Becoming a Barrister
A barrister is the person who advocates for the client in court.
Barristers do not work in a law firm. Rather they are briefed by firms to represent the clients in court. They work independently within an association of other barristers.
The Victorian Bar website provides further information on the work of a barrister and on the relationship between the roles of barristers and solicitors
To qualify as a barrister in Victoria you must first become admitted to a Supreme Court of Australia. You then sit the Bar Readers Course. After completing the course you read with an experienced barrister for a nine month period. Once you have finished this period of mentorship you are eligible to practice as a barrister.
Most barristers work as a solicitor for a number of years before moving to the Bar. This is not mandatory however the networks that you develop as a solicitor can be very valuable when starting out as an independent barrister.
More information about the procedure to becoming a barrister is available at the Victorian Bar website.
The Melbourne Law School and Victorian Bar Research Assistants Scheme is a great way to do some work experience with a barrister and get to really experience what the the work entails.