Solicitors track CPD points by keeping a record of each completed activity, usually a certificate of attendance and logging it against their state or territory's required categories. Most Australian solicitors need 10 CPD points each CPD year, running 1 April to 31 March, with at least one point in categories such as ethics, practice management, professional skills and substantive law. Since CPD is largely self-reported, organised records are what make compliance easy to demonstrate if a law society ever asks for evidence.
Every CPD provider must issue a certificate of attendance after a seminar, webinar or recording is completed. Solicitors match each certificate to a category and point value based on their jurisdiction's rules. A live seminar or live online web seminar generally earns the same points as attending in person, while private study, such as watching a recording, is usually capped:
| State | Recorded/On-Demand CPD Cap (Solicitors) |
| ACT | Unlimited (1 unit per hour) |
| NSW | Max 5 units per CPD year |
| Queensland | Same as live attendance, no stated cap |
| South Australia | Max 5 units per CPD year |
| Victoria | Max 5 units per CPD year |
| Western Australia | Max 5 points per CPD year |
| Northern Territory | Max 5 points per CPD year |
| Tasmania | Max 5 units per CPD year |
Tracking which points come from recorded activity versus live attendance matters most in states with a cap, since anything claimed beyond it won't count towards the 10-point total.
Yes. Completing the activity is only half the requirement, records must also be retained, typically for at least three years, in case a law society requests evidence. Records should note the activity name, date, format and points claimed, alongside the certificate of attendance. Legalwise Seminars issues certificates within two business days of verified attendance, so there's no lag between finishing a session and having proof on file.
Falling short on CPD isn't just a paperwork problem. Consequences can include conditions on a practising certificate, financial penalties, disciplinary action and in serious cases, suspension of the right to practise. This is why solicitors are advised to spread activities across the year and log them as they go, rather than reconstructing records close to the 31 March deadline.
Rather than managing scattered spreadsheets and certificates across different providers, solicitors can use a dedicated tracker. The Legalwise Seminars CPD Tracker centralises records from multiple providers into one free account. It offers:
Access is available from any device, with no limit on how many CPD points or activities can be added.
A certificate of attendance from an accredited provider is the standard evidence. Before relying on any course towards the annual requirement, confirm the provider is accredited for CPD purposes in the relevant jurisdiction, since points from unaccredited courses generally can't be counted.
Tracking CPD points doesn't need to mean chasing certificates before 31 March. Keeping records as you go, matched to the right category and retained for a few years, turns CPD from a yearly stress point into a simple part of practice.
Ready to simplify your CPD tracking? Create a free Legalwise Seminars CPD Tracker account, or call 02 9387 8133 to find out more.
Most Australian solicitors need 10 CPD points per CPD year, running 1 April to 31 March, spread across their jurisdiction's core categories.
Typically at least three years, noting the activity name, date, format, points claimed and certificate of attendance, in case a law society requests evidence.
Yes. The Legalwise Seminars CPD Tracker consolidates records from multiple providers into a single dashboard, regardless of who ran the course.
No. Anyone can create a free account and use the CPD Tracker, whether or not they've completed a Legalwise Seminars course.