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The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice provides you with the practical legal training (PLT) that you need for admission to the legal profession in Australia.
- Learn real-world professional knowledge and skills from experienced lawyers.
- Flexible study options, with full-time on-campus and full-time and part-time external (online) modes.
- We can source a 4-week placement for you in a law office.
During COVID-19 restrictions, all course delivery is available online.
Highlights
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice provides you with the practical legal training (PLT) that you need for admission to the legal profession in Australia.
- Learn real-world professional knowledge and skills from experienced lawyers.
- We can source a 4-week placement for you in a law office.
During COVID-19 restrictions, all course delivery is available online.
Explore this course
During your PLT, you will:
- develop professional skills such as negotiation and drafting legal documents
- learn core areas of legal practice and choose disciplines of your choice
- undertake a 4-week placement at a law office, which we can find for you.
Our course delivery includes:
- professional skills taught over 6 weeks, mostly online, plus 5 days intensive on campus (or virtually during COVID restrictions)
- practice areas taught over 13 weeks full-time either online or on campus or 26 weeks part-time online
- 4 weeks' work experience at a law office, with virtual placement options availalbe (unless you have credit for this component).
During your PLT, you will:
- develop professional skills such as negotiation and drafting legal documents
- learn core areas of legal practice and choose disciplines of your choice
- undertake a 4-week placement at a law office, which we can find for you.
Our course delivery includes:
- professional skills taught over 6 weeks, mostly online, plus 5 days intensive on campus (or virtually during COVID restrictions)
- practice areas taught over 13 weeks full-time on campus
- 4 weeks' work experience at a law office, with virtual placement options availalbe (unless you have credit for this component).
Professional recognition
The course is approved by the Queensland Legal Practitioners Admissions Board as satisfying the practical legal training requirements for admission to the legal profession in Queensland.
Possible careers
- Barrister
- Crown Law Officer
- In-House Lawyer
- Solicitor
The Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (PLT) consists of 8 units totalling 96 credit points.
Our PLT is structured into 3 components: skills, practice areas and a work placement.
1. Skills component
You will learn professional skills such as negotiation, drafting and ethics.
Delivery:
- 6 weeks for all students – mostly online
- 5-day attendance school (or virtually if COVID-19 restrictions apply).
2. Practice areas component
There are 5 compulsory units. You may be eligible for credit for Interaction if you have recent law office experience. In Electives you choose 2 areas for study from: criminal, administrative, family law practice, wills and estates, planning and environment, employment and industrial relations, consumer law and banking and finance).
Delivery:
- 13 weeks full-time or 26 weeks part-time (excluding breaks)
- Full-time or part-time online
- Full-time on campus (January/ July entries)
3. Placement
We will find a 4-week work placement for you at a law office, unless you have credit for your legal work experience. Virtual workplace options may be available if COVID restrictions limit real-life placements.
The Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (PLT) consists of 8 units totalling 96 credit points.
Our PLT is structured into 3 components: skills, practice areas and a work placement
3. Skills component
You will learn professional skills such as negotiation, drafting and ethics.
Delivery:
- 6 weeks for all students – mostly online
- 5-day attendance school (or virtually if COVID-19 restrictions apply)
2. Practice areas component
There are 5 compulsory units. You may be eligible for credit for Interaction if you have recent law office experience. In Electives you choose 2 areas for study from: criminal, administrative, family law practice, wills and estates, planning and environment, employment and industrial relations, consumer law and banking and finance).
Delivery:
- Full-time on campus (January/ July entries)
3. Placement
We will find a 4-week work placement for you at a law office, unless you have credit for your legal work experience. Virtual workplace options may be available if COVID restrictions limit real-life placements.
- Course code
- LP41
- CRICOS code
- 009034F
-
- External
- Gardens Point
-
- Gardens Point
- 24 weeks full-time
- 34 and 38 weeks part-time
-
January and July for full-time, on campus; January, March, July and August for full-time and part-time external.
- 24 weeks full-time
-
January and July for full-time, on campus; January, March, July and August for full-time and part-time external.
- January, March, July and August
- January entry 1-5 February (offered online only) March entry 22-26 March (offered online only) July entry 2-6 August (online or on campus subject to COVID-19) August entry 30 August -3 September (online or on campus subject to COVID-19)
- January and July
- A recognised bachelor degree (or higher qualification) in law (or equivalent study) which is approved for admission by the Australian legal profession; or
- Currently studying for such a (or higher qualification) in law (or equivalent study) with no more than two units to complete by the date the course commences and neither of those units is a unit commonly known as the "Priestly 11"; and
- You have the permission of the Queensland Legal Practitioners Admissions Board to commence the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice while you complete those units.
Additional entry information
If your qualification is from overseas you will need to apply to the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board (LPAB) (Queensland). You will need to submit the LPAB letter as part of your application.
Minimum academic requirements
Applicants with Australian law qualifications
A completed bachelor degree, higher award or equivalent study in law, which is approved for admission to the Australian legal profession; or
Currently studying for such a degree, award or equivalent with no more than two units to complete by the date the course commences and neither of those units is a unit commonly known as the "Priestly 11"; and
You have the permission of the Queensland Legal Practitioners Admissions Board to commence the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice while you complete those units.
