Law
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
- Domestic
- International
About Degree
Approach the bench
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) is a compulsory requirement to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor in South Australia. It provides practical legal training for law graduates.
To apply, you must have successfully completed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), or met the criteria specified by admitting authorities in your state or territory. If you studied your LLB overseas you’ll need to have your qualifications accredited by the South Australian Board of Examiners before you can commence the GDLP. You can contact the Law Society of South Australia to discuss these requirements.
What will you do?
The GDLP program is designed to be flexible around other requirements. You’ll choose between weekday, after-hours and weekend classes. There is also an accelerated pathway, which can be completed in 20 weeks. You will:
- complete five core courses
- select two electives aligned to your interests and career goals
- undertake five hours minimum of continuing professional development
- build real-world skills through 30 days (225 hours) of legal practice placement.
After gaining admission, you can apply for a Practising Certificate in other Australian states and territories via mutual recognition.
Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.I am a:
- Domestic
- International
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 3GD087 |
|---|---|
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | Throughout the academic year |
Selection Criteria
| Higher Education Study | A completed Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent program from within Australia. Applicants in their final semester of a Bachelor of Laws will be considered. In order to be permitted to commence the GDLP, applicants must have completed all Priestley 11 subjects required for admission. Applicants with overseas qualifications will be considered on a case by case basis. |
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Student Profile
| Applicant background | Semester one/Full year intake 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of students | Percentage of all students | |
| International students | N/A | N/A |
| All students | 59 | 100.0% |
International applicants
| CRICOS | 077967G |
|---|---|
| Intake | February, April, July and October |
Selection Criteria
English Language Requirements
| Australian Year 12 | Successful completion of an Australian year 12 qualification with a minimum pass in an accepted English language subject | ||||||||||||
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| English Tests accepted by the University of APSB |
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| Qualifications that meet minimum English requirements | A range of alternative qualifications may meet the University’s minimum English requirements | ||||||||||||
Academic Entry Requirements
Detailed information on international qualifications assessment
| Tertiary Qualifications | Bachelor degree or equivalent | |
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How to Apply
Student Profile
| Applicant background | Semester one/Full year intake 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of students | Percentage of all students | |
| International students | N/A | N/A |
| All students | 59 | 100.0% |
Fees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.I am a:
- Domestic
- International
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees | Australian Full-fee place: $10,500 |
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
Scholarships
These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.
International applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees (24 units) | International student place: $17,500 |
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
More information on International Student tuition fees.
Scholarships
These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.
Careers
Career Readiness
Graduates will be fully qualified to practise law in Australia, and pursue rewarding careers as a barrister, solicitor or lawyer.
The University of APSB Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Graduate Attributes
The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of APSB Graduate Attributes.
- Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
- Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Professionalism and leadership readiness
- Intercultural and ethical competency
- Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
- Digital capabilities
- Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Industry Placement
Most students complete their placement in a legal office, for example in private practice or a government legal services department.
Although most students source their own placements, the Law Society of South Australia members of the GDLP staff can assist. Placements are allocated on a priority basis and whilst we endeavour to place students in their first choice practice area, this cannot be guaranteed.
GDLP students complete a placement handbook to ensure that they complete real legal tasks and "hit the ground running" on day one of practice as an admitted lawyer.
Professional Accreditation
GDLP graduates can apply for direct admission to practise as a barrister and solicitor in South Australia. Once admitted in South Australia, they can also apply for mutual recognition from the admitting authorities of any other Australian state or territory they wish to practise in.
Potential careers
Barrister, Solicitor, Jury Consultant, Lawyer / Solicitor / Barrister
Degree Structure
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) students are required to complete the following:
- Six core courses
- Two elective courses
- Five hours minimum of continuing professional development
- 15 days (105 hours) of legal practice placement.
The program is a 24 unit program. Traditionally the GDLP has been designed to be undertaken over a 6-12 month period. There is also an option for students to undertake the GDLP (unit delivery only) in 20 weeks via fast-tracking.
Note: International students must complete the program full-time and on-campus (face to face).
Example Study Plan
| Core courses |
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| Elective courses |
Courses to the value of six units from the following:
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Candidates must also complete work placements to the value of six weeks (225 hours) as approved by the Law Society of South Australia and complete five Continuing Professional Development hours. |
Assessment
A variety of assessment tasks will be required, varying slightly from course to course but including a combination of the following: multiple choice questions, practical legal research assessment, demonstration of advocacy skills, online quizzes, practical interviewing and advising tasks, participation in discussion boards, drafting letters of advice, drafting, completion of relevant forms.
