Practical Legal Training (PLT) Perth & Western Australia
Your final critical step to the Supreme Court of WA. 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 Western Australia. While a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) from University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University (Curtin), Murdoch University (Murdoch), Edith Cowan University (ECU), University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) or another Australian University focuses on substantive doctrine and legal theory, PLT is designed to transform that academic foundation into billable professional skills.
Managed under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (WA), PLT ensures that graduates meet the National Competency Standards required to practise law competently and ethically. It is the final requirement for the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA) to issue a Compliance Certificate for your admission to the Supreme Court.
The primary goal of our PLT program is to move you away from 'thinking like a student' and toward 'acting like a lawyer.' We focus on the high-value, practical tasks that senior partners expect from junior solicitors on Day 1.
'Billable vs Academic' Comparison
This table outlines the transition you will make during your 24 weeks with us:
| Aspect | Law School (LLB/JD) | Our PLT Program (IOLT) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Legal Doctrine & Theory | Billable Vocational Skills |
| Output | 3,000-word Academic Essays | Affidavits, Writs & Deeds |
| Key Objective | Academic Research | Client-Ready Deliverables |
1. The 'Billable' Skill Set
In law school, you wrote essays on the history of equity; in PLT, you learn how to bill time and deliver value through:
- Drafting & Conveyancing: Executing property settlements via PEXA using the Transfer of Land Act (WA).
- Civil Litigation Strategy: Drafting Writs and Statements of Claim compliant with the Rules of the Supreme Court 1971 (WA).
- Trust Accounting: Managing client funds—a vital survival skill for any Perth firm.
2. Bridging the 'Experience Gap'
Most law graduates feel 'over-educated but under-skilled.' Our 24-week coursework and 20-day placement close this gap by focusing on:
- Interviewing & Advising: Extracting facts and giving commercially practical advice.
- Advocacy: Appearing in Magistrates or District Courts for mentions.
- Work Management: Meeting deadlines and maintaining professional boundaries.
3. The WA Regulatory Framework
Your training is grounded in the local landscape and incorporates the specific requirements of the Legal Practice Board of WA.
Aligned with Western Australian Legal Framework:
Admission Requirements for the Supreme Court of WA
You must complete a series of requirements set by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA). Our Practical Legal Training (PLT) program is designed specifically to meet these standards, providing the final bridge between your law degree and your admission ceremony at the Supreme Court of WA.
The WA-Specific PLT Pathway
We provide the mandatory training component required for your Compliance Certificate. Our program is built for WA graduates who want a practical, streamlined path to practice without unnecessary overhead.
Coursework: 24 Weeks
Practical Skills Tailored to WA Law
Our 24-week curriculum is tailored to the Legal Profession Uniform Law (WA). You won't just study theory; you will perform the tasks of a junior solicitor in a WA firm:
- Civil Litigation: Rules of the Supreme & District Courts of WA.
- Ethics & Trust Accounting: WA-specific professional standards.
- Property Law: WA land titles & PEXA settlement.
- Lawyer Skills: Advocacy, interviewing, negotiation.
Workplace Experience
20 Days of Real World Experience
Complete your 20-day workplace experience at a law firm, judge's office, or CLC. Learn more about eligibility and placement options at iolt.com.au/plt-detailed-information.
- Placement at Perth-based or regional WA firms.
- Supervisor must hold a current WA practicing certificate.
- Finish admission requirements faster.
Your Admission Pathway in Western Australia
1. The '2-Unit Rule' (Start Early)
If you have completed your Priestley 11 units and have only 2 electives left, you can start PLT early (with Board permission). We assist with this application.
2. Complete Coursework
Finish your 24-week practical legal training modules.
3. Complete 20-Day Placement
Work under a qualified WA practitioner.
4. Obtain Certificate of PLT
Upon successful completion, we issue your formal Certificate of Completion, confirming you have met the practical requirements.
5. Fit and Proper Person Assessment
Prepare your application for the LPBWA, including references and disclosures, to demonstrate you are a "fit and proper person" for the roll.
6. Admission Ceremony
Ready for the monthly admission ceremonies in Perth.
Frequently Asked Questions for WA Law Grads
National university-based providers often charge over $10,000. Our WA-focused program is fixed at $6,000, offering a local, cost-effective alternative for Perth law graduates.
Yes, in Western Australia you can start PLT early if you meet the Legal Practice Board criteria: 1) You have completed all Priestley 11 core subjects, 2) You have no more than two electives remaining in your degree, and 3) You have received formal permission from the Legal Practice Board.