Semester 1
First semester may include the following core topics:
- The Australian Legal System
- Contract
- Torts
- Legal Theory and Research
Build legal expertise and develop practical skills for diverse careers in law, corporate, and government sectors.
This course is not available to International Students
Why study the Graduate Diploma in Laws at Flinders?
In just 12 months, this graduate diploma develops practical legal skills that open career opportunities in policy, compliance, risk management, and corporate advisory, while also providing a clear stepping stone to further legal study such as the Juris Doctor.
Broaden your legal knowledge
Expand your understanding of key areas of law to complement your career and prepare for further legal studies.
Enhance your qualifications and career pathways
Open doors in governance, policy development and compliance with a qualification that strengthens your professional profile.
Apply the law to real-world scenarios
Develop practical skills to interpret and apply legal principles in professional contexts.
Your pathway to the Juris Doctor
Progress into a flexible and prestigious law degree that provides the opportunity to practise law.
Scholarships are a great way to ease the financial challenges of university study
Flinders has scholarships for high achievers, those in need of financial aid, indigenous, rural, and STEM students.
You’ll study 8 topics that provide comprehensive legal education, combining foundational courses with advanced study in various areas of law. The program is divided into two semesters: the first covers core legal concepts, and the second focuses on specialised areas such as international law, legal innovation, and property law.
First semester may include the following core topics:
Second semester may include:
The Graduate Diploma in Laws opens doors to career opportunities in legal, corporate, and government sectors. Graduates can pursue roles in policy development, compliance, risk management, or corporate advisory, or use this qualification as a pathway to further legal studies and professional advancement.
You could be a
Expected salary
$150,000*
Expected salary
$145,000*
Expected salary
$130,000*
Expected salary
$125,000*
Expected salary
$110,000*
You could be a
Expected salary
$150,000*
Expected salary
$145,000*
Expected salary
$130,000*
Expected salary
$125,000*
Expected salary
$110,000*
*Upon completion of Practical Legal Training, typical salaries are drawn from a variety of sources, including Seek, Glassdoor and Indeed, and may vary. Please do your own research.
In this course, you’ll gain insights grounded in real-world practice through Flinders’ strong partnerships with law firms, government agencies, and not-for-profit organisations. Your studies will emphasise the practical application of legal principles, giving you the skills and confidence to apply legal knowledge directly in your workplace or future career.
Flinders University is a future you can count on
Pathway to qualify to practise law in Australia and in Singapore with a university ranked in the top 2% globally.
No. 2 in Australia in Law & Paralegal Studies for teaching quality**
Flexible online study - study anywhere, anytime and start, stop and restart your studies when life allows
Fast-track foundational legal knowledge complete the program in just 1 year and gain a strong understanding of essential legal principles and their applications
In demand skills. Improve decision-making, compliance, and problem-solving in various industries, making you more competitive in your field
Learn from experienced Lawyers through interactive, cased-based teaching
**THE World University Rankings 2024 as a percentage of the total number of universities in the world according to the International Association of Universities)
**The Good Universities Guide 2023 (postgraduate)
Meet your academics
Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to industry.
Robert draws on his diverse experience as a lawyer, educator, and commercial adviser to prepare students for real-world challenges. Specialising in intellectual property and technology, he explores the dynamic interplay between technological innovation, societal impacts, and regulatory frameworks.
Simone is a lawyer with over 13 years' experience, and integrates legal and business innovation into her teaching. As Dedicated Course Mentor for the Juris Doctor program, she fosters student success by blending practical expertise in law with collaborative problem-solving and design thinking approaches.
Tania leads Flinders Law’s innovative undergraduate curriculum, focusing on legal education for emerging technologies, access to justice, and sustainability. An award-winning educator and researcher, she contributes to national initiatives on future mobility, legal tech, and regulatory frameworks, shaping the future of legal practice and education.
Flinders University offers staggered qualifications as you complete certain milestones. Finish four topics and you’ll receive a Graduate Certificate. Finish another four topics, and you’ll receive a Graduate Diploma. Complete a further 12 topics in addition to those, and you will be awarded a Juris Doctor.
Complete 4 topics to earn
Graduate Certificate in Laws
Complete 8 topics to earn
Graduate Diploma in Laws
Complete 24 topics to earn
Juris Doctor
Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
The Graduate Diploma in Laws is designed for graduates from non-legal disciplines who wish to gain a foundational understanding of law. It’s ideal for those looking to advance their careers in fields such as corporate governance, policy development, or compliance, or as a pathway to further legal studies.
Yes, the program is flexible, offering part-time study options to accommodate your personal and professional commitments.
The Graduate Diploma in Laws is typically completed in one year of full-time study. If you choose to study part-time, the duration will depend on your study load.
Yes, you need to have completed a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. No prior legal knowledge is required.
Yes, this qualification is highly regarded by employers in legal, corporate, and government sectors for its emphasis on practical skills and industry-relevant knowledge.
Yes, it is a pathway to advanced legal studies, such as the Juris Doctor, which leads to admission into the legal profession.
If you want to practise law in Australia, Practical Legal Training (or PLT) is the next step to complete after graduating after completing a Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Laws – Legal Practice Entry. It is a requirement that helps you transition from your academic studies to real-life legal practice.
Select your preferred course.
Check the entry requirements and your eligibility.
Confirm the key application and enrolment dates.
Apply and submit your application via Direct Entry.
Flinders Online courses are available for Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas and Pacific Engagement visa holders.
International students in Australia who hold a student visa are not eligible to apply.
For further information regarding course eligibility, refer to the individual entry requirements for each course.
You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and by no later than teaching commencement dates. If places fill, applications for your preferred start date may close without notice and you will be considered for the next available intake.
Some courses have non-standard semester commencement dates as follows:
Please refer to the individual Flinders Online course for more information.
Applications are submitted directly with Flinders.
You can apply for up to three courses in order of preference in your application. More information is available in the Application Guide.
Normally, we will inform you of the outcome of your application within 3-5 working days after submission.
If further information is required, we will contact you via email with details on what is needed and how to provide it.
Yes, government-supported HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP loan area available to help eligible students pay for their higher education tuition fees.
Both loans are indexed to reflect changes in the cost of living but are otherwise interest free. HELP Loans must be repaid through the tax system once your income reaches a certain threshold, with payments increasing as your earnings rise.
CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University
CRICOS Provider: 00114A
TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097
TEQSA category: Australian University
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