What Counts as CPD for Lawyers in Australia?

Every practising lawyer in Australia must complete continuing professional development for lawyers in Australia each year but compliance is about more than clocking up 10 points. Regulators are specific about which categories, formats and activities actually qualify.

This guide from Legalwise Seminars breaks down exactly what counts, what doesn’t, and how to plan your CPD year with confidence.

Why Continuing Professional Development Matters for Australian Lawyers

CPD is a condition of holding a practising certificate in every Australian state and territory. As legislation, case law and regulatory obligations evolve, continuing professional development for lawyers in Australia ensures practitioners stay current well beyond the point of admission.

Most jurisdictions require 10 CPD points annually, running from 1 April to 31 March, with at least one point in each mandatory core category. Each year, more than 14,000 legal professionals complete their requirements through Legalwise Seminars’ flexible programmes.

The Four Core CPD Categories

Your 10 points typically must cover all four mandatory areas:

• Ethics and Professional Responsibility: conflicts of interest, professional conduct, trust accounting
• Practice Management and Business Skills: risk, finance, cybersecurity, client relationships
• Professional Skills, drafting: advocacy, negotiation, communication, wellbeing
• Substantive Law: legislative reform, case law, and developments across practice areas

SA and NT also require a point in Bullying, Discrimination and Harassment, while Tasmania requires Equality and Wellbeing.

What Activity Formats Count?

Australian law societies recognise far more than classroom attendance:

• Face-to-face seminars and conferences, 1 point per hour, no cap
• Live online seminars, treated the same as in-person attendance, no cap
• On-demand recordings, count towards CPD, but most states cap claimable points at 5 per year
• Interactive on-demand recordings, exempt from the cap in most jurisdictions, as they require active engagement
• Presenting or publishing and sharing your expertise also earns points

Legalwise Seminars offers all of these formats across 30+ practice areas, including a full library of interactive on-demand recordings. Browse the on-demand catalogue here.

What Doesn’t Count as CPD?

Not every professional activity qualifies. Activities generally excluded include:

• General reading of legal updates outside a structured program
• Internal firm briefings without formal CPD content
• Networking events with no educational component
• Activities unrelated to legal practice or professional development

Completing Your CPD Efficiently

Planning ahead makes compliance simple. The Legalwise Individual 10 CPD Point Package lets you mix face-to-face, live online and interactive on-demand programmes to reach your 10 points within 12 months, with a built-in tracker to monitor progress.

Firms managing multiple practitioners can also explore corporate CPD packages for cost-effective compliance at scale.

Record-Keeping Obligations

Completing your CPD is only half the requirement, you must also retain records, typically for at least three years. Keep details of the activity name, date, format, points claimed, and a certificate of attendance. Legalwise issues certificates within two business days of verified attendance.

Start Your CPD with Legalwise Seminars

Make every CPD point count. Whether you're planning your annual CPD activities or looking to complete points before the deadline, Legalwise Seminars offers flexible learning solutions to support your professional development. Contact us today to discover the right programme for your needs.

Browse upcoming CPD seminars | Explore on-demand recordings | View our 10 CPD Point Package

FAQs

How much continuing professional development do lawyers need each year in Australia?

Most states require 10 CPD points annually, covering at least four mandatory categories.

Do online CPD seminars count the same as in-person?

Yes. Live online seminars are treated the same as face-to-face attendance in every Australian jurisdiction.

Can I carry over unused CPD points?

Generally no, points expire at the end of the CPD year on 31 March, though SA allows limited carryover for points earned in the final quarter.

What happens if I don’t meet my CPD requirements?

Non-compliance can affect your practising certificate renewal and may result in catch-up requirements or, in serious cases, disciplinary action.