The legislative provisions relating to practising certificates are found in the Legal Profession Act 2004, the Legal Profession Regulation 2005 and the New South Wales Barristers' Rules.

The practising certificate year runs from 1 July to 30 June.

To practise as a barrister in New South Wales you must have a barrister's practising certificate issued by The New South Wales Bar Association or a practising certificate issued in another Austrlaian State or Territory that entitles you to practise as a barrister.  Eligibility to apply for a New South Wales practising certificate is determined largely by your principal place of practise (some exceptions apply).

Before you can apply for a New South Wales barrister's practising certificate you must be admitted by the Supreme Court of NSW as a lawyer or by a Supreme Court of another Australian state or territory under a corresponding law. For details on admission to the Supreme Court of NSW click here.

Post admission requirements - The Reading Programme

The Bar Association has post admission education requirements which must be undertaken in order to practise as a barrister. For detailed information about the Reading Programme and eligibility for exemption for all or part of the Reading Programme please click here.

Relevant legislation

New South Wales Barristers' Rules

Legal Profession Act 2004 (NSW)

Legal Profession Regulation 2005

Some practising certificates are issued with various conditions. For example, practising certificates with conditions regarding practise are issued to barristers participating in the Reading Programme for the duration of the reading period.

Compulsory professional indemnity insurance

Professional indemnity insurance (PII) is a statutory requirement for all barristers in New South Wales. The NSW Attorney-General approves the type of professional indemnity insurance policies, the level of insurance provided by the policies and the terms of the policies which can be offered to the NSW Bar.  A barrister cannot be issued with a practising certificate unless he or she holds the statutory compulsory PII and provide the Association with a certificate of currency in relation to the PII they hold.

Click here for details of approved PII policies.

Continuing professional development (CPD)

Application form

From 1 July 2001, in each practice year NSW barristers must accumulate 10 continuing professional development points before their practising certificate is due for renewal on 1 July each year. If a barrister has not accumulated the required number of points they cannot be issued with a practising certificate.

Practising certificate fees

Click here for full details about the requirements of CPD and the current programme.