If you are studying law at university, are a recent law graduate, or are undertaking practical legal training, Queensland Law Society (QLS) can assist in your transition from law student to solicitor.
To help you make important career decisions we provide information about job options available in the profession and explain the requirements and procedures for gaining admission to the Supreme Court of Queensland and a Practising Certificate.
Required study and training
Become a solicitor will give you an understanding of how to become a solicitor in Queensland, including the required study and training, admission to the Supreme Court of Queensland and obtaining a Practising Certificate from QLS.
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 here.
Support and opportunities
QLS Legal Careers Expo
The QLS Legal Careers Expo, held in March gives students you the chance to speak to industry representatives who can answer your questions; learn what this dynamic industry offers; and presentations that will kick-start your career.
Seasonal Clerkship & Graduate Recruitment
We know making decisions around graduate or seasonal clerkship placements can be overwhelming. As your member organisation, we want to streamline this process for you as much as possible.
That’s why QLS has created the QLS Seasonal Clerkship and Graduate Recruitment Guidelines. The guidelines aim to provide students and firms transparency and consistency through the legal recruitment process and allows you the time to simultaneously consider offers received and make an informed decision that is right for you.
Student membership
Law students who intend to become solicitors are entitled to QLS student membership incurring an annual $10 member fee (payable with application), with QLS providing you with a wide range of professional, social and community focused benefits, discounts, resources and future career opportunities.
Student membership is available to those who are currently undertaking any study that is designed to qualify them for admission as an Australian lawyer. It is available to currently enrolled university law students, recent law graduates or graduates who are undertaking practical legal training.