Admission to Practice

Board of Examiners application cut off dates

The local admission hearings are only applicable to those applying for first admission in South Australia.

The Admission Ceremony generally takes place in the week of the nominated hearing date. The Supreme Court will be in contact within 2 weeks after the meeting of the Board of Examiners to advise of the relevant date and time, if you are granted a favourable report by the Board.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications in advance of the cut-off date to ensure that any issues can be addressed prior to the deadline.

If you would like your admission paperwork assessed for compliance by the Law Society before having your documents finalised, please ensure your pre-assessment application is submitted by 5:00pm on Wednesday, 10 June.

Applications for a pre-assessment received after this deadline are not guaranteed to be processed before the application cut-off on Monday, 15 June.

Applicable Legislation

Prior to making an application for admission, please ensure that you have read and understood the applicable legislation:

• LPEAC Rules 2018 r4, Part 2 Division 1 r6, r7, r8, r9, Part 5, Part 6 & the LACC Disclosure Guidelines contained within Appendix D
• The Legal Practitioners Act 1981, Part 3 Division 1
• Uniform Civil Rules 2020 Chapter 20 Part 7 & Chapter 4, Part 1, Division 2
• Oaths Act 1936 s33 &s27(A)(3)
• Evidence Act 1929 s6

Forms - Uniform Civil Rules 2020

• Uniform Civil Rules 2020 - CAA

Important Information

1. All applicants who apply for admission (including the pre-assessment) from 1 February 2025 must include a National Police Check. The check must be no more than 90 days old as at the date the application for admission is filed with the Court or it will not be accepted. National Police Checks must be done only through the South Australian Police (SAPOL) or via an Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) accredited body. The purpose of your check must be listed as Legal Admission.

2. If you have completed both your Law Degree and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP)/Practical Legal Training (PLT) interstate, you are not eligible for first admission in South Australia. You will need to be admitted interstate and then apply via Mutual Recognition to be registered to practice in South Australia.

3. If you have completed your Law Degree interstate, and your GDLP/PLT in South Australia then you need to first apply to the Board of Examiners for a determination as to whether your law degree satisfies the academic requirements for admission in South Australia.

4. If you have overseas qualifications and have not been admitted anywhere in Australia, then you will need to obtain a skills assessment and make an application to the Board of Examiners for direction as to what additional (if any) academic and/or practical and/or English Language requirements must be complied with in order to satisfy the requirements for admission in South Australia. Please see Overseas Applicants for the process.

5. If you have completed an integrated degree with Flinders University, you can exhibit your Official Academic Transcript for both the academic and practical requirements. If you have completed a non-integrated degree with Flinders University, then you will need to exhibit your Official Academic Transcript for the academic requirements and the Certificate of Completion from your GDLP/PLT provider for the practical requirements.

6. You cannot apply for admission without your GDLP or PLT Completion letter.

7. As part of your affidavit, you need to disclose matters that are relevant to your fitness to practice. For information about what you need to address here, refer to the LACC Disclosure Guidelines for Applicants for Admission to the Legal Profession. The Law Society cannot provide advice on disclosures. If you are concerned about any disclosures or require guidance and assistance with documents and/or content, then we would suggest that you contact the Professional Advice Service. Any disclosures made will be kept confidential and seen only by the Board of Examiners and essential Law Society personnel.

Process

Pursuant to the Uniform Civil Rules 2020 r257.2, an application by a person not previously admitted as a lawyer in Australia or New Zealand for admission must be instituted by filing an Originating Application (Form 7A) in accordance with Rule 82.1 in the prescribed form supported by an affidavit (Form 12A) in accordance with rule 82.1(2) in the prescribed form. A single Form 14 Exhibit front sheet must also be used.

Prior to filing the requisite documents, it is recommended that you submit your application for pre-assessment, unwitnessed through the Admissions Pre-Assessment Portal. We can then work with you to ensure compliance. It is important to note that incorrect documents will not be put before the Board of Examiners.

Once your application is correct, the Society will direct you to file it with Court SA, where you will pay your admission fee. Upon which a copy will be provided to the Society for referral to the Board of Examiners. At this point you will also be required to pay a fee of $27.50 to the Society for public notification of your application for admission, which is advertised on our website.

Where the Board has provided a favourable report, your name will be displayed on our website and the Supreme Court will contact you to confirm the date and time of your admission ceremony. Where you did not receive a favourable report, the Society will contact you within 5 business days after the meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I file my application with Court SA?

To file your admission application with Court SA you need to lodge it through the portal. If you have not previously created a personal account, then you must first register.

Your application will need to be lodged as an application for admission. If you are unsure how to do this or are having issues with the portal, then please visit the CourtSA Help Centre - CAA.

Robe and Wig Hire

The Society is able to offer limited robe hire for the person moving your admission.

Robe and Wig Hire is available for 3-day hire from the Law Society office at L10, 178 North Terrace, Adelaide.

• Robe - $30.00 for Members, $40.00 for Non-Members
• Wig - $20.00 for Members, $30.00 for Non-Members

If you would like to make a request, please email [email protected].

If there are none available, you can contact the SA Bar Association.

Who can move my admission?

A practitioner admitted anywhere in Australia can move your admission, they do not need to hold a current practising certificate to do so.

I don’t have anyone to move my admission, what do I do?

For assistance when accessing counsel to move your admission you may like to contact a member of the Society's Young Lawyers' Support Group or do a barrister search of the SA Bar Association website.

Who is an authorised witness?

A list of authorised witnessed can be located on the Attorney-General's website.

Can I have my admission documents sworn or affirmed overseas or interstate?

If you are having your admission application sworn or affirmed outside of South Australia, then you must do so in accordance with the laws for the taking of oaths or the making of affirmations in that place.

I need my Certificate of Admission

If you were first admitted in South Australia, then you can contact the Supreme Court Civil Registry on (08) 8204 0289 to obtain a copy.

How do I apply for a practising certificate?

Please see our Practising Certificates page for further information.

How does supervised practice work?

Please see our Practising Certificates page for further information.

I can’t attend my Admission Ceremony in person

If you are unable to attend your admission ceremony in person, then you will need to contact the Supreme Court registry to organise to sign the roll in absentia.

My qualifications are more than 5 years old; will that effect my ability to apply for admission?

If your law degree and/or your GDLP were completed more than 5 years ago then pursuant to the LPEAC Rules 2018 r7(4) & r9(3), the qualification/s will be regarded as stale.

The Board will consider the stale qualification when assessing your application for admission and at such time, will determine whether the age of the qualification/s disentitles you from being admitted. The Board may require you to undertake further academic and/or practical studies prior to being eligible for admission.

Further enquiries

Contact Ethics and Practice via email [email protected]