How to become a solicitor
Advise private or corporate clients on legal matters in areas such as family, litigation, property or tax laws.
Pathways to this career
- Study an undergraduate law degree, or a double degree with law as one of your majors.
- If you have a degree in another field, complete a study a graduate entry Bachelor of Law, a Juris Doctor or Master of Law.
- Complete Practical Legal Training (PLT). This involves 18-24 months of supervised practice.
- After concluding your PLT, apply for admission and earn a practising certificate through your state's admission authorities.
What does a solicitor do?
Solicitors work to provide a range of legal documents. In addition, they provide legal advice and investigate on legal matters. Solicitors represent their clients in court and can prepare and review a wide range of legal documents. They provide their clients with legal advice based on the feedback and facts that they receive for particular situations.
Duties and tasks
- Act as legal representatives in court cases.
- Engage in interviews with clients to gather information.
- Prepare cases for court.
- Prepare legal documents such as wills, contracts of sales and other contracts.
- Review contracts.
- Work with clients to determine their legal needs.
Industry bodies
- Law Council of Australia
- The Law Society of NSW
- Law Institute of Victoria
- Queensland Law Society
- Law Society of South Australia
- Law Society of Western Australia
- Law Society Northern Territory
- Law Society of the ACT
- Solicitor labour market research reports
Related jobs
- Conveyancer
- Legal clerk
- Lawyer
- Court officer
- Judge
- Legal practitioner
- Parliamentarian
Discover online law courses
Undergraduate SCU-LAW-DEG
Postgraduate GRF-MIL-MAS
Undergraduate USQ-BAL-DEG
Discover online law subjects
Undergraduate UNE-LAW100
Undergraduate TAS-LAW191
Related degrees
Undergraduate UND-LAWS2510
Undergraduate TAS-LAW106
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