CPD Rules
If you are a solicitor in New South Wales or Victoria, your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) obligations are prescribed under the Legal Profession Uniform Law 2015. This legislation outlines the CPD requirements, including the number of CPD units required each year.
Overview
We’ve provided a summary of the CPD requirements for Victoria and NSW below. However, Leo Cussen Centre for Law cannot advise on or assume responsibility for your individual CPD obligations. Please refer to the CPD Rules in full to determine the requirements that apply in your jurisdiction. For further guidance, contact the Victorian Legal Services Board.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements for solicitors in Victoria and New South Wales are prescribed under the Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Solicitors) Rules 2015. The information below summarises the key CPD Rules and should be read alongside the legislation.
Unless exempt, solicitors must complete at least 10 CPD units during each CPD year (1 April – 31 March) to maintain a practising certificate. Applicable CPD units are listed with each Leo Cussen program. The information below outlines the annual CPD requirements and mandatory competency areas.
In each CPD year, solicitors must also complete at least one (1) CPD law unit in the following four fields:
Our Practice Management and Professional Skills CPD courses are among our most popular programs, with Professional Skills CPD providing an effective way to build capability in key areas of legal practice.
For Leo Cussen programs and audio/visual material, one CPD unit typically equals one hour. To meet the annual CPD requirements in Victoria and New South Wales, solicitors will generally need to complete around 10 CPD hours. However, the information below is indicative only. Please refer to the CPD Rules for a complete explanation of CPD requirements and eligible CPD hours.
Earning CPD
The following activities may contribute towards your annual CPD requirements. Please refer to the CPD Rules to confirm eligibility and applicable CPD units.
1 CPD unit = 1 hour
Maximum units claimable within CPD year = 10 (but an additional 3 can be carried over into the next CPD year)
Private study in itself is not claimable.
1 CPD unit = 1 hour
Maximum units claimable within CPD year = 5 units only
1 CPD unit = 1 hour
Maximum units claimable within CPD year = 5 units only
1 CPD unit = 1000 words
Maximum units claimable within CPD year = 5 units only
1 CPD unit = 2 hours
Maximum units claimable within CPD year = 3 units only
Not applicable to pre-admission study such as Practical Legal Training or Supervised Legal Training.
1 CPD unit = 1 hour
Maximum units claimable within CPD year = 10
It is a requirement for a solicitor to maintain records and evidence of their own legal CPD courses and activities for three years. Verification of records and evidence is the responsibility of the solicitor. Refer to the CPD Rules for further explanation.
If you’d like to discuss your New South Wales or Victorian CPD requirements, or learn more about Leo Cussen’s CPD programs, please contact our Continuing Professional Development team by email at enquiries@leocussen.edu.au or phone (03) 9602 3111.