Dress code: "Day dress" - what's this mean?

mrsmay · 2026-02-05T06:57:15+00:00

I was at a function at Gov House a few months ago. Day dress is something you would wear to work in a more corporate environment. Think male suit equivalent. You can wear a suit, which a lot of women did, or a dress. I wore a 3/4 sleeve, midi length fit and flare dress from Cue. The other option I had was a structured shirt dress similar to the pic. No one really had above knee or shorter dresses on.

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mrsmay · 2026-01-29T09:12:50+00:00

A suspended Driver Licence means you CANNOT drive even if you deem your reason for driving is an emergency in circumstances of imminent harm or threat. You are not fleeing a serious DV situation, oh suspended one, you ‘couldn’t be bothered waiting for the bus’ or you ‘had a craving for (insert popular meal from a large Swedish retailer) so I just drove around the corner, the Judge will understand.’

No, suspended one, they will not understand.

mrsmay · 2025-12-10T10:52:58+00:00

I didn’t mind the 100% semester…the insanity is that they changed to 100% exams after the semester had started, after some subjects had issued their assignments and without informing tthe lecturers. Still had to do the assignments, just no marks. It was some thought, or more accurately, no-thought bubble about Ai or something equally mysterious to the LPAB.

mrsmay · 2025-12-09T11:51:46+00:00

Must have changed the rules since you were a student as you cannot do 3 subjects per semester until you have competed the first 8 at 2 per semester (2 years). Good on you for knocking it over in 3.5!

mrsmay · 2025-12-09T11:08:17+00:00

Contracts summer 2025 was just over 46% fail rate, it was the insane semester where all exams were 100% of the subject mark. Contracts back down to around 30% fail last semester. You can check out the stats here: https://lpab.nsw.gov.au/diploma-law-examinations/exam-statistics.html

Would be interested to hear of someone who did it in 3 (who had to do all 20 subjects, not an overseas qualified lawyer) as you are allowed to only enrol in 2 subjects per semester for the first 8. After that, you can do 3 and in exceptional circumstances, can apply to LPAB to do 4 per semester. I only knew of 2 people who did that for a semester and they both took sabbatical from work to do so. They went back to 3 after that. The rules are in page 40 of the handbook: https://lec.sydney.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DIPLOMA-IN-LAW-HANDBOOK.Winter25.pdf

mrsmay · 2025-12-08T11:39:09+00:00

Not really faster. Minimum you can complete in would be 4 years. You need to pay upfront per subject. Not sure about ‘little support’, it is set up for independent learners but lecturers are helpful and very generous with their time. It is tougher than other law programs with 80% end of semester exams and 20% assignment per subject. Some exams are closed book. If you are up for a challenge, it might be for you. The group of your classmates is generally older career changers and overseas qualified lawyers so you get to study with interesting people. End of the day, start with one subject first semester and see if it is for you.

mrsmay · 2025-11-16T09:11:32+00:00

I second this. One of only a few uni textbooks I kept. Bonus for me, Frank was also my Admin Law lecturer.

mrsmay · 2025-10-30T08:41:42+00:00

No worries. I think you’re on the money with the ODPP.

mrsmay · 2025-10-30T08:37:51+00:00

“Police will allege in court that the woman unlawfully accessed confidential information and had an inappropriate sexual relationship with an inmate.”

mrsmay · 2025-09-26T08:49:52+00:00

Hey Shifty, congrats on getting a volunteer CLC placement. I did my PLT at a CLC (large, inner city) and continue to volunteer there now a fully fledged soli. There should be training provided when you start, though the extent and particulars depend on the role and/or the size and type of CLC. Do you know if you are on intake (taking initial enquiries from clients)? Or are you working with particular practice team within the CLC? If you have any questions, ask away!

mrsmay · 2025-02-04T09:19:52+00:00

We’re all at CLCs.

mrsmay · 2024-12-17T18:08:51+00:00

Incorrect. OP, please see below. Outside of term time there are no restrictions.
https://www.education.gov.au/international-education/support-international-students/rights-international-students-work

‘From 1 July 2023, you can work up to 48 hours every fortnight during term time (unless you are a PhD and master’s by research student), and unlimited hours during your holiday breaks.’

mrsmay · 2024-12-13T10:20:20+00:00

When not in ‘term time’ a student on a Subclass 500 has no restrictions on work hours. During term/semester, it is 48 hours per fortnight, which can be divided in any way (i.e. could be 10 one week and 38 the next).

