Application for an assessment of your foreign qualifications

As a foreign graduate or lawyer wishing to practise Australian Law, you must first apply to the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) for a skills assessment.  VLAB is empowered by Rule 11 of the Legal Profession Uniform Admission Rules 2015 (External link) ("the Rules") to assess the qualifications of foreign persons and determine the requirements for applicants to be eligible for admission to practise in Victoria. 

VLAB applies the Uniform Principles for Assessing Overseas Qualifications (“the Uniform Principles”) when assessing applications. Anyone seeking admission to the Legal Profession in Australia on the basis of qualifications obtained outside Australia, should study this document carefully.  

Schedule 2 sets out the additional academic studies which applicants from different countries will usually be required to complete before applying for admission. Schedule 4 gives similar information about practical legal training requirements.  

Once an assessment is made, you will receive an assessment letter outlining any additional academic and/or practical legal training that may be required to be undertaken prior to seeking admission in Victoria.  All applications for an assessment are made using the online portal.  Two categories of persons are eligible to apply to have their foreign qualifications assessed:

 

Foreign Graduates


Foreign Graduates who hold an academic qualification in law (LLB or equivalent) but have not been admitted to practise in a foreign jurisdiction may proceed to obtain a skills assessment from the Board.

See here to learn more about how to apply for a foreign graduate assessment.

Foreign Lawyers

If you are admitted and entitled to, or eligible to practise as a legal practitioner in a place outside Australia, you may apply to the Board for a direction under rule 11 of the Rules about the extent to which your existing qualifications are, or are not, sufficient for admission to the legal profession in Victoria.

See here to learn more about how to apply for a foreign lawyer assessment.

 

Fit and Proper Person

It is necessary for a person to satisfy the Board that they are of good fame and character and a fit and proper person.  

An applicant for admission must disclose details of any matters which might be relevant to the Board's consideration of whether or not he or she is a fit and proper person to be admitted to the Australian legal profession.

An applicant must also disclose any matters which a reasonable applicant would consider that the Board might regard as not being favourable to them when considering whether or not the applicant is a fit and proper person to be admitted to the Australian legal profession.

In determining what matter should be disclosed you must read the LACC Disclosure Guidelines for Applicants for Admission to the Legal Profession.

 

 Frequently Asked Questions

 

I have a foreign law degree and want to practice law in Victoria, what do I have to do?

You must apply for a skills assessment, this is done via the online application portal (External link).

 

How do I apply for a skills assessment?
 

You must first apply for a skills assessment, this is done via the online application portal (External link).  Dependent upon your academic and work history, the Board will seek additional academic study and practical legal training be undertaken as part of any assessment.

 

I am due to be admitted soon but require a letter for the purposes of immigration, can you provide me with a letter?

Yes, you are required to email us at overseas@justice.vic.gov.au (External link) and we can provide you with a letter for immigration.

 

I have some queries relating to my Australian visa or passport application, can you help me?

No, you are required to contact the Department of Home Affairs. You can find more information here (External link).

 

 

When should I commence an application for a compliance certificate?

It is recommended that you commence your application a minimum of 3 months prior to your intended admission date.

 

Who should I contact if I have questions?
 

For all enquiries relating to assessment of foreign degrees or foreign applications for admission: 

 Tel:         03 9604 2416
 Email:    overseas@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)