanding the system, what types of law is practiced and the various state bar admissions in Australia can aid you in your decisions and help you choose if practicing law down under is right for you.

Instructions

    • 1

      Understand the requirements of where you live. In Australia, not unlike the U.S. and Canada, the country is made of states each of which houses its own law society and bar admissions administrations. They are indeed all separate and admissions are conducted separately, however, generally, admission to one law society will make it easy to obtain what is called a "practicing certificate" in another jurisdiction. Choose where you want to live and ensure that the law you want to practice is admissible by the particular bar admissions society of that state. There are seven Bar administrations in Australia.

    • 2

      Seek out the required education. Normally a three and/or four year law degree is required from an accredited Australian school in order to practice law in that country. A three year degree is required if the applicant already has a degree in a previous area of study. If you have moved or are moving from another country, Australian law societies do accept accreditation from many other outside universities but more likely than not you will be asked to undertake further study within Australia as part of your accreditation. The degree is called a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), or in some cases, a Juris Doctor (JD). Research is important as there are over 30 schools in Australia that offer law programs. Some of the more prominent schools include Victoria University, University of Sydney and University of Melbourne (to name just a few in some of the larger cities).

    • 3

      Get practical experience. Australia, much like Canada's "articling" system, requires law students to complete what is called a "practical training course," or, in some cases, articles of clerkship. Generally speaking, an individual does not engage in a practical training course until after he has completed his legal education and in many cases this training can last from six months to one year. Again, research of the schools you are interested in will tell you the requirements for obtaining your law degree and the ability to practice in that particular state. Information from such places as the Law Council of Australia and ACT Law Society can assist with information in navigating the legal profession once you have studied and are ready to begin practicing law in Australia.

    • 4

      Research requirements that must be approved by the jurisdiction in Australia you are seeking to practice law in. A foreign lawyer must be entitled to practice law in their jurisdiction of origin and the jurisdiction of origin must have a proper system of regulating the practice of law.

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