not sure if anyone can help but ill give it a shot.

im Irish and i just finished my LLb undergrad in Dublin. i was seriously considering the international LLM in La Trobe with a view of possibly trying to practice in Aus afterward.. i've been trying to figure out what one needs to qualify as a Lawyer in Aus if you are an International student ??

I only seem to go around in circles as to what qualifications are needed...

do you have to be a qualified lawyer in your own country first or can you train in Aus ??? and How does one go about it??

Does it take long and are oversees LLB excepted by Victoria state ??

i would really, really love to know what i need and i would be greatful for and advice anyone might have???

Cheers,

I am kind of in the same boat I'm doing a graduate entry accelerated LLB in Scotland and looked into the possibility of Australia. As I understand it each state is slightly different but the general rule appears to be that you have completed all academic requirements that you would need in your own country (this includes the Diploma for Scottish students). You need to send your qualifications to be assessed and you will be informed about additional academic requirements. I think these classes must be done at an approved law school in whatever state you are applying to, I had a quick look and it would appear that these universities offer these classes individually so you could enrol in the ones that you need and no others. Upon completion of these classes you will be in the same boat as Australian graduates I think...

The problem I have is that if you have to wait until completing all your academic qualifications then you are kind of putting all your eggs in one basket. If circumstances change or dictate that you no longer wish to move then you've left it pretty late to apply for jobs in your home country...

Don't take any of this as gospel I've only had a quick look and it was sending me in circles too!

These recommendations apply to VIC only:

1. You need to graduate in your home jurisdiction (or, as the previous comment correctly stated, satisfy ALL academic requirements in your home jurisdiction)
2. Lodge an application to the Council of Legal Education (CoLE) under the relevant section of the Legal Practice (Admission) Rules 1999 (Vic). These rules list the required documents for the application.
3. The CoLE will probably require you to do further studies (e.g. Australian Constitutional Law, Property Law) before admission in Vic. It might be possible to accomodate all these studies in your LLM at La Trobe. Additionally, the CoLE will probably require you to do some sort of practical training.
4. If you are interested in admission in Australia, the La Trobe LLM is probably the best and quickest way to achieve this.
5. If you need further information contact Gordon Walker or Heather King, La Trobe (Gordon.Walker@latrobe.edu.au or heather.king@latrobe.edu.au). Both have substantial experience in this area. Alternatively, contact me under ghostbikersback@web.de.