How many CPD points do I need?
Today, we’re going to talk about something important for all of you who are working in the legal field – CPD points. CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development and it’s the process of keeping up with the latest developments and best practices in your field. And, if you’re practicing law in Australia, you need to accumulate a certain number of CPD points every year.
So, the question on everyone’s mind is – how many CPD points do I need? Well, it depends on where you’re based in Australia. NSW, Victoria and Western Australia are covered by the Uniform Law and thus are required to complete ten (10) CPD units each year. Within those ten (10) units Australian lawyers must include at least one (1) CPD unit every CLE year in each of the following compulsory fields:
- Ethics and professional responsibility
- Practice management and business skills
- Professional skills
- Substantive law
Requirements are slightly different in non-Uniform Law states and it’s best to check with the Law Society of your jurisdiction of practice. As a guide, Queensland lawyers require one mandatory unit in each of ethics, practice management and business skills, and professional skills. South Australian lawyers are required to complete one mandatory unit in each of ethics, practice management and business skills, and professional skills with the addition of a mandatory unit on bullying, discrimination and harassment.
Now, let’s talk about how you can actually accumulate these CPD points. There are plenty of ways to do it! For example, you can attend legal conferences, participate in online courses or webinars, or even write articles for legal journals. The options are almost endless!
But, here’s the best part – you can also have some fun while you’re accumulating your CPD points. For example, did you know that you can listen to a podcast and get points for it? That’s right – if it has a legal aspect to it (for example, if it covers triaging risk in the new FCFCOA), you can count it towards your CPD requirements.
So, don’t be afraid to get creative and have some fun while you’re earning your points. And, remember, it’s all about staying up-to-date and knowledgeable in your field.
Now, let’s talk about a few common misconceptions about CPD points. Firstly, some people think that CPD points are just a waste of time and money. But, the truth is that CPD points are actually a valuable investment in your career. By staying informed about the latest developments and best practices in your field, you’ll be better equipped to serve your clients and advance in your career.
Another common misconception is that you need to spend a lot of money to accumulate CPD points. But, this isn’t true either. There are plenty of free or low-cost options available, such as Hearsay the Legal Podcast, which allows you to fulfil all of your CPD requirements for just $199 a year.
So, there you have it – the complete guide to CPD points in Australia. To sum it up, you need to accumulate a certain number of points every year, depending on where you’re based and your specific area of practice. You can accumulate these points by attending events, participating in courses, or even having some fun. And, remember, CPD points are a valuable investment in your career.
Thanks for reading and happy CPD point accumulating!