Practical Legal Training (PLT) | Flexible Online Course | IOLT

Practical Legal Training (PLT)
Everything you need to know

Early commencement, the streamlined admission process, and everything you need to know about practicing law nationwide.

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Overview
Mode
100% Online
Start date
Rolling Intakes (Start Anytime)
Workplace Experience
20 Days (Arranged by us or you)
Prerequisite
LLB, JD, or Early Start
Fees
$6,000 (Total Course Fee)
Duration
24 Weeks
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The Final Step to Your Legal Career

What is Practical Legal Training (PLT)?

Practical Legal Training (PLT) is the mandatory vocational training program required to become a practicing lawyer in Australia. Completed after a law degree, PLT bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world legal practice by teaching essential day-to-day skills like legal drafting, advocacy, and trust accounting. A standard PLT program involves:

  • Practical Coursework: Training aligned with National Competency Standards, covering daily legal tasks like drafting affidavits, running property settlements, and managing client trust accounts.
  • Workplace Experience: A mandatory period of supervised professional placement in a recognized legal environment to gain hands-on experience.
  • The Final Qualification: Upon successful completion of PLT graduates receive a Certificate of completion, which is required to officially apply for admission to practice law in Australian states and territories.

When Can I Start My Practical Legal Training?

Start Anytime (No intake periods)

Unlike traditional universities, IOLT operates on a rolling admissions basis. There are no strict intake periods or semesters to wait for. You can apply today and commence your coursework immediately.

Choose Your Eligibility Pathway

Pathway 1: Standard Entry

Most students begin their PLT immediately after finishing their law degree.

Requirement: You must have completed an academic qualification in law (LLB, JD, or equivalent) that leads to admission to the legal profession.

Pathway 2: Early Commencement (Concurrent Study)

Eager to get started? You can begin your PLT while completing the final subjects of your law degree if you meet the following conditions:

  • You have no more than two subjects remaining.
  • You have successfully completed all core Priestley 11 subjects.
  • Your remaining subjects are purely electives.

Course Duration & Timeline

The complete IOLT Practical Legal Training course takes 24 weeks. Our flexible online structure is designed to allow you to work full-time while completing your PLT.

Law student studying in a bright, contemporary PLT library

Practical Legal Training (PLT) Course Structure

The course is completed in 24 weeks by undertaking online coursework and workplace experience concurrently.

Coursework

Your PLT coursework bridges the gap between the theory you learned in your law degree and the daily realities of legal practice. All coursework is delivered and managed entirely online via the PLT portal, giving you the flexibility to study from anywhere.

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Subject Areas

  • Lawyer Skills
  • Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  • Civil Litigation
  • Commercial Property
  • Wills and Estates
  • Criminal Law

Practical Assessments

Assessed through tasks that mirror real lawyer work. Drafting leases, statements of claim, and client advice.

No Exams

There are no exams. Every assessment is a practical task you'd encounter as a junior solicitor.

Optimised Pacing

Assessments are scheduled and paced so you can cover ground without feeling overworked.

Workplace Experience

Workplace experience immerses you in a live legal environment, where you apply your drafting and practical legal skills to real client matters under professional supervision. This allows you to build confidence with file management, client communication, and day-to-day solicitor work.

Pacing

Your workplace experience must be completed during the 24 week course. You can complete the 20 days at your own pace throughout the 24 weeks. Some students choose to complete them all in a 4-week block, while others prefer to spread them out.

Placement Options

Self-Arranged

Complete your 20 days at your current workplace or a firm of your choice.

IOLT Arranged

Select 'IOLT Arranged' on your application form to access our placement arrangement service (places are limited).

20 Days Supervised Placement
What counts as a valid placement?

Many students assume they must work in a traditional private law firm, but the definition of a valid legal environment is much broader. You can complete your required days in a variety of settings, including:

  • Private law firms (boutique, mid-tier, or top-tier)
  • In-house corporate legal teams
  • Community Legal Centres (CLCs)
  • Government roles (e.g., legal and policy branch within a department)
Tracking Your Days

During your placement, you will keep a log of your completed days and the practical legal tasks you undertake to ensure you meet the admission criteria for your specific state or territory.

The IOLT Advantage

Cost-effective

$6,000 total. No hidden fees or bloated academic costs. Just the training you need for admission.

Optimised Timeline

Complete in 24 Weeks at a steady, realistic pace. Designed to fit around your life.

Start Anytime

No semester intakes. Once you've applied and are approved, you can start immediately.

National Admission Pathway

Our PLT is fully national, allowing you to gain admission in any Australian state or territory with a simple, transparent process.

1

Complete PLT

Finish your 100% online coursework and 20 days of Workplace Experience.

2

Admission Ceremony

Travel to Sydney (NSW), Canberra (ACT), Brisbane (QLD), or Perth (WA) for your formal admission ceremony. This in-person event is a mandatory legal requirement.

3

Practice Anywhere

Once admitted, you apply for your practicing certificate in your home state.

NSW VIC WA QLD SA TAS ACT NT

Practical Legal Training for International Students

Complete your coursework online from anywhere. Same tuition fees as domestic students, with visa-aligned structuring.

International Student Guide →
Student studying law

Domestic Fees Only

Pay the exact same tuition as Australian citizens. No international surcharges.

Visa-Aligned

Coursework is specifically mapped to meet your student visa conditions.

Study from Anywhere

Complete your coursework online from your home country or while travelling.