Practical Legal Training (PLT)
in Australia
Complete your accredited PLT online with IOLT. Study over 24 weeks, complete 20 days of workplace experience, and move from law graduate to admission as an Australian lawyer.
Practical Legal Training course at a glance
Applications open year-roundWhy law graduates choose IOLT for online PLT
Start when your enrolment is approved
No waiting for fixed semester intake periods. Apply when you are ready and commence the 24 week program once your enrolment is approved.
Keep your PLT cost predictable
IOLT's $6,000 PLT fee is all-inclusive, with no separate admission, materials, placement, or resit fees. Flexible payment plans are available.
Study online without pausing your career
Keep your full-time role or other commitments while you qualify. Coursework is delivered online and designed for flexible weekly progress.
What is Practical Legal Training?
Practical Legal Training (PLT) is the structured vocational training stage completed after, or in approved cases near the end of, an LLB or JD. It bridges academic law study and admission by testing whether you can perform the everyday work expected of an entry-level Australian lawyer.
The IOLT program covers the National Competency Standards for Entry-Level Lawyers, including Civil Litigation, Commercial and Corporate Practice, Property Law Practice, Ethics and Professional Responsibility, and Trust and Office Accounting. Students also complete 20 days of supervised workplace experience in a legal setting.
With IOLT, the PLT course is delivered 100% online over 24 weeks, with workplace experience completed within the same course window. That gives students a direct, flexible pathway from law school to admission.
View detailed PLT course information →
Who this online PLT course is for
IOLT is built for students who are ready to complete the practical training stage and want a clear, flexible pathway toward admission as an Australian lawyer.
LLB and JD graduates
Start PLT after completing an Australian law degree and the Priestley 11 academic requirements for admission.
Eligible early-start students
If you have completed the Priestley 11 and have no more than two electives remaining, you may be able to start with prior approval.
Overseas-qualified lawyers
Complete the PLT component of your Australian admission pathway after your academic assessment or required top-up subjects.
Working graduates
Study online while working full-time, balancing family commitments, or completing your workplace experience around other responsibilities.
Nationally recognised Practical Legal Training
IOLT's Practical Legal Training course is nationally recognised for Australian admission pathways. Graduates use PLT as part of the process of applying for admission and, after admission, a practising certificate in their chosen jurisdiction.
The program is accredited by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia, the statutory admission authority constituted under Part 14 of the Legal Profession Act 2008 (WA). Under the national admission framework and mutual recognition arrangements between state admitting authorities, this accreditation supports admission pathways across Australia.
IOLT graduates have been admitted to practice in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and other jurisdictions. IOLT's status as an accredited PLT provider is published on the Legal Practice Board's register of approved providers.
Chair of the Academic Board
When I look back on my legal career, from advising the Australian Banking Royal Commission to helping international governments implement complex regulatory frameworks, one truth stands out: the law is only as effective as the practitioners who wield it.
Law is the fundamental architecture of our society. Through my work with institutions such as the European Parliament and the World Bank, I have been driven by a singular passion: ensuring that our legal and financial systems serve the community. Achieving that requires lawyers who possess sharp intellectual precision, practical competence, and a profound sense of ethical duty.
Whether you are drafting your first affidavit, advising a corporate client on regulatory compliance, or standing up in court, the foundation you build here will dictate the kind of Australian Legal Practitioner you become. I invite you to embrace the rigour of our Programs and join us in shaping the future of the legal profession.
Online PLT program overview and entry requirements
A streamlined 24 week Practical Legal Training program that combines online coursework, practical skills assessment, and 20 days of supervised workplace experience in the same course window.
Coursework
Structured online learning delivered through IOLT's Virtual Law Firm. Build practical capability through drafting, advice, file management, ethics, trust accounting, and client-focused tasks.
View the IOLT PLT curriculum →Workplace Experience
20 days of supervised workplace experience in a law firm, in-house team, community legal centre, government legal branch, or barrister's chambers. Self-arranged and IOLT-arranged options are available.
Read placement guidance →Eligibility: when can you start?
