Questions about the course

You’ve already read a lot about Piddington PLT, but there are a few more questions you might want answered.

Got more questions? Check out our FAQ’s on placements and applications, or email us at plt@pidsoc.org.au.

What is involved in the Piddington PLT course?

Piddington PLT is a unique program designed for law graduates who wish to learn in a face-to-face environment and want to complete their practical legal training as part of a community of peers and mentors who are committed to ethics, professional responsibility, and collegiality.

Piddington PLT is a 9-month program running from mid-January to September, which involves:

  • 450 hours of programmed coursework including in-person workshops, seminars and tutorials; group-based practical activities where you practice developing skills necessary for advising clients; and structured reflective activities); and

  • 80 days of supervised work experience (PLT Work Experience Placement).

As part of the coursework component, our graduates also work on their own “Piddington Justice Project” over the year.

The coursework and supervised work experience requirements in our course have been approved by the Legal Practice Board of WA as meeting the requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in the Supreme Court of WA, including the Law Council of Australia’s Competency Standards for Entry Level Lawyers.

Why is Piddington PLT such a long course? Can I fast-track my coursework to apply for admission earlier?

Our course has been intentionally designed to be completed over a 9-month period. We believe legal skills take time to develop through ongoing practice with mentoring and coaching from senior practitioners.  It takes time to transition from being a law student to being a lawyer. 

In 12 months’ time, the difference between a June admission and a November admission will not mean much (and in a few years, it will become irrelevant).

Is there a mid-year in-take?

No - Piddington PLT only has one intake per year. The program runs from January to September, with admission proposed in November. It’s not possible to start the course in the middle of the year because our course is designed for graduates to develop their skills progressively over the year and build relationships with their cohort. We have an intensive in January that focuses on core skills graduates need to transition from law school to legal practice, and everything builds from there.

Can I start PLT in January if I haven’t completed my law degree, but will finish it during the year?

Possibly! You need to have completed your law degree before you can start PLT. However, there is an exception to start PLT early if you have completed your Priestly 11 and have only two electives to complete.

You will need to apply to the Legal Practice Board for approval to start PLT before completing your law degree if:

  • You have less than 2 elective units to finish your degree; 

  • Those units are elective units that are not part of the Academic Requirements for admission; and

  • You will be enrolled in those final units (and complete them) during the PLT year (you’ll need to have had your degree completed and conferred in order to be admitted). 

For more information about applying for approval for early commencement see the Legal Practice Board’s guidelines.

What are the key delivery dates for the 2026 course?

There are a total of 9 course delivery sessions made up of workshops and seminars over the year including two compulsory intensive weeks. You will need to arrange study leave from your organisation or PLT placement to attend.

Piddington PLT is delivered in two cohort streams, the Friday stream and the Evening stream made up of court and tribunal employees.

Both streams commence study with Piddington PLT through our January Intensive Program delivered over 5 weekdays for our Friday stream and two intensive weekend days for our Evening stream.

The seven other course delivery dates are scheduled for the following:

  • Friday stream: First Fridays of the month

  • Evening stream: Tuesday and Wednesday evening following the First Friday of the month.

The Criminal Intensive is scheduled in the first week of the Court recess in July and is compulsory in person attendance for both streams.

While subject to change, you might want to these key dates in your diary - we will confirm these dates when we’re finalising your enrolment in the course:

Friday Stream                                                                                                                                                                                           Evening Stream

January Intensive: Monday 19 to Friday 23 January 2026                              January Intensive: Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 January 2026

Friday 6 February 2026                                                                                                                Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 February 2026

Friday 6 March 2026                                                                                                                          Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 March 2026

Friday 10 April 2026                                                                                                                             Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 April 2026

Friday 1 May 2026                                                                                                                                    Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 May 2026

Thursday 4 June 2026 - Evening

Friday 5 June - half day if your employment will allow

July Intensive: Monday 6 July to Friday 10 July 2026

Friday 7 August 2026                                                                                                                       Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 August 2026

Friday 4 September 2026                                                                                                           Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 September 2026

Admission at the Supreme Court of WA: Friday 13 November 2026 (to be confirmed by the Supreme Court and Legal Practice Board of Western Australia)

Are the in-person seminar days and intensives compulsory?

YES! Our face-to-face workshops and seminars are compulsory and are a big part of the reason why Piddington PLT is different. The in-person PLT workshops and seminars provide our graduates with the opportunity to learn how to be a lawyer from amazing practitioners who are passionate about mentoring juniors. 

Most importantly, the way the course is designed around The Piddington Society’s core value of “collegiality” means these face-to-face days allows our graduates to spend time with each other. The PLT cohort will be a hugely important part of their support system over the year, and for the rest of their careers.

We understand that not everyone will be able to attend every session for various reasons, for example illness, so we provide some flexibility, but graduates are encouraged to arrange for leave from their PLT Work Experience Placement to attend. 

Joining the January intensive means you meet the rest of the cohort from day one. People who attend the first intensive generally get the most out of the program. There are some key activities (particularly during the July intensive) that have to be completed in person in order to complete all the requirements for course completion.

Graduates who are a part of our Evening stream will also be allocated some online sessions to complete as part of the January Intensive.

Can I do the course part-time or spread the coursework and work experience placement over a longer period?

Absolutely. We can’t shorten the 9-month timeframe but we can extend it, when it comes to how long it takes you to complete your placement days. If you’re not in a rush to get admitted in November and need more time to manage your placement we can make arrangements for you to complete your placement days at a pace that suits you.

How much does the course cost?

Piddington PLT is the most affordable PLT course in Australia. We will provide more detailed information about fees and scholarships as part of our application guide. In 2025 PLT cost $8,990.00 and we do not foresee a change in these fees for 2026.

Our program is approved by the Legal Practice Board of WA as meeting the requirements for admission in Western Australia, but our course is not eligible for Graduates wishing to apply for a FEE-HELP loan from the Commonwealth Government.

We understand the considerable challenges that come from volunteering in a CLC and paying course fees for your PLT, and are keen to ensure that no one misses out participating in our program for financial reasons. We offer a range of scholarships and fee payment plans which will be discussed once you commence PLT.

International Students and Lawyers

Piddington PLT is a unique training program for law graduates approved by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia satisfying the practical legal training requirements for direct admission to legal practice in Western Australia.

If you are seeking a student visa to complete PLT in Australia you are required to check your eligibility with the Department of Homes Affairs. The Department of Home Affairs can be accessed through this link.

Piddington PLT’s International Students and Lawyers Guidelines document provides further details about how Piddington PLT is set up for International Students and Lawyers.

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