Your pathway to a stand out legal career
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) is an approved professional legal training (PLT) program required for Bachelor of Laws and Juris Doctor graduates who wish to qualify for admission as practising lawyers.
Based on the Australian Professional Legal Education Council (APLEC) Competency Standards for serving as a practising lawyer.
The program includes compulsory coursework subjects, your choice of electives and a legal placement.
Bond Law offers the GDLP online or on campus. All students are required to attend a compulsory five-day Learning Intensive at the start of the program which includes a series of guest presentations and workshops covering essential skills such as client interviews, settlement negotiations and work management.
The Learning Intensive component also serves to establish a close-knit, collegiate cohort working under the mentorship of practising legal professions in a dynamic, interactive learning environment.
Campus and Bond University Experience
Bond University has been ranked #1 in Australia for Student Experience by the Good Universities Guide for well over a decade.
The GDLP experience is highlighted by the extremely practical elements of the program taught by professional instructors who have industry experience. Students will gain confidence in advocacy, client interviews and negotiations while being guided and mentored by legal practitioners.
Students will also have access to one-on-one-career guidance and introductions through the University's Career Development Centre (CDC) where the team is dedicated to supporting all students throughout their career journey by helping them to find law placements and future employment opportunities.
Be ready for admission
Experience the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
What our students say
"The program balances practical skills and knowledge development with real life legal experiences in local firms, government departments and the courts. Feedback is detailed and focused on what it would look like in real practice; and our questions are answered by knowledgeable and experienced members of the profession."
Key features
- Develop the skills needed to work as a legal professional
- Flexible delivery which includes online and on-campus, part-time or full-time
- Gain practical experience and industry introductions through work placements
- Be guided and mentored by experienced legal practitioners
- Support in securing legal placements
- Learn online or on campus via an innovative, interactive learning platform
- Qualify for admission as a practising lawyer
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 |
|
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: $21,788
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.
What our academics say

Tanya Atwill
The practical workshops and skill based material delivered by experienced legal practitioners together with one-on-one mentoring for trainees and access to services like the Career Development Centre are invaluable and set Bond GDLP apart from other providers.

Tanya Atwill
The practical workshops and skill based material delivered by experienced legal practitioners together with one-on-one mentoring for trainees and access to services like the Career Development Centre are invaluable and set Bond GDLP apart from other providers.

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