Skip to main content
POSTGRADUATE

POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS

Find your true calling, specialise in your passion
Hi Guest! Sign in for a more tailored experience!

Build your career 

Options to complete a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters and advance your career

Advance your expertise

Sharpen your expertise in specific practice areas with practical, real-world focused subjects designed to elevate your proficiency.

Customise your journey

Enjoy the freedom and flexibility to customise your postgraduate program by studying the subjects that appeal to you.

Four intakes per year

Plan your year and the subject you intend to study each intake - Feb, May, Aug, Nov.

A POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATION GIVES YOU AN EDGE

The College of Law can help you expand on what you already know and acquire new knowledge while providing you with opportunities to hone your skills in a  practice area, so that you stand out from the competition. 

Open up new career pathways by studying a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master of Laws program. One that’s reality-based, balanced and world-renowned, so you can become the best version of yourself for your client, practice and community. 

This is your chance to build career prospects, earn industry recognition, and boost your earning potential. 

Curious about where your skills could take you next? Scroll down to explore the variety of practice areas, detailed course subjects, and potential awards waiting for you. Find your perfect fit and tailor your education to your career ambitions.

Intake 1, Starts 10 February 2025

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Select a practice area to explore relevant courses and subjects

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Business Law and Transactions

Canvass the current issues critical to the day-to-day life of practitioners in this area. Focus on skills necessary for providing legal services, advice, and consultancy on legal issues impacting businesses.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Commercial Litigation

Hone your skills in the complex and challenging world of commercial litigation under the guidance of senior practitioners. Prepare yourself with the tools needed to act in commercial disputes.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Dispute Resolution

Learn how to navigate the resolution of disputes more effectively through mediation and other dispute resolution methods.  Settling disputes can avoid costly litigation and lead to reduced costs and more tailored outcomes for your clients.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Family Dispute Resolution Practice

Assist families in navigating changes to relationships, parenting arrangements and living circumstances by becoming a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner .

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Family Law

Help resolve the legal aspects of family relationship issues including relationship breakdowns, property and parenting arrangements, as well as family violence, abuse and other complex issues affecting children and families

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Government and Public Sector Law

Advance your understanding of government and public sector practices, including contracting, procurement, and policy development, while addressing ethical considerations crucial for serving the public interest.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

In-house Practice

Develop and understand both the power and impact that good governance and compliance can have on an organisation. Learn how to communicate effectively all the way up to the board and its directors.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

International Arbitration

Acquire the skills necessary to help resolve cross-border disputes in an international context. Grow your confidence in drafting arbitration agreements and seeing out the process until a resolution is agreed upon.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Wills and Estates

Provide your clients with expert guidance on will drafting, estate management, litigation strategies, and elder law essentials.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Estate Planning

Equip your clients with comprehensive strategies in estate planning, focusing on financial structuring, tax optimisation, testamentary trusts and succession planning.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

ASEAN+6 Legal Practice

Expand your knowledge of cross-border practice and enhance your career opportunities with our first-of-its-kind subjects. Each is designed to give you in-depth knowledge on how to operate within the ASEAN region.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Property Law

Equip yourself with the ability to analyse and better manage property transactions of all types. This course has a focus on how to address and resolve the more complicated issues likely to be encountered by property law practitioners.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Legal Business Management

Learn the tools and real-world business skills necessary to understand legal operations, legal technology and how to be a more holistic and impactful leader.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Customise your program

Pick the subjects you want based on the practice areas you’d like to focus on. Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master of Laws without a major.

PROGRAM OPTIONS

Double Major

Double down with a double major (completing eight subjects, four from each major subject area) to master two areas of law and stand out as a uniquely qualified legal expert.

OR START WITH A GRADUATE CERTIFICATE

Take control of your career

If you decide later to progress towards a Masters, you’ll receive credit towards that award.

