IELTS for Lawyers

Taking IELTS if you are a lawyer? If you are a lawyer outside Australia and you want to migrate to Australia and practice law here, you must have your qualification assessed. Sometimes you need to take an IELTS test. Check the updated requirements for 2020 here.

English language requirements for lawyers

​If you want to apply for admission as a lawyer in Australia, you must have sufficient knowledge of written and spoken English. That’s important for work in legal practice. Also, it is probably a requirement for your visa. However, not everyone will need to do an IELTS test. If you are a lawyer and want to know more about work visas in Australia? Find it here.

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This guide is for you if you:

• studied law overseas and are now living in Australia.

• already practise as a lawyer overseas and want to qualify in Australia.

• are an international law graduate preparing for legal admission.

• are completing a postgraduate law qualification in Australia.

Whether you are already working in Australia, finishing your studies or planning your next step, this guide will help you understand the IELTS requirements that may apply to you.

To apply for legal admission in Australia, you'll usually need an overall IELTS Academic score of 7.5

You also need to achieve minimum scores in each of the four test sections.

If you qualified as a lawyer or completed your law degree outside Australia, you'll usually need to prove your English language proficiency before you can apply to practise law in Australia.

But you can also qualify for an exemption. That depends on factors such as where you studied, your educational background, and the requirements of the admitting authority where you plan to apply.

Your next steps may also look different depending on your situation.

Your pathway may look like this:

• Have your overseas qualifications assessed.

• Complete any additional study or practical legal training if required.

• Submit your legal admission application once you meet all the requirements.

• Meet the English requirement as part of your legal admission application.

• Apply for a practising certificate before you start practising law.

Do you need IELTS?

Yes. If your admitting authority requires proof of English language proficiency, you'll usually need to achieve the required IELTS Academic scores before you apply for legal admission.

Need help choosing the right law course?

IDP's education counsellors can help you compare universities, understand entry requirements, prepare your application and support you through every step of your study journey in Australia.  

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Your pathway may look like this:

• Complete your Australian law qualification.

• Complete any practical legal training or other admission requirements if required.

• Meet the English language requirement.

• Apply for legal admission.

Do you need IELTS to study law in Australia?

Usually, yes. If you're applying to study law in Australia, you may need IELTS Academic to meet your university's English entry requirements.

Later, when you're ready to apply for legal admission, you may also need to meet the English language requirements set by your admitting authority. These scores are often higher than the scores required for university entry.

If you're applying for legal admission in Australia, you'll need to take IELTS Academic.

IELTS Academic measures English skills needed for university study and professional registration. It’s the version accepted by law admission authorities across Australia.

Before you book your test, always check the requirements of your state or territory's admitting authority. They will confirm which IELTS test you need for your application.

Yes, you may be able to use IELTS One Skill Retake for both law course entry (study) and legal admission (work) in Australia.

100% of Australian universities accept IELTS One Skill Retake.

IELTS One Skill Retake gives you a unique opportunity to improve your score in one section of the test.

If you're applying for legal admission, check whether your state or territory's admitting authority accepts IELTS One Skill Retake. Acceptance varies between admitting authorities.

Always confirm the requirements before you book your test.

The overall process is similar across Australia, but each state and territory has its own admitting authority. This is the organisation that assesses your application and decides whether you meet the requirements for legal admission to become a lawyer in Australia.

Below is a quick guide to the admitting authority in each state and territory.

Good to know: While the overall process is similar across Australia, admission requirements and English language policies can vary. Always check the latest information with your admitting authority where you plan to practise.

If you want to study law in Australia, you'll first need to meet the entry requirements for your chosen university. These requirements can vary depending on the course and institution.

Your study pathway may look like this:

• Choose a law course that matches your qualifications and career goals.

• Meet the university's academic entry requirements.

• Meet the English language requirements, usually with IELTS Academic.

• Apply for your course.

• Accept your offer and apply for your student visa if required.

• Start your law studies in Australia.