Applicants with overseas law qualifications
A recognised completed bachelor degree, higher award or equivalent study in law, which is approved for admission to the Australian legal profession.
Applicants with law degrees completed overseas will need to have their degree assessed by the Legal Practitioners Admission Board (LPAB) in Queensland before applying to QUT. Please refer to the instructions on the Queensland Law Society website.
The LPAB will assess your qualification and provide you a letter outlining the law undergraduate/Priestly 11 units you must study prior to commencing LP41 Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. You must include this letter with your application to study at QUT.
International students wishing to study in Australia, will receive a package offer with U096 International Transfer Year or U084 International Transfer Semester depending on the number of units the LPAB has identified you must study.
| Priestley 11 units | QUT Equivalent subjects |
|---|---|
| Criminal Law and Procedure | Criminal Law (LLB106) |
| Torts | Torts (LLB102) |
| Contracts (Need both QUT units) | Contract Law (LLB202) and Commercial Remedies (LLB304) |
| Property (need both QUT units) | Real Property Law (LLB301) and Commercial and Personal Property Law (LLB204) |
| Equity | Equity and Trusts (LLB205) |
| Company Law | Corporate Law (LLH305) |
| Administrative Law | Administrative Law (LLH206) |
| State and Federal Constitutional Law | Constitutional Law (LLB203) |
| Civil Procedure | Civil Procedure (LLB306) |
| Evidence | Evidence (LLB303) |
| Ethics and Professional Responsibility | Ethics and the Legal Profession (LLH302) |
Minimum English language requirements
Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.
Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, United States of America and Wales.
If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.
We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests.
| English Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pearson PTE (Academic)
Test must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement date. |
58 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
|
Cambridge English Score
Test must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement. You must provide your Candidate ID and Candidate Secret Number, these are printed on your Cambridge English Confirmation of Entry. |
176 | 169 | 169 | 169 | 169 |
|
IELTS Academic
Test must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement date. |
6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
|
TOEFL iBT
Test must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement date. |
79 | 16 | 16 | 21 | 18 |
Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!
We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.
When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.
Haven't completed an English language test? We can help!
If you have not completed an English language test, you can sit the IELTS test at our IELTS test centre
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2021 fees
2021: Either $13,200 (indicative) full course based on seven units (we do not charge you for our placement unit) or $11,300 if you are eligible for advanced standing for our Interaction unit based on your past or current work place experience
2021 fees
2021: Either $25,100 (indicative) full course based on seven units (we do not charge you for our placement unit) or $21,500 if you are eligible for advanced standing for our Interaction unit based on your past or current work place experience
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
Find out more about postgraduate course fees
FEE-HELP: loans to help you pay your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a FEE-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
Support. Guidance. Inspiration.
“The practical assessments really pushed me out of my comfort zone. At the same time we had support and guidance from the staff. They treated us as equals, they treated us as colleagues and they also inspired us.”
Helping you succeed
I was taught by legal practitioners, Barristers and academic staff. The advocacy assessment, for example, was overseen by Barristers in a mock trial setting. The lecturers and support staff were always available to answer questions. It was clear from day one that the course co-ordinators and support staff truly cared about the students and wanted us to succeed in our legal careers.
Choose a PLT with firm connections
‘I chose to study my undergraduate degree at QUT based on the strength of its reputation in both teaching staff and graduate outcomes. I connected with my current employer, Stephens & Tozer, through QUT’s graduate employment register which is circulated for PLT students. I undertook my four week placement with the firm, and was offered a position after the conclusion of the placement period.’
Work placements
'We host practical legal training (PLT) students because we believe we can offer them a well-rounded experience. We can allow students to actually do the work that creates an important springboard into legal practice.'
Landing a dream job
'QUT sourced a placement for me in a Brisbane city law firm. I completed my placement to make sure I filled the requirements for admission and then I was offered a role at the firm.'
Real support
'Returning to study was quite daunting at a mature age. However, I found QUT's facilities and services great. They were always willing to help out and always point me in the right direction when I had a question to ask.'
Support. Guidance. Inspiration.
“The practical assessments really pushed me out of my comfort zone. At the same time we had support and guidance from the staff. They treated us as equals, they treated us as colleagues and they also inspired us.”
Helping you succeed
I was taught by legal practitioners, Barristers and academic staff. The advocacy assessment, for example, was overseen by Barristers in a mock trial setting. The lecturers and support staff were always available to answer questions. It was clear from day one that the course co-ordinators and support staff truly cared about the students and wanted us to succeed in our legal careers.
Choose a PLT with firm connections
‘I chose to study my undergraduate degree at QUT based on the strength of its reputation in both teaching staff and graduate outcomes. I connected with my current employer, Stephens & Tozer, through QUT’s graduate employment register which is circulated for PLT students. I undertook my four week placement with the firm, and was offered a position after the conclusion of the placement period.’
Work placements
'We host practical legal training (PLT) students because we believe we can offer them a well-rounded experience. We can allow students to actually do the work that creates an important springboard into legal practice.'
Landing a dream job
'QUT sourced a placement for me in a Brisbane city law firm. I completed my placement to make sure I filled the requirements for admission and then I was offered a role at the firm.'
Real support
'Returning to study was quite daunting at a mature age. However, I found QUT's facilities and services great. They were always willing to help out and always point me in the right direction when I had a question to ask.'