WILLS & ESTATES SUBJECTS

WEP00 - Capstone Project (Wills & Estates)

Intake 2, 4
The Capstone Project is taken as the final subject, as a culmination of the knowledge and skills attained throughout the major. It will allow students to demonstrate their skills in a specialist practice area using real-life scenarios and case studies. Throughout the intake, students will receive individualised feedback from their lecturer and will also have access to a rich array of skills modules that include guides, samples, and practice exercises for honing their legal skills. The highlight of the Capstone Project is the final task, where students will prepare a Final Portfolio that demonstrates their legal writing, research, and oral skills.

TOPICS

THE SUBJECT HAS FOUR COMPONENTS

  1. Four short answer questions
  2. Two legal writing samples
  3. Oral communication (e.g. client interview) assessment held through online conferencing 
  4. Reflective analysis

WEP1 - Foundations of Wills & Estates Practice

Intake 1, 2, 3, 4
This subject provides an introduction to the law and practice of wills for students, whether or not they have studied succession law at law school. It identifies and analyses the nature of succession law and practice, as well as the relevant legal materials. It covers the legislative and case law requirements governing the validity of wills, as well as taking the testator's instructions and assessing testamentary capacity. There is also an introduction to the skill of drafting valid wills and the method of execution.

TOPICS

  • Testamentary contracts, mutual wills and estoppel
  • Ethics, professional responsibility and liability
  • Proof of death and burial
  • Formal requirements and the dispensing power
  • Taking instructions for and drafting wills
  • Essential validity, including testamentary capacity
  • Introduction to family provision
  • Post-execution: alterations, codicils, republication, revocation and revival

WEP2 - Law and Practice of Estates

Intake 2, 4

This subject covers the procedures and principles involved in the administration of estates. It identifies and enables students to apply the legislative provisions relating to testate and intestate estates. It covers the procedural steps for obtaining uncontested grants of probate and letters of administration, including taking client instructions and providing appropriate advice to the client. Students draft applications for grants of probate and letters of administration, as well as administer assets and wind up the estate.

On satisfactory completion of this subject students will understand fundamental theories and practices involved in administration of estates practice, and have an understanding of how to apply this knowledge in professional practice. Students will be able to use and explain this knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Using practice-based analytical and critical thinking skills, students will be able to apply this knowledge to problem-solving and decision-making in practice.

TOPICS

  • Framework for estate administration applications
  • Intestacy
  • Administration without a grant, small estates and obtaining instructions for estate administration
  • Applying for grants of probate and letters of administration and for resealing
  • Asset collection, payment of debts and distribution
  • Duties and liabilities of legal personal representatives and rights of beneficiaries
  • Taxation matters, accounts and commission
  • Costing estate matters and managing a wills and estates practice

WEP3 - Construing and Drafting Wills

Intake 1, 3
This subject is designed to enable students to identify, analyse and apply the principles and rules relating to the construction of wills, especially as they relate to potentially contested estates. It enables students to construe and advise clients on complex issues arising from wills, as well as to further enhance their skills in drafting more challenging wills provisions. On satisfactory completion of this subject, students will understand fundamental theories and practices relating to the construction of wills, and have an understanding of how to apply this knowledge in professional practice. Students will be able to use and explain this knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Using practice-based analytical and critical thinking skills, students will be able to apply this knowledge to problem-solving and decision-making in practice.

TOPICS

  • The court of construction and construction suits
  • General principles of construction and construing gifts
  • Specific rules of construction
  • Admissibility of evidence in the construction of a will Issues in advising on estate planning
  • Drafting issues - blended families
  • Drafting issues – testamentary trusts and vulnerable beneficiaries
  • Lapse of gifts and equitable ademption, satisfaction and election

WEP4 - Family Provision

Intake 2, 4
This subject deals with the Family Provision legislation which is by far the most common litigation concerning deceased estates. This subject is relevant to estate planning and estate administration, where the risk of a claim needs to be considered, as well as to litigation itself. Advice, commencement and defence of proceedings, procedure, mediation and evidence will be considered.

