For a Solicitor Emigrating to Australia
Welcome to our guide on the Australian skills assessment process for a Solicitor. Before we examine the skills required to be recognised as a Solicitor it may be helpful to explain that the skills assessment is the first step of the emigration process. The skills Assessment of a Solicitor determines their eligibility to emigrate and the visa options available. Ultimately, it will affect their employment opportunities once they are in Australia.
While we appreciate that each case is unique, we always strive to secure the best possible outcome from the Skills Assessing Authorities in Australia. Experience has proven that efforts and expertise in this area are often the keys to a successful case.
Ensuring Solicitors Are In High Demand
Every skilled migrant wants to know they will be able to secure a job quickly and easily when they are in Australia. The Australian emigration system ensures that they can.
Each year, State Governments and the two territorial Governments report to the federal government on their local demand for Solicitors and if they need to bring in Solicitors from overseas to fill any potential shortage skills gaps. This report states the number of overseas a Solicitors required in the coming year to fill the skills gap within each region.
The Skills in demand are then broken down into priority lists. These lists range from those skills in high demand across the country to those skills with only limited demand within rural areas.
Curently, Solicitors are on the MLTSSL list. Being on this list means a Solicitor may qualify for one of the following visa streams:
- 407, 491 (S/T), TSS (M)*, 494
To read more about the shortage skills list, you can visit the government website here: MLTSSL
Skills and Experience Required To Be a Solicitor
Before a person can be accepted in Australia as Solicitor, their qualification, skills and experience must be independently verified via a rigorous accreditation. The process ensures all skilled migrants can do their jobs to the required Australian standards.
1. Defining the job title a Solicitor:
The profession “a Solicitor” can mean something slightly different in Australia to what is referred to overseas. In “official emigration terms”, this profession is aligned within the occupation category “Solicitor” and is uniquely identified by the code 271311. This may seem weird to some people, but it is a registry system that has been in place since 2006.
2. Key Requirements for a Solicitor:
For a Solicitor to be deemed experienced down under, here are the essential skills, tasks, duties and responsibilities they must be familiar with:
General Duties:
Communication and collaboration
Records
documentation
reports and research
Security and emergency services
Core Specialist Responsibilities:
Prepare legal proceedings and represent clients
Prepare forms
legislation or proposals
Prepare and utilise legal documentation
Undertake dispute resolution
Communicate with colleagues
Specific Tasks Associated with the Role:
Research relevant legal materials to aid decision making
Prepare documentation of legal proceedings
Provide legal advice to clients
Meet with individuals involved in legal processes to provide information and clarify issues
Supervise activities of other legal staff
Arbitrate disputes between parties to resolve legal conflicts
Evaluate information related to legal matters in public or personal records
Identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal information
Interview claimants to gather information related to legal proceedings
Draft legislation or regulations
Represent the interests of clients in legal proceedings or court
Prepare legal documents
3. The Australian eligibility criteria for a Solicitor:
Currently Solicitor’s are listed on the . This reflects the demand for the profession within Australia.
4. Emigration options:
As the profession is currently listed on the , there are places available. However, demand is high, and Australia will stop inviting further applicants to emigrate once all the places are filled.
Navigating the Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services Skills Assessment Process
For Solicitors, the skills assessing body is “Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services” they are often referred to as the VETASSESS. To visit their site, follow the link: https://www.vetassess.com.au
It is important to note that the primary purpose of the Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services is to make a profit and protect their current members from migrants entering Australia, taking their members’ jobs, and driving down standards or wages.
Therefore, the VETASSESS will often look to delay, frustrate and reject cases preventing accreditations wherever possible with those aims in mind.
The result of a candidate’s skills assessment is often a key factor in their success. It is vital that we secure the highest possible skills accreditation.
Find out more
Emigration law is one of the most complex areas of legislation and is continuously being adapted. By definition, emigrating to Australia is a legal process where the individual must prove their case. It is not down to the government to assist in that process. In fact, in legal terms, it is the government against whom we must win our case.
To discover more, complete our online assessment form for your complimentary guide and to discuss your options with one of our friendly experts.
