How does the LLM allow you to qualify in AUS

Hi Stephen?

I have tried to help you out with your questions. My opinion is as follows:

1. I hope I can get a PR after I graduate. Do you think I should do the PLT or the Trainee program after I graduate? For PLT, which institutions do you recommend? (I can do it in other states too!)

Your choice in PLT or Trainee program would depend on your career goals. If your goal would be to become a corporate lawyer in a commercial law firm then you should strive to embark on a trainee program with a law firm. On the other hand, if your career interest is to be with the government - i.e. perhaps the ATO, then it would be good to complete the PLT and get on with your plan.

In essence, i think basically people embark on a traineeship to facilitate gaining employment with the firm they are at. With that said, most firms conducting traineeships are the mid/top tier firms which are extremely competitive. They usually take on people who have undertook a clerkship with them over the summer/winter vacations so you should have a look at applying for them.

Given the competitive nature of these traineeships, you might have to set a contingency plan to undertake a PLT if you don't get one. Personally, i think that completing a PLT program would preclude you from gaining employment in a mid/top tier firm which has their own traineeship program (for obvious reasons because they would hire their own trainees rather than take a PLT person they have had no experience with). Accordingly, you will have to stick in a small/mid tier law firm after your PLT and switch to a top-tier firm after you have 2-3 yrs of experience under your belt.

In brief, your choice between traineeship and PLT would depend on a combination of factors. They are mainly: your career objectives and your grades. However, be warned that firms rarely take in international students because there are an abundance of local law students out there. In addition, they are looking at long-term and are slightly cautious when recruiting people without PR because the likelihood that they will be staying for a few years is lower than that of a loca.

2. I am not sure about the PR application. Is it true that I can only apply the PR after completing the PLT course and be admitted as a solicitor or I can apply it as soon as I get my LLB? Do you have any tips about the PR application?

Yes, this is another difficulty for international law students. As far as I am aware (i might be wrong), you can only nominate the occupation of 'solicitor' after you have gained admission into a State. Therefore, without your PLT/traineeship, you would not be entitled to elect this qualification. My advice would be to apply for a 'graduate visa' (unsure of specific term) after you graduate with your LLB as it would give you work rights - it is a relatively new visa. This should help you secure a placement, a job or something that you cannot achieve with your student visa.

In terms of PLT, you will have to consider whether you would like to upgrade it to a masters subsequently. If you have intentions to do so, ANU, Monash and QUT would be the better ones to go for. If you are looking at cost savings, then College of Law would be the one to go for. Personally, I would recommend that you complete it with ANU as they permit you to complete it concurrently with your LLB. You will have to go on-campus for a 1week intensive and thereafter you can complete the remainder of your PLT in Queensland online. IF you are able to handle the workload, you might be able to graduate from both your LLB and PLT at the same time. However, the downside of this option would be that, unlike QUT, ANU is located in Canberra and cannot make arrangements on your behalf for a placement in Queensland (which could potentially lead to a full-time job).

Let me know if I can help you further!

Cheers
Greg

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