Practical Legal Training
in Australia
100% online, 24 weeks, $6,000 total. A matter-of-fact pathway from finishing your law degree to admission as an Australian lawyer.
PLT Course Information
Accredited ProviderA nationally recognised pathway from graduation to admission
Rolling intakes
No waiting for intake periods. You can commence the 24 week program the moment your enrolment is approved.
Most affordable accredited PLT
At $6,000, IOLT is the lowest cost accredited PLT provider in Australia. Flexible payment plans are available.
100% online
Keep your full-time role. Designed for graduates working while they qualify. Coursework is completed on your own schedule.
What is Practical Legal Training?
Practical Legal Training (PLT) is the structured vocational stage between finishing a law degree and being admitted as a lawyer in Australia. Every LLB or JD graduate must complete an accredited PLT course before they can apply for admission to the Supreme Court.
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.
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Nationally recognised Practical Legal Training
IOLT graduates can apply for a practising certificate in every state and territory. Our Practical Legal Training program is accredited under Australia's national admission framework, so the qualification is portable across the country.
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 right 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.
Program Overview and Entry
A streamlined 24 week Practical Legal Training program that integrates 100% online coursework with your workplace experience, so both can be completed concurrently within the same window.
Coursework
Structured online learning delivered through IOLT's Virtual Law Firm. Focus on the core competencies with flexible, skills-based modules.
View the IOLT PLT curriculum →Workplace Experience
20 days of supervised workplace experience in a law firm, in-house team, community legal centre, or barrister's chambers. Self-arranged or arranged by IOLT.
Read placement guidance →Eligibility: when can you start?
- Graduates: start immediately upon completing your LLB or JD.
- Current students: start now if you have two or fewer electives remaining (Early Start).
- 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
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?
Practical Legal Training in Australia typically costs between $6,000 and $14,000 across accredited providers. IOLT is the lowest cost accredited PLT provider in Australia at $6,000, with no separate admission, materials, or placement fees. Flexible payment plans are available so you can spread the cost across the duration of the course.
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 can often commence PLT with prior approval from the relevant admitting authority. Early commencement requires a formal application supported by a letter from your law school's Dean.
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.