Gain Admission to Practise Law In Australia
Notice: This program has been suspended, with May 2021 being the final intake of students. The following information is being retained for students currently enrolled in the program.
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) will provide you with the practical legal skills needed to become a practising lawyer. It is the pathway to admission.
Studying the GDLP, you will undertake a structured program based on the Australian Professional Legal Education Council (APLEC) Competency Standards for entry level lawyers.
As part of the program, you will cover compulsory coursework in addition to a choice of elective subjects.
You will also be required to complete a practical legal placement to enhance your learning.
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice is competitively priced, and offers an innovative learning platform; students are guided throughout the program by experienced academics who have extensive practical experience.
Campus and Bond University Experience
Bond is continually ranked Number 1 for Student Experience in the Good Universities Guide.
The GDLP student experience is highlighted by the extremely practical elements of the program taught be professional instructors who have industry experience. Students will gain confidence in advocacy, client interviews and negotiations whilst be guided and mentored by instructors.
Students will have access to one-on-one-career development support through the University's Career Development Centre (CDC) (Link). The CDC team is dedicated to support students in planning their career journey; assisting in finding law placements and providing guidance on and support in employment opportunities.
Hear about the Bond GDLP Difference

The GDLP program prepares you for admission as a lawyer. Hear from our academics and students on the program.
Experience the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Key features
- Develop the skills needed to work as a legal professional
- Undertake practical legal placement in the area of your choice to gain experience in the legal industry
- Receive guidance and mentoring from experienced legal instructors and mentors
- Gain personalised support in securing legal placements
- Learn via an innovative and interactive learning platform
- Experience legal practitioners as instructors and mentors
About the program
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) is a postgraduate program offered by the Faculty of Law, and is the link between a student’s law degree and becoming a practising lawyer. The GDLP provides students with a structured coursework learning environment as well as supervised legal training. Show more
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) is a postgraduate program offered by the Faculty of Law, and is the link between a student’s law degree and becoming a practising lawyer. The GDLP provides students with a structured coursework learning environment as well as supervised legal training. The program is based on the competency standards for entry level lawyers developed by the admitting authorities and the Australian Professional Legal Education Council (APLEC). Successful completion of the program will enable students to apply for admission to legal practice in Australia and in some overseas jurisdictions. Students should contact the relevant admitting authority to ascertain the requirements for admission in specific States or Territories. Show less
Mode | On Campus |
Duration | 2 semesters (8 months) |
Starting semesters |
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Program type | Postgraduate Diploma |
Study area | Law |
Program code | LA-43059 |
CRICOS code | 098084C |
Credit for prior study | For more details on applying for credit, please contact the Student Business Centre: [email protected] |
Structure of the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP)
The GDLP can be completed online or on-campus. Trainees must complete a compulsory five (5) day learning intensive at the start of the program. For January 2021, the Learning Intensive will be held online.
The GDLP has two components, that students will need to complete; the Compulsory Component and the Elective Component. A sample study plan can be viewed by clicking here.
1. Compulsory Component
As part of the Compulsory Component, you will need to complete:
- Law Placement (30 days) + Transition to Practice
- Learning Intensive + four (4) compulsory subjects;
The compulsory subjects will include:
- Civil Litigation Practice
- Commercial and Corporate Law Practice
- Financial and Ethical Responsibilities
- Property Law Practice
2. Elective Component
In the Elective Component, you can choose to complete EITHER:
- Two (2) electives coursework subjects + an Elective Law Placement; or
- Four (4) elective coursework subjects;
Students can select from the following Electives:
All elective coursework subjects are delivered online.
Program Dates for 2021
Semester | Intensive / Start of Program | End of Program |
---|---|---|
January 2021 | 18 January 2021 | 21 August 2021 |
May 2021 | 17 May 2021 | 18 December 2021 |
September 2021 | 13 September 2021 | 27 April 2022 |
Please note that the online Learning Intensive will run for five (5) days.
The below fees are based on the total estimated program fee. Fees each semester may vary based on which subjects are selected and the number of subjects enrolled in for each semester.
Total program fee:
- Students commencing study in 2021: $23,730
Find out your financing options and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees are subject to change on an annual basis and will be charged at the appropriate fee for the year of enrolment.
* Note: for students commencing January 2021 the University has held the 2020 tuition fee amount in recognition of the current circumstances, with 2021 fees effective only from the University’s May 2021 semester.
Academic entry requirements
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice is offered to students who have completed a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor program at an approved Australian institution (or equivalent).
Please contact the Office of Future Students for further information.
Concurrent enrolment
Students will be considered for concurrent enrolment in the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice:
- at the discretion of the GDLP Director;
- with a maximum of two (2) electives remaining in their Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) program; and
- with written approval from the Legal Practitioners Admission Board (LPAB) or its equivalent in the State/Territory in which the student intends to be admitted.
Please note: Students with Priestly Eleven compulsory subjects to complete cannot be approved for concurrent enrolment.
English language proficiency requirements
As tuition is delivered in English, all international students will be required to provide documented evidence of the required level of proficiency in the English language. Read more detailed information on English Language Proficiency Requirements for university study.
How to apply
Students must submit a Concurrent Enrolment Application Form for consideration at least three (3) weeks prior to the Program commencement.
Please note that in addition, students must also submit an official application for the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice via the Bond website.
Please contact the Office of Future Students for any enrolment enquiries on 1800-074-074 or email [email protected].
To speak to the GDLP Coordinator, please call +61 7 5595 2284 or email [email protected].
Please note that the rules and conditions of concurrent enrolment are subject to change. Concurrent enrolment is not a ground for special consideration for students in relation to absence from class, extensions, assignments, assessments, exams, appeals, late withdrawals, etc. for their Law subjects or GDLP. Students are required to attend all GDLP compulsory sessions.
Students are reminded that admission to legal practice is your responsibility. If you have any concerns about how your concurrent enrolment may affect your eligibility to apply for admission to legal practice, you should contact the LPAB or its equivalent in the State/Territory in which you intend to be admitted.
Key dates
Future outcomes
Upon completion you will be eligible for admission to practise law in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Once you have been admitted as an Australian Legal Practitioner, you are entitled to practise in all state jurisdictions, as well as the Federal jurisdiction.
Students should contact the relevant admitting authority to ascertain the requirements for admission in specific States or Territories. The accrediting body in Queensland is the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board (LPAB). Further information on becoming a legal practitioner in Queensland is available from the Queensland Law Society.
International students who have completed an Australian law degree are eligible to enrol in the GDLP. However, those wishing to practise law overseas should check the qualification and admission requirements for the particular jurisdiction in which they intend to practise.
Postgraduate study options in law include:
- Master of Laws
- Master of Laws in Commercial Law
- Master of Laws in Enterprise Governance
- Master of Laws in International Commercial Law (Online)
- Master of Laws (by Research)
- Doctor of Legal Science
- Doctor of Philosophy (Law)
GDLP graduates will receive credit for two of the eight subjects in the Bond Master of Laws program.
As a graduate of Bond’s Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP), you will be ready for admission to practise law in Australia.