American attorney wanting to practice in Australia...any advice?

Question

I am an American attorney (got my JD a year ago) and am currently clerking for a state judge. I am interested in moving to, and practicing in, Australia...preferably South Australia or Victoria.

There does not seem to be much information out there concerning job opportunities for American attorneys in Australia. I would appreciate any advice and/or direction that anyone can offer.

Answer 1

The information provided by the previous answerer is excellent and details all necessary requirements for admittance to the Australian profession once you have been granted a visa, but obtaining your visa is the first step.

Legal Practitioners, both Barrister and Solicitor are listed on the SOL (Skilled Occupation List) and are worth 60 points (the maximum). This is a strong indication that lawyers are in demand and in short supply in Australia. The only people who have any chance of being granted a visa to emigrate to Australia are those whose occupation is listed on the SOL so that's a good start.

Go to http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-s... take the points test to see if you qualify; and check out the Skill Matching Database to see if your occupation has any jobs listed.

Go to http://www.seek.com.au/ and  http://www.careerone.com.au and also register with http://www.mahlab.com.au/index.cfm?pageI... These sites will provide a great deal of information on job opportunities in the legal profession.

Answer 2

Practitioners admitted overseas and who seek admission in South Australia must apply to the Board of Examiners for accreditation of both their academic and practical qualifications. Application is by way of statutory declaration.

To obtain academic accreditation applicants must provide certified copies of degrees, diplomas or other qualifications obtained notorised by the awarding institution identifying the applicant by reference to the applicant's passport. Also a certified copy of the applicants academic record and course materials from the year in which the subject was completed for each law subject upon which the applicant relies in sufficient detail to enable the University to make a recommendation.

Similarly for any tertiary practical law qualifications completed either pre or post admission. A fee of A$110 or $220 (urgent) applies. Applicants may expect to have to complete some additional subjects at an Australian University in order to meet the academic requirements for admission.

For identification purposes we require a certified copy of the applicant's passport.

To obtain practical accreditation the applicant should detail all law related employment following admission. Testimonials from former employers corroborating the type of work undertaken should be annexed to your statutory declaration. In addition at least two statutory declarations from either legal practitioners admitted for five years who have known the applicant for two years, or persons of good repute who have known the applicant at least five years, attesting to the applicant's good character and fitness to be admitted. Applicants should be prepared to undertake a period of supervised employment, as a law clerk in South Australia, prior to their admission in this state.