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Course Overview
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, also referred to as the Tasmanian Legal Practice Course, is 24-week full-time professional and practical training course conducted by the Centre for Legal Studies in Hobart.
The course runs on campus and in person from February to July each year, preparing law graduates for the conduct of legal practice and admission as a legal practitioner.
It is an approved course of practical legal training in the duties of a legal practitioner, for the purposes of the Legal Profession (Board of Legal Education) Rules 2021.
More information about the Tasmanian Legal Practice Course is available at the Centre for Legal Studies or:
Key dates for 2025
This course runs on a unique schedule. If you are commencing in 2025, view the key dates for your course (PDF 150KB).
The Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice require the completion of 100 credit points of Core units.
Where You Can Study
Hobart
French St, Hobart, Tasmania (TAS) 7005
Eligibility
Domestic students:
In accordance with section 8(2) of Legal Profession (Board of Legal Education) Rules 2021 to be eligible to enrol in the post-graduate Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice applicants need to have EITHER:
successfully completed an academic qualification in law leading to admission to the Australian legal profession, OR
have no more than 2 academic subjects to complete:
(i) where none of the outstanding subjects is one of the academic areas of knowledge referred to in Schedule 1 of the Legal Profession (Board of Legal Education) Rules 2021; and
(ii) for which the applicant must be enrolled while undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice; and
(iii) the applicant has received the prior permission of the Board of Legal Education to commence the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
If the applicant has completed their academic qualifications in law at a time that will be more than five years before their application to the Board of Legal Education for assessment of their academic qualifications for the purposes of admission, the applicant must, before entry to the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, apply for assessment of their academic qualifications under rule 4(3) of the Legal Profession ( Board of Legal Education) Rules 2021, and receive the Board's approval.
International students:
Admission to most postgraduate coursework courses at the University of Tasmania require qualifications equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree.
If you have completed your Bachelor of Laws or equivalent in a jurisdiction other than Australia, you will need to have your qualification assessed by the Law Society of Tasmania for assessment of overseas qualification through the Tasmanian Board of Legal Education https://lst.org.au/about/contact-us/
English Language Requirements
For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.
Course Specific Requirements
In accordance with section 8(2) of Legal Profession (Board of Legal Education) Rules 2021 to be eligible to enrol in the post-graduate Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice applicants need to have:
If the applicant has completed their academic qualifications in law at a time that will be more than five years before their application to the Board of Legal Education for assessment of their academic qualifications for the purposes of admission, the applicant must, before entry to the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, apply for assessment of their academic qualifications under rule 4(3) of the Legal Profession ( Board of Legal Education) Rules 2021, and receive the Board's approval.
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
TEQSA
Professional Body
Board of Legal Education (TAS)
Accreditation Status
AccreditedSkills Assessor
State Legal Admission Authority
Course Content
Skills, Ethics and Professional Responsibility
This unit focuses on advancing your technical and practical knowledge in the areas of client interviewing, drafting (including writing letters) and advocacy skills which are then developed throughout the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. You will participate in a combination…
Civil Litigation Practice: Supreme Court Practice and Advocacy
At the conclusion of the unit, you will be able to conduct civil litigation in first instance matters in at least one State or Territory Court of general jurisdiction, in a timely and cost-effective manner. You will develop valuable advocacy…
Criminal Law Practice: Magistrates' Court Practice & Advocacy
In this unit you will build broad knowledge and skills required to competently practice criminal law as an entry-level lawyer. You will apply your acquired knowledge and skills to provide effective representation in the criminal jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court…
Commercial and Corporate Practice
This unit is organised into three parts of commercial Law practice – Foundations, Transactions and Interactions, with the substantive competency modules spread across the full course timetable. The unit will also cover a range of other common commercial law matters…
Property Law Practice
This unit centres on settling a standard transfer of property from the legal perspective of acting for both a vendor and a purchaser in accordance with land use legislation in Tasmania. Key steps to cover include: • drafting a contract…
Trust and Office Accounting
At the conclusion of this unit, you will be able to undertake appropriate general accounting and financial processes required to maintain trust and general account records according to law and good practice. You will develop knowledge and understanding of the…
Family Law Practice and Procedure
In this unit you will gain a general overview of the principal issues involved in the practice of family law. You will build knowledge and skills to provide effective representation as an entry-level lawyer in dispute resolution and pre-action procedures…
Common Questions
Yes, the course can be completed part-time alongside full-time work. Students typically study two units each semester, mostly online from home, and attend in-person workshops once or twice per semester, making it possible to fit university commitments around a work schedule.
You need a science background to enrol in this graduate diploma. An undergraduate science degree, such as a Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science, is sufficient, and no additional study is required before starting.
The course is delivered through the Menzies Institute for Medical Research in Hobart, Tasmania. Most study is completed online from home, with students attending in-person workshops on campus once or twice per semester.
Graduates can work as Environmental Health Officers, performing a variety of tasks including food inspections, septic tank inspections, handling resident complaints about noise or vermin, and conducting outdoor sampling of water systems. Students may also be eligible for cadetship programs with local councils during their studies.
According to student experience, studying online is described as 'really helpful' because with everything recorded and available online, it is easier to access study material and catch up when time allows, rather than being constrained to a fixed university timetable.
Application
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Enquire
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Step 02
Submit Documents
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Step 03
Get Enrolled
Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!
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