The first step to being able to apply for a visa as a Barrister or Solicitor is to obtain a positive skills assessment from the Legal Admissions Authority in the Australian state in which you wish to practise. All of the assessment bodies require that the applicant has achieved IELTS scores in the Academic test of at least 7 listening, 7 reading, 8 writing and 7.5 speaking with an overall score of at least 8.