What is Legal Services Admissions Board?
Legal Services Admissions Boards (or equivalent legal admissions bodies) operate in each Australian state and territory to regulate the admission of barristers and solicitors. These boards report to the respective state or territory Supreme Court and are responsible for assessing legal qualifications and professional conduct before admission to practise.
For skilled migration purposes, barristers and solicitors seeking to migrate to Australia must demonstrate they meet both the legal admissions standards of their intended state or territory and the English language and skills assessment requirements under the skilled migration program. Each jurisdiction sets its own standards for assessing foreign qualifications and experience.
The two primary legal occupations assessed are Barristers (ANZSCO 271111) and Solicitors (ANZSCO 271112). These professions appear on various skilled occupation lists and are in demand across Australia, particularly in metropolitan centres.
Which visas require a LSAB skills assessment?
Legal professionals can pursue Australian skilled migration through several visa subclasses, all of which require a formal skills assessment before application.
The legal skills assessment confirms your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards, which is a mandatory requirement for all skilled visa pathways. This assessment demonstrates professional equivalence and supports your visa application across both temporary and permanent migration programs.
How LSAB assessment works
Each state and territory legal admissions board operates independently with its own assessment process. Generally, the assessment involves reviewing your qualifications, professional experience, and admission credentials to ensure they meet that jurisdiction's legal standards.
- Submit an assessment application to the legal admissions board in your intended state or territory of practice
- Provide certified copies of your law degree or equivalent legal qualifications from your home country
- Provide official transcripts from all universities where you studied law or legal subjects
- Provide employment contracts and professional reference letters confirming your legal practice experience
- Undergo an assessment interview with the board to discuss your qualifications, experience, and professional conduct
- Comply with any additional requirements such as passing supplementary examinations or bridging courses in Australian law
- Receive your official skills assessment certificate, valid for three years, to support your skilled visa application
Assessment pathways
Legal professionals may pursue assessment as a Solicitor, Barrister, or in some cases both. The pathway depends on your home country qualifications and the jurisdiction where you intend to practise.
Assessment for those qualified and experienced as a solicitor in their home jurisdiction. Requires a law degree, legal practice qualifications, and evidence of professional experience in legal practice. This is the most common pathway for skilled migration to Australia.
Assessment for those qualified as a barrister in their home jurisdiction. Requires a law degree, barrister-specific qualifications (such as a Bar Practice Course equivalent), and evidence of independent practice experience. Less common in skilled migration programs.
Some jurisdictions assess applicants with mixed solicitor and barrister experience, allowing practice across both fields. Requirements depend on your home country's legal structure and your specific professional background and qualifications.
Documents required
Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:
- Original or certified copy of your Bachelor of Laws degree or equivalent law qualification
- Official transcripts from all universities where you studied law
- Certificate of admission to practise as a lawyer in your home jurisdiction
- Employment contracts or letters from law firms confirming your role as a solicitor or barrister
- Professional reference letters from supervising lawyers or senior practitioners in your home country
- Statutory declarations confirming your length and nature of legal practice experience
- Evidence of legal professional indemnity insurance held in your home jurisdiction
- Documentation of continuing professional development or legal education undertaken in recent years
- Police clearance certificate from your home country
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, or PTE Academic)
- Curriculum vitae detailing your legal education and professional experience
- Copy of your current professional registration or licence to practise law
All documents obtained overseas must be officially certified as true copies of the originals. Documents not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations prepared by a qualified translator. Certification may be done by a notary public, court official, or the official issuing authority.
LSAB assessment fees
| Application type | Fee (AUD, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Initial Assessment Application | AUD 800–2,500 |
| Solicitor Admission Assessment | AUD 1,200–3,000 |
| Barrister Admission Assessment | AUD 1,500–3,500 |
| Assessment Interview or Hearing | AUD 500–1,500 |
| Skills Assessment Certificate (issuance or replacement) | AUD 200–500 |
| Review or Reassessment Application | AUD 500–2,000 |
Assessment outcomes
LSAB issues one of three outcomes:
A positive assessment means the board recognises your qualifications and experience as meeting Australian legal standards for your intended jurisdiction. You will receive an official skills assessment certificate valid for three years, which is a key supporting document for skilled migration visa applications across all subclasses.
A negative assessment means the board determined your qualifications or experience do not currently meet Australian legal standards. You may have the right to request a formal review or reassessment, particularly if you can provide additional evidence or further qualifications. Contact your state board for specific appeal procedures and options.
Most legal admissions boards allow a review of their assessment decision if you provide additional evidence, further qualifications, or can demonstrate that the board misunderstood your application. Procedures and grounds for review vary by jurisdiction—contact your target state board directly.
Occupations assessed by LSAB
LSAB is the nominated assessing authority for the following ANZSCO occupations. Click any occupation to see full visa pathway details.
| ANZSCO | Occupation | List |
|---|---|---|
| 271111 | Barrister | MLTSSL |
| 271112 | Solicitor | MLTSSL |