Graduate Diploma in Australian Law

What you will study

The course requires completion of a minimum of 48 credit points. However, each candidate's course of study varies depending on the number of subjects they are required to take in order to be admitted to practise in NSW. Subjects other than those listed below may be substituted depending on what subjects the LPAB requires applicants to complete to be eligible for admission to practise.

Each subject is valued at six credit points unless otherwise indicated.

Core Subjects

Select 48 credit points from the following:

• Administrative Law (eight credit points)
• Australian Constitutional Law (eight credit points)
• Civil Practice
• Contracts (eight credit points)
• Criminal Law and Procedure (eight credit points)
• Equity and Trusts (eight credit points)
• Ethics Law and Justice
• Evidence
• Foundations of Law (eight credit points)
• Introduction to Property and Commercial Law
• Skills and Wills Practice
• Litigation Practice
• Principles of Company Law (eight credit points)
• Real Property (eight credit points)
• Torts (eight credit points)
• Property and Commercial Practice

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must have the following:

Completed Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor from outside Australia OR be admitted to practise as a legal practitioner in a common law jurisdiction outside Australia AND evidence from the NSW Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) of equivalency of the applicant’s legal qualification for the purpose of admission as a legal practitioner in NSW; and the list of subjects that the LPAB deems necessary for the applicant to complete to seek admission as a legal practitioner in NSW.

Students who have graduated with a Shari'a law qualification are not eligible to apply for this course.

English Language Requirements

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee a place offer.

Recognition of Prior Learning

UTS acknowledge both your formal qualifications and the wealth of informal learning you've accumulated along the way. This personalised RPL process not only recognises your hard work but also streamlines the duration and cost of your course, ensuring you reach your future goals faster.

Your previous education or employment must be evaluated to be equivalent to a UTS subject as per the Admissions and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and Procedures. This assessment considers:

• Currency of knowledge
• Relevance of your previous learning
• Learning outcomes
• Volume of learning
• Content of study
• Learning and assessment approaches

Prior learning can be recognised only once within any individual UTS course, it cannot be recognised again for another subject or component in that course.

Alternatively, subject substitution might be offered. This is where an alternative subject(s) of equivalent credit point value is added to your study plan.

It’s important to note that UTS assesses RPL only after an enrolment offer is accepted.

Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of a complex body of legal knowledge relating to the Australian legal system and laws and contemporary developments in law and its professional practice.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the principles and approaches to ethical decision-making and professional responsibility in legal practice including the ability to respond independently to ethical challenges, demonstrating professional judgment.
• Formulate appropriate responses to legal problems and questions, using advanced skills in legal research, critical analysis and evaluation.
• Reflect on Indigenous contexts to inform professional capabilities to work for and with Indigenous peoples across the legal sector.
• Generate solutions to complex legal issues through effective collaboration and communicate accurately and persuasively to a variety of audiences.

Career Outcomes

Career options include lawyer in NSW within a government or corporate department, private law firm or community law centre, providing students also undertake a course in practical legal training (PLT).

Fees and FEE-HELP

Estimated tuition fee per session in 2025: $21,005 (domestic full-fee paying place)

The estimated fee is calculated based on a study load of 24 credit points per session.

Tuition fees are charged:

• Based on the particular course in which you are enrolled.
• Based on the number of credit points you are enrolled in,
• At the rates set for the current year and revised annually.

In addition to tuition fees, students are required to pay a Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The purchase of textbooks and other course materials may also result in additional costs.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.