Law study options in Australia

Plan your law studies with confidence

Whether you already have a law degree from overseas or you're starting your legal education in Australia, we'll help you book IELTS for study, choose a course that fits your qualifications, career goals and long-term plans.

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Yes, working as a lawyer may support a pathway to permanent residency in Australia.

However, being a lawyer does not automatically make you eligible for PR. Your options will depend on your occupation, age, qualifications, work experience, English level, and visa pathway.

Your pathway may include:

• having your skills assessed for your nominated legal occupation

• meeting the English requirement for your visa

• submitting an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect

• receiving an invitation or state nomination

• applying for an eligible skilled or employer-sponsored visa

Common skilled migration options may include:

Need help planning your pathway?

Whether you're still studying law, preparing for legal admission, or ready to explore your PR options, IDP’s migration experts can help you understand your next steps.

Book a migration consultation

IELTS may help you meet the English requirement for your visa.

Your score may also affect the number of points you can claim for skilled migration. A higher English score may give you more points for migration.

Remember that visa English requirements and legal admission requirements are separate. You may need a specific score for your visa, but a different score requirement before you can practice/work as a lawyer.

Whether you're applying to study law, preparing for legal admission or building your pathway to permanent residence, we're here to help you prepare with confidence.

Get started with our official IELTS preparation resources:

• Try the Full IELTS Mock Test to experience the test format and identify the skills you need to improve before test day.

• Access free IELTS preparation materials, including official practice tests, expert videos, study guides and tips for every test section.

• Download the IELTS by IDP app to study anytime with practice resources, videos and helpful tools all in one place.

No matter where you are in your journey, preparing with official IELTS resources can help you achieve the scores you need for university, legal admission and your future migration plans.

Is a 6.5 IELTS score good for Australia?

Yes. An IELTS score of 6.5 meets the English entry requirements for many Australian universities and visa pathways. However, if you want to become a lawyer in Australia, you'll usually need higher scores to meet the English requirements for legal admission.

How do you become a lawyer in Australia with a UK degree?

If you have a UK law degree, you'll usually need to apply to the admitting authority in the Australian state or territory where you want to practise. You may need to complete additional requirements and meet the English language requirement before applying for legal admission.

How do foreign lawyers practise law in Australia?

If you qualified as a lawyer outside Australia, you'll usually need to have your qualifications assessed, complete any additional requirements and apply for legal admission. You may also need to meet the required IELTS Academic scores unless you qualify for an exemption.

How can international students become lawyers in Australia?

International students usually need to complete an approved Australian law qualification, meet the English language requirements for legal admission and apply through the relevant admitting authority. If you plan to stay in Australia after graduation, you may also need to meet the English requirements for your visa.

Is there an Australian Bar Exam for foreign lawyers?

Australia does not have a single national bar exam. Instead, each state and territory has its own legal admission process, and you may need to complete additional study, practical legal training or other requirements before you can practise.

Which IELTS test do lawyers need in Australia?

If you're applying to study law or for legal admission, you'll usually need IELTS Academic. Always check the requirements of your university or admitting authority before booking your test.

What IELTS score do you need to become a lawyer in Australia?

The required scores depend on the admitting authority where you apply. Most authorities require high scores in all four IELTS Academic skills, so always check the latest requirements before booking your test.

Can I use IELTS One Skill Retake to become a lawyer in Australia?

Possibly. Some universities and admitting authorities accept IELTS One Skill Retake, while others do not. Always check their current requirements before booking your test.

Can I become a lawyer in Australia without IELTS?

Possibly. Some applicants qualify for an exemption based on their education or previous study in English. Whether you're exempt depends on the admitting authority and your individual circumstances.

Do I need IELTS for both university and legal admission?

Yes. You may need IELTS to meet your university's English entry requirements, and you may also need to meet separate English language requirements when you apply for legal admission. The scores required for legal admission are often higher than those needed for university entry.

Does IELTS help with permanent residence (PR) in Australia?

Yes. IELTS may help you meet the English requirement for your visa, and higher IELTS scores may also help you claim more points for skilled migration, depending on your visa pathway.