How to Apply for an Exemption
Academic Requirements
If your academic course included subjects substantially equivalent to one or more of the areas of knowledge set out in Schedule 1 of the Uniform Principles, you may be eligible for an exemption from studying that area again in Australia.
Schedule 2 of the Uniform Principles sets out the additional academic studies commonly required of applicants from different countries. If, after studying Schedule 2 and its Appendix, you believe the Council might exempt you from studying one or more area again in Australia, you will need to complete Form 4 – Application for Academic Exemption (pdf 39 KB) and enclose it with your application to the Council.
Practical Legal Training
As you have already been admitted to legal practice in your home jurisdiction, you might already have acquired and demonstrated an appropriate understanding and competence in some of the Competency Standards for Entry-Level Lawyers, either by undertaking a Practical Legal Training course or in the course of your work as a lawyer.
If so, you may be eligible to apply for an exemption from undertaking certain further Practical Legal Training in Australia. The situations in which this may apply are:
1. If you have been admitted to legal practice in your home jurisdiction for more than two years and you have been constantly in active practice since you were admitted
2. If you have been admitted to legal practice in your home jurisdiction for more than five years and:
- have been in active practice for some or all of the preceding two years
- have not been absent from active practice for more than five years in the 10 years before applying for admission in Australia.
No applicant is eligible to receive an exemption in relation to Trust and Office Accounting or Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
The principles upon which exemptions from PLT requirements are commonly granted are set out in Schedule 4 of the Uniform Principles. If, after reviewing Schedules 3 and 4, you believe that the Council might exempt you from studying one or more of the Competencies for Entry-level Lawyers again in Australia, you will need to complete Form 5 – Application for Practical Training Exemption (pdf 44 KB) and enclose it with your application to the Council.
You will be advised of the outcome of your application as soon as it is determined, usually within six to eight weeks of receipt of the application.
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