- Graduates: start after completing your LLB or JD and the Priestley 11 academic requirements.
- Current students: early start may be available if you have no more than two electives remaining and prior approval.
- Prerequisites: all core Priestley 11 subjects must be complete.
How to become a lawyer in Australia
Complete a law degree
Obtain an LLB or JD from an accredited Australian university covering the Priestley 11 subjects.
Practical Legal Training
Complete a PLT program and 20 days of supervised workplace experience. With IOLT, both in 24 weeks.
Admission and practising certificate
Admission to the Supreme Court, followed by a state practising certificate to begin practising as a solicitor.
Read the full admission guide →Graduate testimonial
Studying at IOLT has changed the way I manage my time and goals. The flexible learning environment made it more realistic for me to work, study, and manage a healthy personal life. IOLT has offered me the confidence to progress my legal career while continuing my other commitments.
Practical Legal Training
built around your career
Built around your commitments
Designed for graduates working full-time or balancing other commitments. Complete your PLT on a schedule that fits your life.
Skills you will use from day one
Practical training in drafting, file management, client communication, and the day-to-day work of a junior solicitor.
From law school to admission
A clear, accredited pathway from finishing your law degree to being sworn in as an Australian lawyer.
Frequently asked questions about Practical Legal Training
What is Practical Legal Training (PLT)?
Practical Legal Training is the structured training stage between finishing a law degree and being admitted as a lawyer in Australia. Every law graduate needs to complete an accredited PLT course as part of the pathway to admission. PLT covers the practical skills, values and practice area knowledge required by the national Competency Standards for Entry-Level Lawyers, including civil litigation, commercial practice, property law, ethics, and trust accounting.
How long does the IOLT PLT program take?
The IOLT program is a 24 week pathway. This includes both the online coursework and the 20 days of supervised workplace experience, which are completed concurrently within the same 24 week window. Students working full-time typically spread the workplace experience across the program rather than completing it as a continuous block.
How much does PLT cost in Australia?
PLT fees vary between providers. IOLT's Practical Legal Training course is $6,000 all-inclusive, with no separate admission, materials, placement, or resit fees. Flexible payment plans are available so you can spread the cost across the duration of the course.
Who can apply for IOLT's online PLT course?
IOLT accepts applications from law graduates who have completed an LLB or JD and the Priestley 11 academic requirements. Eligible final-year students may also be able to commence PLT early with prior approval, and overseas-qualified lawyers can apply once their Australian admission pathway requires PLT.
How many days of workplace experience are required?
IOLT requires 20 days of supervised workplace experience as part of the 24 week course. Placements can be at a private law firm, in-house corporate legal team, community legal centre, government legal branch, or other recognised legal environment. Workplace experience can be self-arranged or arranged through IOLT.
Can I start my PLT before I graduate (Early Start)?
Yes, in limited circumstances. Law students who have completed all core Priestley 11 subjects and have no more than two electives remaining may be able to commence PLT with prior written approval from the relevant admitting authority. The approval process depends on your jurisdiction and university evidence.
Can I work full-time while completing PLT?
Yes. The coursework is delivered online and designed for students balancing PLT with work, family, or other commitments. You still need to complete the required learning activities, assessments, and 20 days of supervised workplace experience within the course window.
Is IOLT's Practical Legal Training accredited?
Yes. IOLT's Practical Legal Training course is approved by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. Under Australia's admission framework, this supports a nationally recognised pathway toward admission.
Where will my admission ceremony be held?
IOLT graduates attend a Supreme Court admission ceremony in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth, or Darwin. It is a single day, and you choose the city that works best for you. Once admitted, you have national portability and can apply for a state practising certificate to practise as a solicitor anywhere in Australia.
Is the coursework delivered online?
Yes. The IOLT curriculum is delivered 100% online with rolling start dates, so you can complete the coursework from anywhere in Australia without attending a campus.
Where can I find more detailed information?
For a full breakdown of subjects, fees, workplace experience requirements, and enrolment, visit our dedicated page on PLT course information.