Policies
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment – Practical Legal Training (PLT) Course
These Terms and Conditions form a binding agreement between you (‘You/you/Your/your’) and the Institute of Legal Training (‘IOLT’, ‘We/Us/Our’) for enrolment in and participation in our PLT Course (‘Course’). By submitting an application, accepting an offer, or paying fees, you agree to these Terms. The information provided is general in nature only; conduct your own independent research for your specific circumstances.
1. Eligibility and Admission Requirements
1.1 Academic Qualification. You must have generally completed an accredited Australian LLB/JD (or equivalent) that satisfies the academic requirements for admission in an Australian jurisdiction.
1.2 Suitability/’Fit and Proper’. You are solely responsible for meeting character and suitability requirements set by the admitting authority in the jurisdiction where you intend to seek admission.
1.3 Standards Reference. The Course is designed with regard to the Practical Legal Training Competency Standards for Entry-Level Lawyers adopted by Australian admitting authorities, e.g. lpbwa.org.au.
1.4 IOLT is not an admitting authority. IOLT provides an educational course/qualification. Admission to the legal profession is determined by the relevant State/Territory authority and court.
1.5 Concurrent Study / Early Commencement (jurisdictional rules). If you seek to commence PLT before completing your academic qualification, you must obtain prior written approval from your admitting authority. Typical approval settings include no more than two non-Priestley-11 subjects outstanding from your law degree and concurrent enrolment in those subjects. For example:
Western Australia (LPBWA): Early start only with Board approval; You must have ≤2 subjects outstanding, neither a prescribed ‘Academic Requirement’, and be enrolled in them. Application by statutory declaration with transcript. lpbwa.org.au
New South Wales (LPAB): May start PLT early only if ≤2 subjects remain (none from Schedule 1 ‘Priestley 11’), you are enrolled in them, and you have prior permission of the Board.
Victoria (VLAB): Prior VLAB permission required; process via the online portal (concurrent-study application) and timeframes apply.
ACT: Early commencement is possible only in exceptional circumstances and requires LPAB approval; you must have completed core subjects, have ≤2 subjects left, and be enrolled in them.
South Australia: Students generally must complete academic requirements first; an early start requires an exemption from the Board of Examiners before enrolling in PLT.
Other jurisdictions (e.g., QLD, TAS, NT): Approval settings and processes vary; consult the admitting authority’s current rules and guidelines before you commence.
Important: If you have yet to complete your law degree, acceptance to the IOLT Practical Legal Training course does not constitute admitting-authority approval. If you rely on concurrent study, it is your responsibility to secure written approval before you start.
2. Enrolment and Commencement
2.1 Rolling applications. Applications are accepted year-round via IOLT’s online portal.
2.2 Supporting documents. Provide (as applicable) certified ID and academic transcript(s).
2.3 Offer & acceptance. Your place is secured when you (a) accept Our offer and (b) pay either the full tuition or the first instalment under an approved payment plan (see Clause 3.3).
3. Fees and Payments
3.1 Tuition Fees. IOLT advises Tuition Fee from time to time and can change (‘Tuition Fee’).
3.2 Payment methods. EFT and major credit/debit cards (card payments may attract pass-through processing surcharges).
3.3 Payment Plans. IOLT may provide an instalment plan for the payment of the Tuition Fee. Dishonours must be remedied within 7 days; reasonable admin costs may be charged; access may be suspended for arrears.
3.4 Conferral holds. No Certificate of Completion is provided until fees outstanding are paid. IOLT will not confer the award, nor issue any completion letter, certificate, transcript, or verification, until the Tuition Fee and all other amounts due have been paid in full.
3.5 Taxes & receipts. Fees are GST-inclusive unless stated otherwise; receipts are issued upon cleared funds.
4. Assessment and Completion
4.1 Competency-based assessment. You must demonstrate competency in all required areas to complete the Course.
4.2 Assessment rules.
a) Due dates: Assessments must be submitted as scheduled; late submissions require approved special consideration.
b) Resubmissions: If ‘Not Yet Competent,’ up to two resubmission opportunities may be offered (unless an assessment specifies otherwise).
c) Special consideration: Available where documented circumstances significantly affect performance.
4.3 Upon completion. On successful completion of all Course requirements and Workplace Experience requirements and clearance of all fees, IOLT will confer the certificate of completion of Practical Legal Training.