TOPICS

  • The family provision framework
  • Approach of the court to different categories of applicant
  • Commencement of proceedings
  • Evidence
  • Types of orders
  • Other issues impacting family provision
  • Mediation and settlement of proceedings, release of rights and compromises
  • After mediation: further evidence and the conduct of the hearing

WEP5 - Contested Probate and Other Court Applications

Intake 1, 3
This subject enables students to understand and apply the principles in relation to a range of issues which arise in contested and special grants. It covers the procedures and evidence required for a grant in solemn form, interim and limited grants, revocation of grants, informal and lost wills and assessment of testamentary capacity. It also deals with costs and estate accounts and commission.

TOPICS

  • Caveats Solemn form and common form grants; revocation of a grant
  • Applications to impugn the essential validity of a will Interim and limited grants - substantive law and procedure and drafting considerations
  • Lost wills
  • Informal wills
  • Statutory will applications - substantive law and procedure and preparation
  • Costs, commission and passing of accounts

WEP6 - Advanced Issues in Wills and Estates

Intake 2, 4
This subject focuses on a series of advanced issues in wills and estates practice and administration, which are less often encountered in practice. It also provides students with the opportunity to provide client advice on these issues.

TOPICS

  • Understanding testamentary succession
  • Testamentary contracts, estoppel and will making
  • Testamentary trusts
  • Particular types of gifts and beneficiaries Insolvent estates
  • The forfeiture rule
  • Delegation of testamentary power
  • Wills and estates under foreign law

WEP7 - Elder Law

Intake 3
Elder law is a unique area of practice and is growing in significance with the ageing of Australia's population. It encompasses a wide range of legal issues which are relevant to an older person from accommodation to social security. This subject introduces students to the legal issues which may arise when advising older people and their carers. It also enables students to develop their skills in researching the benefits available to support the elderly.

TOPICS

  • Introduction to the regulatory framework, delegation and capacity
  • Mandatory substitute decision-making
  • Financial elder abuse
  • Accommodation: Staying at home – carers and assistance Accommodation:
  • Staying with the family – granny flats
  • Accommodation: Moving out – retirement villages and manufactured home parks
  • Permanent residential aged care
  • Discrimination and liability

START DATES

Nov Intake 4 Feb Intake 1 May Intake 2
START DATE 11 Nov 2024 10 Feb 2025 12 May 2025
CENSUS 04 Dec 2024 26 Feb 2025 28 May 2025
END DATE 07 Feb 2025 02 May 2025 02 Aug 2025
Subject Start Date Census End Date Workshop Date
DRP3 - Advocacy 21 Sep 2025 30 Sep 2024 30 Oct 2025
DRP4 - Mediation 05 Oct 2025 01 Jan 0001 13 Nov 2024
EPP2 - Superannuation 01 Jul 2024 10 Jul 2024 09 Aug 2024
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 10 Feb 2025 17 Feb 2025 21 Mar 2025

3 - 5 March 2025 NSW & VIC
6 - 8 March 2025 QLD & WA

FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution 24 Mar 2025 01 Jan 0001 20 Apr 2025

10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC 
14 - 16 April 2025 QLD & WA

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 04 Nov 2024 13 Nov 2024 13 Dec 2024

25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 
28-30 Nov 2024 QLD & WA

26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC
29 - 31 May 2025 QLD & WA

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 05 May 2025 01 Jan 0001 13 Jun 2025

25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 
28-30 Nov 2024 QLD & WA

26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC
29 - 31 May 2025 QLD & WA

FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 27 Jan 2025 05 Feb 2025 07 Mar 2025

20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 
17-19 Feb 2025 QLD & WA

10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC
7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 

FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 16 Jun 2025 01 Jan 0001 25 Jul 2025

20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 
17-19 Feb 2025 QLD & WA

10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC
7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 

FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 07 Apr 2025 01 Jan 0001 30 May 2025

Day 1 – 24 April 2025
Days 2 to 4:  29 April - 1 May 2025

LB3 - Business Strategy: Planning for Success 05 May 2025 01 Jan 0001 13 Jun 2025
Subject Start Date Census End Date Workshop Date
FDR1 - Family Law and Mediation 10 Feb 2025 17 Feb 2025 21 Mar 2025

