What an official register can—and cannot—tell you
An official search may help confirm a person’s name, practising-certificate status, practice or jurisdiction. The fields differ across Australia. Some sources also show practice areas, languages, accreditation or disciplinary information, while others separate those records.
A current record does not tell you whether the person has capacity, relevant experience or a suitable proposed scope for your matter. Ask who would do the work, check that person through the appropriate source and discuss experience without asking for a promised outcome.
Directory profile ≠ official verification
Lawyers by Suburb organises published provider information. It does not replace a regulator, law society or practising-certificate register.
Official lawyer-checking sources by jurisdiction
Australian Capital Territory
The Society explains that practice areas are selected by practitioners and are not accredited specialist labels.
Open official finder ↗New South Wales
Search current practising-certificate information and distinguish a solicitor record from a firm name or directory profile.
Open register ↗Northern Territory
The Society publishes current NT practising-certificate lists and explains that some interstate practitioners may also practise in the Territory.
Open register ↗Queensland
Search by practitioner, organisation, suburb or postcode and read any accreditation information in its official context.
Open register ↗South Australia
The Society states that its public register covers people holding a South Australian practising certificate and is updated daily.
Open register ↗Tasmania
The Board directs consumers to the Law Society register for current practising certificates and separately maintains disciplinary information.
Open register ↗Victoria
Search lawyers and law practices and review separately published practice-area, language and accredited-specialisation information.
Open register ↗Western Australia
The Board describes practising status, practising-certificate information and the practitioner’s primary law practice.
Open register ↗Sources checked 25 September 2026. Official interfaces and published fields can change; follow the current explanation on the destination website.
Common questions
Checking lawyer credentials: FAQs
Does appearing in this directory prove a person is currently entitled to practise?
No. A directory profile and an official practising-certificate record answer different questions. Use the relevant official source and confirm the individual who would handle your work.
Does a practice-area label prove specialist accreditation?
No. A service or practice-area label may be selected or published by the provider. Treat accredited specialisation as a separate claim and check it with the body named by the provider.
Should I search the Law Firm name or the individual adviser?
Check both where the official source allows it. The business you contact, the person providing advice and the practising certificate are related but distinct pieces of information.
What if I cannot find the person?
Check spelling, ask the office for the adviser’s full name and practising jurisdiction, and contact the relevant official body for guidance. Absence from one search does not establish why the record is missing.