CPD is a statutory condition imposed on all Australian practising certificates under the Legal Profession Uniform Law, requiring every certificate holder to comply with their continuing professional development obligations each year.

All states and territories require lawyers to complete 10 CPD units per year, with mandatory subject areas including ethics, professional skills, practice management, and substantive law.

Reporting requirements are different in each state and territory.

The CPD year runs from 1 April to 31 March the following year in most states and territories but practitioners should check the requirements and rules relevant to their state or territory of practice.