The aim of the survey is to identify issues affecting the recruitment and retention of lawyers in regional, rural and remote areas, and to get feedback on issues such as legal aid work, retirement and recession planning.

Law Council president John Corcoran said there was already a significant shortage of lawyers in rural and remote areas and that numbers are continuing to decline. This is likely to place an even greater burden on legal aid and justice systems in these areas.

"There is little doubt that moves must be made to attract more lawyers to regional and rural areas of Australia, and to encourage them to stay," he said.

The deadline for survey responses is Monday 30 March. The information will help the Law Council to form recommendation on how to best tackle the issues faced by lawyers outside big centres.