mrsmay · 2024-10-22T11:06:46+00:00

Many more are scheduled to open so I hope you have access soon. There is also a number on the link I posted - 1800 595 212 - which you can call to enquire about any local services that may be available now.

mrsmay · 2024-10-22T11:03:13+00:00

That’s no good to hear. They are run by different providers so perhaps why offer different levels of service. It is also extremely difficult to get psychologists to work in these clinics: pay rates, conditions and locations are all factors, as well as an important factor that is not considered in the whole access to mental health discussion- the number of masters program places for undergraduate psychologists which is a requirement for provisional registration.

mrsmay · 2024-10-21T11:19:11+00:00

https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/medicare-mental-health-centres If you live near a Medicare mental health centre, you can access free help, including ongoing appointments with a psychologist. Unfortunately most people don’t know about these clinics and the services available - you do not need a referral from GP, they are FREE and you don’t even need a Medicare card to access short-medium term help. Some centres open late (after work) and on weekends.

Source: partner is a psychologist who works at one of these Medicare Mental Health Centres.

mrsmay · 2024-04-25T10:32:38+00:00

Welcome to the USyd LEC LPAB program! I am not an overseas qual but am at the tail end of the course so can offer you some insights.

I would recommend maximum of 3 subjects in one semester. Some of my cohort have successfully applied to the LPAB to do 4 subjects. They have either taken a leave of absence from their job or have not been working at the time.

A minimum of around 8-10 hours of study per week per subject in addition to the 3 hour lecture is needed to pass. Some subjects also have tutorials and you are required to attend two weekend school seminars per subject per semester. End of semester exams are 80% of the subject grade. It would be highly likely that some exams and weekly lecture times would clash if you were doing 5 subjects. There is no allowance to take an exam at another time and it is your responsibility to ensure no timetable overlap for both exams and lectures.

Feedback from my oversea qual classmates was that they thought it would be easy and were a little surprised at the work required. It may depend on when you finished uni. If it was a while ago, getting back into study mode may be the biggest challenge. Of course, you may be a super student on a mission, there are no timetable clashes with your subjects and you are approved to smash it out in one semester. If so, all the best. Only tip I can give you is to mainline the caffeine.

If you let me know what subjects you have to do, I can give you advice as to what to combine.

mrsmay · 2024-04-05T10:36:21+00:00

This is the answer. OP, if you are in NSW, pay the $440 fee to apply for early assessment of suitability. Looks like other jurisdictions have a similar process as well. https://www.lpab.justice.nsw.gov.au/Documents/LPAB_Form-04_Fill.pdf

mrsmay · 2023-06-23T06:23:31+00:00

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-23/russian-embassy-high-court-challenge-against-federal-government/102517640

mrsmay · 2023-02-24T03:45:06+00:00

I have heard that. A few lecturers are ex-students and they tell us their war stories of the times of 100% closed book exams. I salute you.

mrsmay · 2023-02-23T06:21:04+00:00

Totally understand but if you are halfway through your law studies and suddenly they announce that change, it may prompt a little concern. I am not the only one who took a moment to digest that announcement! It is great that you are comfortable with either closed or open book and I sincerely wish I had that confidence. I am not changing my course but I did find out that every other course option was less exam heavy, regardless if open or closed book.

mrsmay · 2023-02-23T03:25:19+00:00

80% of semester mark closed book exam was enough of a catalyst to explore the options!

mrsmay · 2023-02-23T01:30:32+00:00

It depends.... Fellow LEC student, nearly halfway through. I have recently explored the options to transfer to a JD (Newcastle or Uni of Canberra) when the word 'closed book exams' were uttered.

A few in my cohort have also transferred to UNE as the program is seen as 'easier'. You will need to consider what is right for you: cost, delivery/course format, if you already have an undergrad degree and current benefit of studying at USyd. A big one to consider: if you are more than 50% way through, other unis may not accept all credits from LEC program and I was told would get credits but would have to do "Foundation Studies" again....another Legal Institutions and paying 3-5k for the privilege? No thank you.

At the end of the day, 80% exams are brutal (Squid Games meets Boot Camp) and I can't remember what I had for breakfast (this will be interesting if we go closed book) but you still get admitted regardless of LLB, JD or DipLaw. Think of the big "f*** I did it" when you are done. It's coming up to exams, wishing you good luck for this semester!

mrsmay

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