Solicitor vs Lawyer: What’s the Difference in Australia?

Solicitor vs Lawyer: What’s the Difference in Australia?

If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between a solicitor and a lawyer in Australia, the simplest answer is:

A solicitor is a lawyer, but “lawyer” is the broader term.

In Australia, a lawyer is generally someone who has been admitted to the Australian legal profession. A solicitor is a legal practitioner who practises as a solicitor under the appropriate practising arrangements. Barristers are lawyers too, but they practise differently from solicitors.

The terminology can seem confusing, particularly if you’re studying law or considering a legal career.

Here’s how it works.

What Is a Lawyer in Australia?

Lawyer is the broad term.

An Australian lawyer is someone who has been admitted to the Australian legal profession in an Australian jurisdiction. However, admission and the right to engage in legal practice are not necessarily the same thing. A person generally needs the appropriate current practising certificate before engaging in legal practice.

This is why terms such as law student, law graduate, lawyer, solicitor and barrister shouldn't simply be used interchangeably.

What Is a Solicitor?

A solicitor is a lawyer who practises as a solicitor.

Solicitors commonly work directly with individuals, businesses and organisations and may manage a client's legal matter from beginning to end.

Depending on their area of practice, a solicitor may:

• Give legal advice

• Draft contracts and agreements

• Negotiate disputes

• Conduct legal research

• Prepare court documents

• Manage transactions

• Correspond with other parties

• Represent clients

• Appear in courts and tribunals

• Brief barristers when specialist advocacy or advice is required

There isn't one type of solicitor.

Solicitors practise across almost every area of law.

Solicitor vs Lawyer: What Is the Difference?

The easiest way to understand the terminology is:

Term Meaning Lawyer Broad term for someone admitted to the Australian legal profession Solicitor A lawyer practising as a solicitor Barrister A lawyer practising at the Bar, generally specialising in advocacy and specialist legal advice

So when someone tells you they're a solicitor, they're also a lawyer.

But describing someone as a lawyer doesn't necessarily tell you whether they practise as a solicitor or barrister.

Is Every Solicitor a Lawyer?

Yes.

A solicitor is a type of lawyer.

But not every lawyer is necessarily practising as a solicitor.

For example, barristers are also lawyers.

A person may also have been admitted as a lawyer without currently practising as a solicitor.

That is why lawyer is the broader category.

What Does a Solicitor Actually Do?

There is no single answer because the work depends heavily on the solicitor's practice area.

A corporate lawyer might advise companies on acquisitions, investments and commercial transactions.

A commercial litigator may manage complex disputes and court proceedings.

A family lawyer might advise clients dealing with separation, parenting arrangements and financial settlements.

An employment lawyer may advise employers or employees on workplace disputes.

A personal injury lawyer may represent someone pursuing compensation following an injury.

A property lawyer may advise on property transactions, developments and leasing.

A banking and finance lawyer may advise lenders, borrowers and investors on major financing arrangements.

The legal profession contains dozens of different career paths.

That's why choosing your practice area can ultimately be as important as choosing law itself.

What Is the Difference Between a Solicitor and a Barrister?

This distinction is more significant.

Solicitors generally have ongoing responsibility for their client's legal matter.

They may advise the client, prepare documents, negotiate with other parties, manage correspondence, prepare evidence and coordinate the overall legal strategy.

Barristers generally specialise in advocacy and specialist legal advice.

They frequently appear in courts and tribunals and may be briefed by solicitors when specialist advocacy or advice is required.

A useful simplification is:

Solicitor → manages the client and matter

Barrister → specialises in advocacy and specialist advice

But even that isn't absolute.

The two branches of the profession regularly work together.

Can Solicitors Appear in Court?

Yes.

A common misconception is that only barristers can appear in court. Solicitors can and do appear in Australian courts and tribunals. How much court work a solicitor undertakes depends on their practice area, experience and the nature of the proceedings.

Barristers, however, specialise in advocacy and are frequently engaged for trials, appeals, complex hearings and matters requiring specialist counsel.

So the distinction isn't simply:

Solicitor = office

Barrister = courtroom

Legal practice is more nuanced than that.

Where Do Solicitors Work?

Solicitors aren't limited to traditional law firms.

They can work in:

• Global law firms

• National law firms

• Mid-tier firms

• Boutique practices

• Specialist firms

• Government

• Community legal organisations

• Corporations

• Banks

• Technology companies

• Professional services firms

• Not-for-profit organisations

Lawyers employed directly by businesses are commonly referred to as in-house lawyers or legal counsel.

More senior positions can include Senior Legal Counsel, Head of Legal, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer.

Does a Law Degree Make You a Lawyer?

No not by itself.

Completing an LLB or JD is an important step towards becoming a lawyer, but graduating from law school isn't the same as being admitted to the legal profession.

The precise pathway varies between Australian jurisdictions.

Broadly, aspiring lawyers generally need to complete the required academic legal qualifications, satisfy practical legal training requirements and meet the relevant admission requirements.

After admission, anyone wishing to engage in legal practice must also comply with the applicable practising requirements.

This distinction is particularly important for law students and graduates when describing themselves on LinkedIn or their CV.

How Do You Become a Solicitor in Australia?

