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
Undergraduate CSU-LAW-DEG
Postgraduate GRF-MIL-MAS
Discover online law subjects
Undergraduate UNE-LAW100
Undergraduate TAS-LAW191
Related degrees
Undergraduate UND-LAWS2510
Undergraduate TAS-LAW106
Related degrees
Step up your career with these resources
10 fascinating uni subjects that are open to everyone in 2025
Want to understand the psychology behind Trumpism? Push for better climate action? Or improve your cultural sensitivity in healthcare? These online subjects—and more!—are now accepting 2025 enrolments.
5 small business courses for self-starters
Whether you’re a small business owner or plotting away at a side hustle, there are many online business courses to choose from to help you get in touch with your entrepreneurial side and launch your ideas off the ground.
Humans of Open Universities Australia: Meet our Content Lead, Cat
A ‘braided river’ career path, a crystal ball moment from Bill Gates, and a heartfelt letter with complete disregard for the third wall—here's Cat.
How to negotiate a higher salary
Not sure what to say when negotiating your salary? Follow these tips from career strategist Kelly Magowan next time you need to make your case with an employer.
We're here to guide you there
Our student advisors can assist you with enrolment, help you plan your studies, and answer questions about how studying through Open Universities Australia can get you from where you are today, to where you want to be tomorrow.