Practical Legal Training (PLT) Melbourne & Victoria
Your final critical step to the Supreme Court of Victoria. High-quality, cost-effective, and focused on professional reality.
What is Practical Legal Training?
Practical Legal Training (PLT) is the mandatory vocational bridge between the completion of a law degree and admission as a legal practitioner in Victoria. While a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) from University of Melbourne (UniMelb), Monash University (Monash), Deakin University (Deakin), La Trobe University (LTU), Swinburne University of Technology (Swinburne), Victoria University (VU), Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Australian Catholic University (ACU) or another Australian University focuses on substantive doctrine, PLT is designed to transform that academic foundation into billable professional skills.
Managed under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Victoria), PLT ensures that graduates meet the National Competency Standards required to practise law competently and ethically. It is the final requirement for the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) to issue a Compliance Certificate for your admission to the Supreme Court.
Our program focuses on the high-value, practical tasks that senior partners expect from junior solicitors on Day 1 in a Victorian firm.
'Billable vs Academic' Comparison
| Aspect | Law School (LLB/JD) | Our PLT Program (IOLT) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Legal Doctrine & Theory | Billable Vocational Skills |
| Output | Academic Essays | Affidavits, Writs & Deeds |
| Key Objective | Academic Research | Client-Ready Deliverables |
1. The 'Billable' Skill Set
In PLT, you learn how to bill time and deliver value through:
- Conveyancing: Executing property settlements via PEXA using the Transfer of Land Act 1958 (Vic).
- Civil Litigation: Drafting Writs compliant with the Supreme Court (General Civil Procedure) Rules 2015 (Vic).
- Trust Accounting: Managing client funds according to Victorian Uniform Law standards.
2. Bridging the 'Experience Gap'
Our 24-week coursework and 20-day placement close the gap by focusing on:
- Advocacy: Appearing in the Magistrates' or County Court for mentions.
- Interviewing: Extracting facts and giving commercially practical advice.
- Work Management: Meeting deadlines and maintaining professional boundaries.
3. Victorian Regulatory Framework
Training incorporates the specific requirements of the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB).
Your Admission Pathway in Victoria
1. Concurrent Study (Start Early)
If you have completed your Priestley 11 units and have only 2 electives left, you can start PLT early with VLAB permission.
2. Complete Coursework
Finish your 24-week practical legal training modules focused on Victorian practice.
3. 20-Day Placement
Work under a qualified Victorian practitioner (holding a current VIC practicing certificate).
4. Fit and Proper Assessment
Prepare your application for VLAB, including disclosures, to demonstrate you are a "fit and proper person."
5. Admission Ceremony
Ready for the admission ceremonies at the Supreme Court of NSW, QLD, WA.
Frequently Asked Questions for VIC Law Grads
National university-based providers often charge over $10,000. Our program is fixed at $6,000, offering a cost-effective alternative for Melbourne and regional Victorian law graduates.
Yes, in Victoria you can start PLT early if you have completed all Priestley 11 core subjects and have no more than two electives remaining, subject to VLAB approval.