Graduate Certificate in Laws

Build tailored legal expertise and apply it to your workplace right away.

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Entry requirements

Key information

VIEWING DOMESTICINTERNATIONAL

Bachelor's degree in an area other than Law

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Direct Entry

Yes

Duration

0.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)

Start Dates

March

July

Annual Fees

2025 : $16,884 (FFP)

2025 : (FFP)

Delivery mode

Online

Practical experience

Not available

Study abroad

Not available

English language requirements

English language requirements by country

Why study the Graduate Certificate in Laws at Flinders?

In just six months, this graduate certificate develops practical legal knowledge and critical thinking skills, helping you strengthen your expertise for careers in policy, compliance, advisory roles, and a wide range of professions, plus a pathway to practise law.

Complete in just 6 months

Gain a strong understanding of key legal principles and their application in a short, focused program.

Apply legal skills directly to your career

Open doors in governance, policy development and compliance with a qualification that strengthens your professional profile.

A pathway to deeper legal study

Take your first step toward advanced law studies and improve your understanding of the legal system.

Access unique mentoring and support

Benefit from dedicated student support, including the Juris Doctor Mentor Network that connects you with experienced legal professionals.

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.

Find out if you're eligible.

What you will study

You’ll study 1 core topic and then select 3 option topics to develop key legal skills applicable to your career needs. You’ll gain foundational knowledge of the Australian legal system and explore specialised areas such as contract law, international law, and dispute resolution.

Course handbook

Semester 1

Core topic

The Australian Legal System

Optional topics

Legal Innovation and Problem Solving
Dispute Resolution
Contract
Torts
Property, Equity and Trusts
Criminal Law
Corporate Law

Your career

The Graduate Certificate in Laws can leverage legal knowledge and skills in roles that require an understanding of legal frameworks but not formal legal practice. This qualification can lead to careers in policy-making, compliance, research, and advisory roles in diverse sectors where a foundational knowledge of law is advantageous.

Potential occupations

You could be a

Expected salary
$140,000^*

Expected salary
$120,000^*

Expected salary
$105,000^*

Expected salary
$85,000^*

Expected salary
$80,000^*

Potential occupations

You could be a

Expected salary
$140,000^*

Expected salary
$120,000^*

Expected salary
$105,000^*

Expected salary
$85,000^*

Expected salary
$80,000^*

Potential employers

Businesses
Corporations
Government agencies
Law firms
Policy and regulatory agencies

Connect with industry

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.

Get inspired

Discover more about Flinders Law.

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 six months 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 Chalmers

Senior Lecturer

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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 Daniells

Associate Lecturer

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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.

Professor Tania Leiman

Dean of Law

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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.

Entry requirements

To be accepted into this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following entry requirements:

hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in an area other than law, or
hold a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in law that does not make them eligible to be admitted to practise law in Australia.

Three qualifications in one

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.

6-month

Complete 4 topics to earn
Graduate Certificate in Laws

12-month

Complete 8 topics to earn
Graduate Diploma in Laws

3 years

Complete 24 topics to earn
Juris Doctor

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Who is the Graduate Certificate in Laws designed for?

The Graduate Certificate in Laws is designed for individuals from non-legal backgrounds who want to gain foundational knowledge of the legal system. It’s ideal for professionals looking to enhance their understanding of law in business, government, or other industries.

Can I use this qualification to become a lawyer?

No, the Graduate Certificate in Laws does not qualify you to practise law. However, it provides a pathway to further legal studies, such as the Graduate Diploma in Laws or Juris Doctor, which can lead to legal practice.

What topics will I study in the Graduate Certificate in Laws?

You will study core topics like the Australian legal system and can choose from electives such as dispute resolution, contract law, or international law to tailor your learning experience.

Can I transition to the Graduate Diploma in Laws after completing the certificate?

Yes, the Graduate Certificate in Laws is nested within the Graduate Diploma in Laws. You can transition seamlessly and receive credit for completed topics.

Do I need a background in law to apply

No prior legal background is required. This course is tailored for graduates from other disciplines who want to explore or integrate legal knowledge into their careers.

What is Practical Legal Training?

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.

How to apply in 4 easy steps

Step 1

Choose your course

Select your preferred course.

Step 2

Requirements

Check the entry requirements and your eligibility.

Step 3

Key dates

Confirm the key application and enrolment dates.

Step 4

Submit application

Apply and submit your application via Direct Entry.

Apply now via Direct Entry

Who is eligible to apply?

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.

When do I apply?

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.

Semester 1: teaching commences 3 March 2025 – Applications close 28 February 2025
Semester 2: teaching commences 28 July 2025 – Applications close 25 July 2025

Some courses have non-standard semester commencement dates as follows:

February Study Period: teaching commences 24 February 2025 – Applications close 21 February 2025
June Study Period: teaching commences 30 June 2025 – Applications close 27 June 2025
September Study Period: teaching commences 29 September 2025 – Applications close 26 September 2025

Please refer to the individual Flinders Online course for more information.

Other critical and key dates

How do I apply?

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.

Flinders Online Application guide

I've applied - what happens next?

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.

Are HELP Loans available?

Yes, government-supported HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP loan area available to help eligible students pay for their higher education tuition fees.

HECS-HELP is for students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) to cover their student contribution amount.
FEE-HELP is for eligible domestic fee-paying students to cover their full 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.