Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice

Your pathway to a stand out legal career

Enrol in the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) and complete your practical legal training (PLT) to become workplace ready. Taught by industry professionals, you will receive all the practical training and essential skills needed to become a practising lawyer.

Competitively priced, the GDLP program at Bond University provides flexibility of study to suit your circumstance as domestic students can choose to study either online or on-campus.

Learn in the now

Right now, this moment, things are changing. Big changes, small changes, climate changes, gear-changes. With so much going on in the world, why wouldn’t you learn from it?

Experience the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice

What our students say

“The PLT course at Bond really comes highly recommended. I felt prepared for many of the tasks and the level of professionalism of the lecturers and feedback was brilliant. The material given to us was detailed and so useful. I think it really is a well-coordinated program that definitely assisted me through my practical placement.”

Key features

Premium quality, personalised learning experience at a competitive price
Flexible options: online, on campus, full-time, part-time
Innovative and interactive learning modules
Complete the course in 2 semesters (full-time)
Experienced legal practitioners as instructors and mentors
Personalised support in securing a legal placement
Full range of university resources including world-class law library

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. 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	May 2019 September 2019 January 2020 May 2020 September 2020
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]

Professional outcomes

Successful completion of the Bond GDLP will enable you to apply for admission to legal practice in Australia. The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice meets the standards to prepare law graduates for admission to practice as a solicitor. Students should contact the relevant admitting authority to ascertain the requirements for admission in specific States or Territories.

Structure and subjects

The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice can be completed online or on-campus. Trainees must complete a compulsory five (5) day learning intensive at the start of the program.

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:

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 2019

Semester	Intensive / Start of Program	End of Program
May 2019	13 May 2019	14 December 2019
September 2019	9 September 2019	16 April 2020
January 2020	13 January 2020	15 August 2020

Please note that the Learning Intensive will run for five (5) days.

Program fees

The below fees are based on the total cost, fees may vary based on which subjects are selected and the number of subjects enrolled in for each semester.

2019 fees: $20,330
2020 fees: $21,050

When considering the fees associated with your studies, keep in mind that Bond’s accelerated schedule means you can finish your degree sooner and be out in the workforce up to a year earlier than if you went to another university.

This time saving also represents a substantial reduction in accommodation and living costs, plus a full year of extra earnings.

Find out your financing options and other costs to consider.

Admission criteria

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

Bond University calendar

What our academics say

Further study

Are you interested in further postgraduate study? In addition to applying for admission, upon completion of the GDLP program, students have the option of continuing their studies to obtain a Master of Laws. The LLM is a postgraduate law qualification that provides flexibility and choice with a wide range of specialist areas, which means you can design your Master's degree to suit your area of interest and needs. Upon successful completion of the GDLP program, students will receive credit for two of the eight subjects in the LLM program.