4.4 Admission application. After completing your PLT, you are responsible for your admission application with your chosen admitting authority.
5. Academic Integrity and Professional Conduct
5.1 Standards of Conduct. As a candidate for admission to the legal profession, you are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and professionalism. You must treat all staff, practitioners, and fellow students with the courtesy and respect required of a legal professional. 5.2 Academic Integrity. You must ensure all work submitted is your own and reflects your own original application of legal knowledge. Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:
Plagiarism: Presenting another person’s work, ideas, or legal drafting as your own without appropriate attribution.
Contract Cheating & Ghostwriting: Engaging, requesting, or paying a third party (whether a commercial service, a legal practitioner, or another student) to complete, draft, or revise any assessment or part of an assessment on your behalf.
Impersonation: Arranging for another person to represent you or participate in any Course activity, specifically including oral assessments or Practice Ready Reviews (PRRs).
Unauthorised Collaboration: Working with others on assessments designated as individual tasks or sharing specific drafting solutions with peers.
Artificial Intelligence: The unauthorised use of generative AI to generate, complete, or draft legal assessments.
5.3 Reporting to Admitting Authorities. You acknowledge that IOLT may be required to report findings of academic or professional misconduct to the relevant State/Territory admitting authority. Such findings can significantly impact the authority's assessment of whether you are a ‘fit and proper person’ for admission to the legal profession.
5.4 Professional Ethics. You must comply with the ethical standards and confidentiality requirements applicable to legal practice during both your coursework and your Workplace Experience (WE).
6. Withdrawals and Refunds
6.1 How to withdraw. Submit a written request to IOLT Student Administration.
6.2 Refunds. * a) ≥ 28 days before Commencement: Full refund of Tuition Fee paid.
b) < 28 days before Commencement: 50% refund.
c) On/after Commencement: No refund.
6.3 Payment plans. If you withdraw with an outstanding balance, unpaid instalments remain payable unless IOLT approves relief under Clause 6.4.
6.4 Exceptional circumstances. IOLT may consider out-of-policy refunds for severe hardship or compelling compassionate grounds (evidence required).
6.5 Australian Consumer Law. Nothing in this Clause limits your non-excludable rights under the ACL.
7. Suspension, Termination & Misconduct
7.1 Grounds. IOLT may suspend or terminate enrolment for: (a) non-payment; (b) serious or repeated misconduct; (c) academic integrity breaches as defined in Clause 5; (d) failure to meet participation/placement evidence obligations; or (e) material breach of these Terms.
7.2 Process. Except in urgent risk cases, IOLT will notify you, outline concerns, and allow a reasonable response period.
7.3 Consequences. Suspension/termination may restrict access to systems/assessments and may impact refunds (Clause 6).
8. Technology & Third-Party Services
8.1 Minimum requirements. You must have reliable broadband, a capable computer, and audio/video for online learning and assessments.
8.2 Platforms. IOLT may use third-party platforms (e.g., LMS). You agree to their user terms as a condition of access.
9. Privacy, Data & Communications
9.1 Privacy law. IOLT handles personal information under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and Australian Privacy Principles.
9.2 Collection & use. We collect information to deliver education, manage assessments, support student services, and meet regulatory/insurance obligations.
9.3 Disclosure. We may disclose information to service providers, insurers, hosts (where you authorise), regulators, or as required by law. Some storage/processing may occur offshore; appropriate safeguards apply.
9.4 Retention. Records are retained for periods required by law/standards.
9.5 Contact & marketing. You consent to electronic communications about the Course and related services. You may opt out of non-essential marketing at any time.
9.6 System Access. Access to the Learning Management System (LMS) will be revoked 48 hours after your Certificate of Completion is issued.
10. Liability & Warranties
10.1 No guarantee of admission/employment. IOLT does not guarantee admission, practising certificates, or employment outcomes.
10.2 Limitation. To the extent permitted by law, IOLT excludes liability for indirect or consequential loss. IOLT’s aggregate liability for claims arising out of the Course is capped at the Tuition Fee actually paid by you for the then-current enrolment, except for liability that cannot be excluded.
11. Declaration and Acceptance
I confirm that I have read, understood and agree to the Institute of Legal Training’s Terms and Conditions of Enrolment for the PLT Course.