3 - 5 March 2025 NSW & VIC
6 - 8 March 2025 QLD & WA

FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution 24 Mar 2025 31 Mar 2025 02 May 2025

10 - 12 April 2025 NSW & VIC 
14 - 16 April 2025 QLD & WA

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 04 Nov 2024 13 Nov 2024 13 Dec 2024

25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 
28-30 Nov 2024 QLD & WA

26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC
29 - 31 May 2025 QLD & WA

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 05 May 2025 12 May 2025 13 Jun 2025

25-27 Nov 2024 NSW & VIC 
28-30 Nov 2024 QLD & WA

26 - 28 May 2025 NSW & VIC
29 - 31 May 2025 QLD & WA

FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 27 Jan 2025 05 Feb 2025 07 Mar 2025

20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 
17-19 Feb 2025 QLD & WA

10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC
7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 

FDR4 - Case Management in Family Dispute Resolution Capstone 16 Jun 2025 24 Jul 2025 25 Jul 2025

20-22 Feb 2025 NSW & VIC 
17-19 Feb 2025 QLD & WA

10 - 12 July 2025 NSW & VIC
7 - 9 July 2025 QLD & WA 

FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 09 Sep 2024 19 Sep 2024 01 Nov 2024

Day 1 – 24 April 2025
Days 2 to 4:  29 April - 1 May 2025

FDR5 - Virtual Simulated Practice 07 Apr 2025 16 Apr 2025 30 May 2025

Day 1 – 24 April 2025
Days 2 to 4:  29 April - 1 May 2025

TEACHING STAFF

Adeline Schiralli

Consulting Principal
Keypoint Law

Fiona Fagan

Adjunct Lecturer
College of Law

Katelin Whitley

Principal
Bestic Law

Kevin Finn

Consulting Principal
Keypoint Law

Marie Brownell

Director, Estate Planning and Administration
NSW Trustee and Guardian

Max Williams

Special Counsel
de Groots Wills and Estate Lawyers

Natalie Silvester

Legal Practitioner Director
Legally Gifted

Rachael Hocking

Principal Solicitor
KHQ

Renee Bennett

Partner
Wilson Ryan Grose

Stephen Janes

Barrister
Seventh Floor Windeyer Chambers

Tamara Goodwin

Legal Practitioner Director
Glass Goodwin

Latest

HELP FULFIL LAST WISHES

HAVE QUESTIONS OR READY TO ENROL?

Book a call back with one of our Customer and Student Engagement Advisors

I gained a real insight into the mechanics of wills and estates practice in my first masters.

Chloe Kopilovic, LLM Graduate - Wills and Estates

I graduated six months ago, and since then I've actively sought to implement what I've learned into my day-to-day practice.

Krystal Bellamy, LLM Graduate - Wills and Estates

I’ll never forget what I learned during my education, and the partners who have helped shape the lawyer I am today.

Lav Chhabra, LLM Graduate - Wills and Estates

DISCOVER MORE

Scholarships

If you’re experiencing financial hardship and unable to afford postgraduate study, see if you are eligible for the The Kay Smith Scholarship. This scholarship honours one of the longest serving and most respected people of The College of Law. It is designed to support the education aspirations of outstanding law graduates and young lawyers.

Guide download

Inside the course guide, you will find information on: how this practical program will equip you with the skills and tools you will need, who the course is for, course format, topics and assessment structure, course presenters, workshop dates, prices and how to enrol.

Student success stories

Read how Craig’s postgraduate study accelerated his career by a decade and enabled him to become a specialist and eventually started his own firm.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This depends on your workload and your personal situation. If you complete one subject every intake, you could complete your Masters in two years. However, you have five years to complete the course from your intake commencement date.

You can do any of the following without financial penalty any time before the published census date for each intake:

  • Withdraw completely
  • Change the subject or course you are enrolled in
  • Defer it to a subsequent intake (must be within the next 12 months)

As you have five years to complete your Masters, you don’t need to complete a subject every intake. However, if you do not study for two consecutive intakes – then you can apply for a Leave of Absence.

