Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a commitment to ongoing, lifelong learning for legal professionals. Itโs mandated by The Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA) as a requirement for a practicing lawyer.
Required in most jurisdictions, CPD ensures that lawyers maintain and enhance their professional knowledge, skills, attitudes, and overall competence throughout their careers. By engaging in CPD, lawyers demonstrate their dedication to providing competent and ethical service to clients, the courts, and the community.
Why lawyers need CPD
CPD encompasses a variety of learning activities that lawyers undertake throughout their careers to enhance their knowledge, skills, and ethical awareness. It’s a mandatory requirement for maintaining practicing certificates and membership with various law societies and bar associations across Australia.
Engaging in CPD improves a lawyer’s ability to perform their duties effectively and enhances their employability in an increasingly competitive legal market. CPD ensures lawyers stay abreast of the latest legal developments, hone their skills, and maintain public trust in the profession.
CPD requirements for lawyers per state
CPD requirements in Australia vary depending on the jurisdiction in which a lawyer is admitted. Each state and territory’s law society or bar association sets its own rules and regulations.
However, the core principle remains consistent: lawyers must complete a minimum number of CPD hours annually to maintain their practicing certificates. Generally, this requirement falls around 10 CPD units per year.
Lawyers in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Total CPD points required: 10
Mandatory competency areas:
- Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- Practice Management and Business Skills
- Professional Skills
- Substantive Law and Procedural Law
Rules for recorded sessions and self-study: Unlimited hours can be earned from recorded materials.
Rules for carrying over CPD units: N/A
Lawyers in New South Wales (NSW)
In NSW, Law Society members can use the LawInform CPD Tracker.
Total CPD points required: 10
Mandatory competency areas:
- Ethics
- Practice Management
- Professional Skills
- Substantive Law
Rules for recorded sessions and self-study: A limit of 5 points in total that can be earned from self-study or the use of recorded materials.
Rules for carrying over CPD units: Up to 3 units can be carried over to the following CPD year if completed between January and March, but these units cannot be double-counted.
Lawyers in Queensland
Total CPD points required: 10
Mandatory competency areas:
- Legal ethics and professional responsibility
- Practice management and business skills
- Professional skills
Rules for recorded sessions and self-study: An unlimited number of hours can be spent earning CPD points from recorded materials.
Rules for carrying over CPD units: CPD units earned between 1 January and 31 March can be counted in either the current or following CPD year, but not both.
Lawyers in South Australia
Total CPD points required: 10
Mandatory competency areas:
- Practical Legal Ethics
- Practice Management and Business Skills
- Professional Skills
- Bullying, Discrimination and Harassment
Rules for recorded sessions and self-study: A limit of 5 points in total that can be earned from self-study or the use of recorded materials.
Rules for carrying over CPD units: CPD units earned in January, February, or March that exceed the annual requirement can be applied to the following CPD year.
Lawyers in Tasmania
Total CPD points required: 10
Mandatory competency areas:
- Legal ethics and professional responsibility
- Practice management and business skills
- Professional skills
- Substantive law
Rules for recorded sessions and self-study: A limit of 5 points in total that can be earned from self-study or the use of recorded materials.
Rules for carrying over CPD units: CPD units earned in February, March, or April can be allocated either to the current CPD year or the following one.
Lawyers in Victoria
Total CPD points required: 10
Mandatory competency areas:
- Ethics
- Practice Management
- Professional Skills
- Substantive Law
Rules for recorded sessions and self-study: Unlimited number of hours spent earning CPD points from recorded materials.
Rules for carrying over CPD units: A maximum of 3 CPD units accrued between 1 January and 31 March can be carried forward into the following CPD year but can only be counted in one year.
Lawyers in Western Australia
In Western Australia, lawyers must provide their Practitioner ID when registering with CPD providers.
Total CPD points required: 10
Mandatory competency areas:
- Ethics
- Practice management
- Professional skills
- Substantive law
Rules for recorded sessions and self-study: At least 6 hours of CPD activities must be interactive, limiting recording-based CPD points to a maximum of four per year.
Rules for carrying over CPD units: Up to 3 CPD units earned between 1 January and 31 March can be transferred to the next CPD year, but they cannot be counted in both.
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Ways to complete CPD for lawyers
Conferences and seminars
These remain a popular option for staying updated on legal trends, networking with colleagues, and hearing from expert speakers. Check your local law society’s website for endorsed or accredited conferences. Many jurisdictions offer CPD credit for attending approved conferences, seminars and workshops.
Online courses and webinars
Online platforms provide flexible learning options, with many accredited courses covering various legal topics. This is an increasingly popular method given its convenience. LawCPD is an excellent platform for online CPD with its personalised real-time tracking of learning.
Workshops and structured learning
These enhance specific skills like legal writing, advocacy, negotiation, or technology proficiency. Look for workshops run by experienced practitioners or specialist trainers.
Publications and presentations
Contributing to legal scholarship by writing articles for journals, presenting at conferences, or leading training sessions demonstrates expertise. Many jurisdictions offer generous CPD credit for these activities.
Mentorship opportunities
Participating in structured mentorship programs, whether as a mentor or mentee, can contribute to CPD hours, especially if the program has defined goals and outcomes. Some states recognise both formal and informal mentoring relationships.
Pro bono work and volunteering
Many jurisdictions recognise pro bono legal services as a valuable form of CPD. However, there may be limits on the number of CPD units that can be claimed. This provides an opportunity for lawyers to give back to the community while developing skills and fulfilling CPD requirements. Actively participating in legal committees, boards, or tribunals can also contribute to CPD hours in some jurisdictions.
Video-based learning (Western Australia)
In WA, video-based learning must include at least 6 hours of interactive activities. This often involves a live Q&A session.
Legal committee work (Queensland)
In Queensland, lawyers can participate in a legal committee, task force or practice section, earning 1 point per 2 hours of activity, up to 3 CPD points per year.
Tracking and submitting CPD activities
Tracking CPD activities is essential to demonstrate a lawyer’s commitment to ongoing professional development and to ensure they meet their regulatory requirements. A lawyerโs CPD records should include:
- The date of the activity
- The duration of the activity
- A brief overview of what was learned
- The type/category of activity
- Whether the activity is verifiable
- Supporting documentation (certificates, notes, etc.)
Generally, a lawyer doesn’t need to submit their records unless they are selected for an audit. In some jurisdictions, a lawyer may need to declare that they’ve met their CPD requirements during license renewal.
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