Requalifying, rebuilding, and reframing: An overseas lawyer’s journey into the Australian tax market

As a lawyer originally qualified in India, my transition into the Australian legal market involved far more than meeting regulatory requirements. It required professional, cultural, and personal recalibration.

From a litigation-heavy tax practice to a new system

Before moving to Australia, I practised tax law in India for over four years. I began my career with Deloitte and later worked at Lakshmikumaran and Sridharan, a specialist tax law firm, where I advised on complex tax matters and regularly appeared before Commissioner of appeals, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, and the High Court of Judicature at Madras. I also hold a master’s degree in international taxation from King’s College London.

Given that India and Australia are both common law jurisdictions, I expected the transition to feel familiar. Conceptually, it did. In practice, it was markedly different.

One significant difference was the division between solicitors and barristers. In India, lawyers typically manage matters end to end, including client conferences, drafting, and courtroom advocacy. Adjusting to a framework where advocacy is commonly briefed to counsel required a shift in how I thought about case preparation, responsibility, and collaboration.

Another major difference was the dispute resolution culture. In India, tax disputes almost invariably progress to litigation. In Australia, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) demonstrates a greater willingness to engage early, mediate, and resolve matters without court proceedings. While this pragmatic approach reduces court congestion, it also produces fewer judicial precedents, particularly at appellate levels. Understanding this dynamic was essential in adapting how I approached tax advisory work.

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Requalification and the less visible barriers

I requalified through the Legal Profession Admission Board route and completed practical legal training. The process itself was largely straightforward. I received exemptions for 16 subjects and completed four core subjects, including legal ethics and constitutional law.

However, requalification is only one part of the journey. Like many internationally trained lawyers, I encountered challenges that were less formal but deeply consequential. Although English is not my first language, I studied and practised law entirely in English and still encountered subtle assumptions about language proficiency. More significantly, I lacked an established professional network.

Rebuilding rapport and credibility in a new jurisdiction can feel like starting from zero. There were moments when approaching people felt daunting, and when convincing prospective employers that I was a serious candidate, despite strong international experience, required persistence and patience. These barriers are rarely explicit, but they shape the early experiences of many overseas qualified lawyers.

Skills that travel across borders

One encouraging realisation during this transition was how transferable certain skills truly are. Coming from a litigation-heavy tax practice, I brought strong technical grounding paired with a litigation mindset. In India, tax lawyers are trained to think several steps ahead, anticipating how positions will withstand scrutiny across multiple appellate stages.

That approach has translated well into Australian tax advisory practice, particularly in higher-risk matters. Anticipating ATO positions, structuring advice defensibly, and producing clear written submissions are skills that transcend jurisdictional boundaries.

At the same time, I had to unlearn certain habits. Australian practice places particular emphasis on clarity, conciseness, and plain-English communication. I also had to adapt to a more collaborative and less hierarchical workplace culture, where open discussion and early questions are encouraged rather than discouraged.

The importance of sponsorship in career progression

One factor that proved critical to my progression was professional sponsorship, having someone willing to advocate for me behind closed doors.

For overseas qualified lawyers without established networks, sponsorship can be the difference between being capable and being trusted and put forward for opportunities. While mentors provide guidance and advice, sponsors actively endorse readiness, vouch for capability, and create access to work and conversations that are not always visible.

In my experience, sponsorship provided a level of professional assurance that qualifications and hard work alone cannot.

A perspective shift

A defining realisation during my transition came from recognising how central early engagement and risk management are to Australian tax practice. Professional success as a solicitor here is not measured by litigation outcomes, but by effective risk management and early dispute resolution.

This insight reshaped how I viewed value creation for clients and professional growth within the Australian legal system.

Rebuilding professional identity

I currently work as an associate in Australia. While the title represents a step back from my position as a senior associate in India, the learning curve has been substantial and worthwhile. The Australian approach places emphasis on structure, consistency, and precision, and over time, I have integrated my prior experience meaningfully within this framework.

Importantly, I have learned to position my overseas qualification as an asset rather than a limitation. A cross-jurisdictional background brings comparative insight, strategic depth and resilience, qualities that are increasingly valuable in an interconnected legal profession.

Advice for overseas qualified lawyers

For overseas qualified lawyers seeking to enter the Australian market, my advice is to approach the journey with patience and realism. Rebuilding a career takes time. Starting at a different level is not a reflection of capability, but often a necessary investment.

Do not undervalue international experience. It may require translation into the Australian context, but it is far from irrelevant.

If I could offer my earlier self one piece of advice, it would be this: be kinder to yourself. Moving countries and requalifying involve identity shifts that are not always visible to others. Progress may not be linear, but each step contributes to long-term growth.

As the Australian legal profession continues to evolve, making space for the voices and experiences of overseas qualified lawyers will only strengthen it.

A note to colleagues

My only suggestion is to be open and empathetic. Moving countries is not easy and often involves starting again, professionally and personally.

Many overseas qualified lawyers may not be the loudest people in the room. Many of us come from professional cultures where hierarchy is respected, and senior voices carry weight. We listen first because we are conditioned to engage respectfully, not because we lack views or confidence.

While relocating is a personal choice, understanding an internationally trained lawyer’s background and giving them time to adjust can make a real difference. Small gestures of support and clarity help people settle faster and contribute more confidently.