This policy outlines the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner’s (VLSB+C) approach to granting an Australian practising certificate that enables the holder to engage in legal practice as a principal of a law practice, with or without authorisation to receive trust money.  

This policy sets out how an applicant lawyer may demonstrate the necessary skills and expertise to guide the Victorian Legal Services Board’s (the Board) discretion to grant an Australian practising certificate authorising the applicant to engage in legal practice as a principal of a law practice. The policy applies to all applications for a principal practising certificate, where a grant of, or a variation to, a principal practising certificate is to commence in operation on or after 1 January 2019. The policy does not apply to the renewal of an existing principal practising certificate.