You can only request a leave of absence twice over the course of your studies.

We recommend that you set aside 10-12 hours a week on study per subject, one unit per semester.

Completing two subjects in the same intake may require up to 25 hours of study and readings each week.

There are four intakes a year, February, May, August and November.

You may be entitled to claim your full 10 units per subject for your CPD requirements.

However, you may still need to complete some mandatory CPD units. Please check with your local law society for the requirements in your state or territory.

WA based students may claim up to six units per subject (six CPD units for an intensive subject that has a compulsory workshop requirement or four CPD units for any other subject).

College will lodge the CPD points with the Legal Practice Board on successful completion of the subject(s).

The College’s Credit for Prior Learning Policy encourages practitioners who have completed previous postgraduate and other recognised study to apply for credit towards either the LLM (Applied Law) or the Master of Applied Law (Family Law).

A maximum of three subject credits may be granted towards the Masters awards.

  • If you have undertaken a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice with The College of Law within the last ten years, you may apply to receive up to two elective subjects of unspecified credit
  • If you have undertaken a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice with another provider within the last ten years, you may apply to receive one elective subject of unspecified credit
  • If you have undertaken other postgraduate study, such as an LLM or Graduate Diploma of Law, whether you have completed the award or not, you may be eligible to receive credit for that study
  • Accredited Specialists may qualify for exemption of the foundations subject and Capstone Project for their area of major
  • Applicants who have completed a Legal Practice Management Course within the last 5 years at The College of Law in may receive one subject specified credit

Yes. Many Master of Laws (Applied Law) students choose electives from our Legal Business Management course. Please contact us to learn how.

No. To become a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, you will need to:

Many students choose to pursue an LLM with a double major in Family Law and FDRP.

 

For 2025, each subject in our postgraduate programmes costs $4,150, with no GST applicable. Please note that our fees are subject to annual review and may change during your enrolment.

Full payment is required at the time of enrolment each semester, and we accept various payment methods including cheque, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), and credit card.

Additionally, if you are an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, or hold a permanent humanitarian visa, you may be eligible to defer your payment through the Australian Government's StudyAssist FEE-HELP scheme.

Yes, if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible to receive FEE-HELP. For more information, visit the Australian Government Study Assist website or download the Study Assist FEE-HELP information sheet.

Please note that StudyAssist FEE-HELP is not available for single subject enrolment.

Yes, you can, but Study Assist FEE-HELP will not apply.

Yes. If you are from a non-English speaking country or your previous studies were in a language other than English, you will need to demonstrate your English skills in accordance with the IELTS standard before starting the program. The requisite IELTS standard is at level 8 (writing), 7 (listening), 7.5 (speaking), 7 (reading), and 7.5 overall.

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign up to keep up to date with latest news, programs, events and career tips.

We use cookies to compile information about how our website is used and to improve the experience of our website visitors. For more information about the cookies we use, please read our Cookies and Electronic Marketing Policy. To adjust your cookie settings, click 'More information'. By clicking 'Accept and continue', you consent to our use of cookies.
College of Law recommends the use of all cookies to provide you with the optimal experience while visiting our website. Choose below to accept the recommended settings or continue to adjust your individual preferences.

Adjust your settings

We use three kinds of cookies on our websites: required, functional, and advertising. You can choose to opt out of functional and advertising cookies. Click on the different cookie categories to find out more about each category and to change the default settings.
Required cookies are necessary for basic website functionality. Some examples include: session cookies needed to transmit the website, authentication cookies, and security cookies.
Functional cookies enhance functions, performance, and services on the website. Some examples include: cookies used to analyze site traffic, cookies used for market research, and cookies used to display advertising that is not directed to a particular individual.
Advertising cookies track activity across websites in order to understand a viewer's interests, and direct them specific marketing. Some examples include: cookies used for remarketing, or interest-based advertising.