The exact requirements vary between states and territories.

Broadly, the pathway usually involves:

1. Complete an approved law qualification

Typically an LLB or JD satisfying the required academic subjects.

2. Complete Practical Legal Training

Graduates generally need to satisfy the practical legal training requirements applying to admission.

3. Apply for admission

Applicants must satisfy the relevant admitting authority's requirements, including suitability requirements.

4. Obtain the appropriate practising certificate

Admission alone doesn't necessarily authorise someone to engage in legal practice.

Newly admitted solicitors may also be subject to supervised legal practice requirements.

Students should always check the requirements of the relevant admitting authority and professional body in their jurisdiction.

Is a Solicitor the Same as an Attorney?

Not usually in Australian terminology.

Lawyer and solicitor are much more commonly used in Australia.

"Attorney" is particularly associated with the United States, where lawyers are commonly called attorneys or attorneys-at-law.

Legal terminology differs substantially between jurisdictions.

That's why Australian law students researching careers online should make sure the information they're reading actually relates to the Australian legal profession.

Should You Become a Solicitor or a Barrister?

There isn't one better career. They involve different styles of legal practice.

Someone attracted to:

• Working closely with clients

• Managing legal matters

• Transactions

• Negotiation

• Working within a law firm

• Building long-term client relationships

may be attracted to practising as a solicitor.

Someone particularly interested in:

• Courtroom advocacy

• Oral argument

• Complex legal questions

• Specialist opinions

• Independent practice

may eventually consider becoming a barrister.

You also don't necessarily need to make that decision at university.

Many Australian barristers begin their careers practising as solicitors before moving to the Bar.

Do Solicitors and Barristers Work Together?

Yes frequently.

In litigation, a solicitor may manage the overall matter and determine that specialist counsel should be engaged. The solicitor may then brief a barrister.

The solicitor can remain closely involved with the client and the overall matter while working with the barrister on areas such as legal strategy, evidence, advice and advocacy.

Rather than thinking of solicitors and barristers as competing professions, it's often more accurate to think of them as different specialists within the same legal profession.

What Type of Lawyer Should You Become?

Understanding the difference between solicitor and barrister is only the beginning.

Lawyers can build careers in areas including:

• Corporate and M&A

• Banking and finance

• Commercial litigation

• Dispute resolution

• Employment

• Family law

• Criminal law

• Personal injury

• Insurance

• Construction

• Property

• Intellectual property

• Technology

• Competition

• Tax

• Insolvency

• Wills and estates

You don't need to know exactly which area you want to practise when you begin studying law.

Internships, clerkships, graduate roles, mentors and conversations with practising lawyers can help you discover which areas suit you. And that is one reason building a professional network early can be so valuable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a solicitor and a lawyer in Australia?

A lawyer is the broader term for someone admitted to the Australian legal profession. A solicitor is a lawyer who practises as a solicitor under the relevant practising arrangements.

Is a solicitor the same as a lawyer?

A solicitor is a type of lawyer. Barristers are also lawyers, so the terms aren't completely interchangeable.

Is every solicitor a lawyer?

Yes. A solicitor is a lawyer.

Is every lawyer a solicitor?

No. Barristers are lawyers too, and someone may be admitted as a lawyer without currently practising as a solicitor.

Can a solicitor represent you in court?

Yes. Australian solicitors can appear in courts and tribunals. Barristers specialise in advocacy and are commonly engaged for more complex hearings, trials and appeals.

What is the difference between a solicitor and a barrister?

Solicitors commonly manage client relationships and legal matters, while barristers generally specialise in advocacy and specialist legal advice.

Does completing a law degree make you a lawyer?

Not automatically. Completing a qualifying law degree is one stage of the pathway. Graduates must also satisfy the relevant practical legal training and admission requirements before becoming admitted lawyers.

How long does it take to become a solicitor in Australia?

The timeframe depends on the education pathway chosen. An undergraduate law degree commonly takes several years, while graduate-entry JD programs generally have a different duration. Practical legal training and admission requirements must then also be completed.

Do solicitors earn more than barristers?

There is no universal answer. Earnings vary significantly according to experience, practice area, employer, seniority, client base and, for barristers, the nature and volume of their independent practice.

Should I become a solicitor or barrister?

That depends on the career you want. Solicitor practice may appeal to people interested in ongoing client relationships and matter management, while the Bar may appeal particularly to lawyers interested in advocacy, specialist advice and independent practice.

LawUno Insight

The terminology can seem complicated when you're standing outside the profession.

Lawyer. Solicitor. Barrister. Counsel. Associate. Partner.

But you don't need to understand your entire legal career before you've started it. What matters is understanding the opportunities available.

Explore different practice areas.

Speak to solicitors.

Meet barristers.

Attend legal events.

Find mentors.

Ask questions.

Build relationships across the profession.

Because choosing a career in law isn't simply about deciding whether you want to become a lawyer.

It's about discovering what kind of lawyer you want to become.

About LawUno

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LawUno helps legal professionals build their networks, discover career opportunities, access legal insights, attend events and connect with people across different firms, practice areas and stages of their careers.

Whether you're studying law, beginning your first legal role or building towards the next stage of your career, LawUno is designed to make the profession more connected and accessible.

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