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GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF APPLIED LAW (GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR LAW)

  • 4 subjects
  • $3,950 per subject
  • FEE-HELP eligible
  • 1 year part-time
  • 4 intakes per year: Feb, May, Aug, Nov

SHAPE PUBLIC POLICY AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS TO SERVE PUBLIC INTEREST

Government and public sector lawyers are crucial to the functioning of good government. Responsibilities range from dealing with the parliamentary process and statutory interpretation to drafting policy and statutory provisions. In these roles, you may encounter ethical or constitutional issues, which you will learn to identify and address to serve the greater public interest.

The Graduate Diploma of Applied Law (Government and Public Sector Law) provides the flexibility to balance work and life while learning the legal principles of government and public sector operations, including statutory interpretation, contracting, procurement and public sector records management. You'll also develop privacy, information management, and governance skills, preparing you to navigate legal and ethical issues in government and public sector.

To complete this award, you must choose:

  • 4 core subjects (GOV1, GOV2, GOV3, GOV4)

 

Plan your studies

Looking to plan your postgraduate program?

  1. Use the tool below to explore subjects by practice area and intake date.
  2. Prefer to review offline? Download the full PDF for a complete overview of all your options.

HOW TO ENROL

Follow these steps to complete your enrolment in a postgraduate program.

  1. Choose your first subject
    We recommend enrolling in one subject per intake. Enrolling in two subjects may require up to 25 hours of study per week.

  2. Gather your documents - You'll need your documents to upload when completing the online enrolment form
    • Academic Records
      You’ll need to submit one of the following:
        • Official academic transcript (LLB, JD, Dip Law)
        • Graduation certificate
        • Admission certificate
        • Current practising certificate
    • Recognition of prior learning (if applicable)
      Submit any relevant postgraduate certificates or qualifications if applying for RPL.

    • Proof of name change (if applicable)
      If your name has changed, provide certified proof.

    • Unique student identifier (USI)
      A USI is required by the Australian Government for all students (except offshore international students). Create or find your USI here.

  3. Payment or financial assistance
    Have your payment details or tax file number (TFN) ready if applying for FEE-HELP through the Commonwealth Government FEE-HELP scheme.

  4. Submit your enrolment
    Once ready, complete and submit your online enrolment.

Need help?
For assistance, contact Customer and Student Engagement at 1300 506 402 or email postgrad@collaw.edu.au

RE-ENROLMENTS

Re-enrolling for your next subject is simple!

Once you've enrolled in your chosen Award program, re-enrolling for the next subject is easy. Simply follow these steps:

  1. Choose your next subject.
  2. Log in to the customer portal.
  3. Complete the re-enrolment form and select your payment option.

FEES

Here’s what you need to know:

  • The fee per subject in 2024 is $3,950 (no GST applies)
  • The fee per subject in 2025 is $4,150 (no GST applies)
  • Our fees are reviewed annually and may vary during your enrolment
  • You need to pay your fees in full at the time of enrolment each semester.
  • We accept cheque, EFT and credit card.
  • Study Assist FEE HELP - If you’re an Australian citizen, NZ citizen or you hold a permanent humanitarian visa, you may be able to defer payment through the Australian Government StudyAssist FEE-HELP scheme.

Good news! There’s no need to pay for your entire qualification upfront. Instead, you can pay as you learn – subject by subject. Which means, you can start off small by building your own Graduate Certificate, or Graduate Diploma, and then progress to a Master of Laws later, if you choose.

Please refer to our Policy Index - 1.3.11 Withdrawal policy.

 

Kay Smith Scholarship

The Kay Smith 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. Learn more.

PREREQUISITES

You must hold a recognised law degree (LLB, JD, or equivalent) to enrol in a Postgraduate Program.

ASSESSMENTS

Your assessments may vary from course to course. However, these are the most common assessments that you will need to complete:

  • Oral Assessments
  • Written Assessments
  • Short writing activities
  • Reflection activities

For all student policies refer to our policy index.

GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR LAW SUBJECTS

GOV00 - Capstone Project (Government and Public Sector Law)

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

GOV1 - Foundations of Government and Public Sector Law

Intake 1, 3
The role of government/public sector lawyers is unique. In order to provide legal services in a government/public sector setting, students will need to be familiar with the application of particular laws in a given context and to be aware of, understand and factor in, a whole overlay of government/public sector issues. Whether students are dealing with a purely “administrative law” issue, or an issue relating to government/public sector service delivery, or a commercial, or quasi-commercial, transaction involving a government/public sector agency, there will almost always be some unique government/public sector-related issues that will require their consideration, advice and action. The purpose of this subject is to ensure that students are able, in any given situation, to identify relevant government/public sector issues and that they are able to deal with them or, where necessary, refer them to the appropriate specialists. The subject focuses on the practical operation of government/public sector law rather than the particular laws which might apply in a particular context.

TOPICS

  • The role and professional responsibilities of government/public sector lawyers
  • Distinguishing between policy development and legal advice
  • Dealing with parliamentary process and statutory interpretation
  • Drafting issues for the government/public sector lawyer
  • Public access to information held by government/public sector agencies
  • Managing public sector records
  • Understanding administrative law and accountability
  • Understanding contracts, procurement and financial accountability

GOV2 - Privacy and Information Management

Intake 1, 2, 4
This subject focuses on privacy and information management issues that arise in government legal professional practice. The subject takes a holistic approach to the topics of privacy, confidentiality and freedom of information within the context of national (Commonwealth and state/territorial jurisdictions) and international contexts. The subject includes critical exploration of current and emergent issues in privacy and information law and practice, including media, social media, big data, open data and cloud data management.

TOPICS

  • Introduction to privacy
  • The legislative regime
  • Guidelines and enforcement/sanction issues
  • Confidentiality
  • Public access to information held by government/public sector agencies
  • Security of personal information, breaches and stakeholders
  • Inter-jurisdictional and data sharing considerations

GOV3 - Legislation and its Interpretation

Intake 3
The ability to find relevant legislation and interpret it is an essential skill for every lawyer. This practice-based subject advances on the key knowledge and skill required when interpreting and drafting statutory provisions.

TOPICS

  • Introduction to statutes
  • Statutes fundamentals
  • Commencement and enforceability
  • Impact of legislation
  • Validity
  • Rules of statutory interpretation
  • Strategic application of statutory interpretation rules

GOV4 - Contracting, Procurement and Probity

Intake 2
This practice-based subject advances on the foundational knowledge about government and public sector by focusing on the areas of contracting, procurement and probity. The subject will cover power of contract and the role of the lawyer, procurement, tendering and contracting processes, types of contracts, award and management of contracts, probity and accountability, and relevant complaints and litigation processes.

TOPICS

  • Identity of government
  • Procurement
  • The tendering and contract process
  • Types of contracts
  • Award and management of contracts
  • Probity and accountability
  • Procurement and bid challenges

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 04 Nov 2024 13 Nov 2024 13 Dec 2024
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 25 Mar 2024 03 Apr 2024 03 May 2024

17-19 Oct 2024 NSW & VIC
14-16 Oct 2024 QLD & WA  

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

FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution 23 Sep 2024 02 Oct 2024 01 Nov 2024

17-19 Oct 2024 NSW & VIC
14-16 Oct 2024 QLD & WA  

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

FDR2 - Children’s Matters, Family Law and Family Dispute Resolution 23 Sep 2024 02 Oct 2024 01 Nov 2024

17-19 Oct 2024 NSW & VIC
14-16 Oct 2024 QLD & WA  

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

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

17-19 Oct 2024 NSW & VIC
14-16 Oct 2024 QLD & WA  

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

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

17-19 Oct 2024 NSW & VIC
14-16 Oct 2024 QLD & WA  

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

FDR3 - Advanced Family Dispute Resolution 06 May 2024 15 May 2024 14 Jun 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 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 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

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 29 Jan 2024 07 Feb 2024 08 Mar 2024

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 17 Jun 2024 26 Jun 2024 26 Jul 2024

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 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 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 23 Jun 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 

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 08 Apr 2024 18 Apr 2024 31 May 2024

 

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

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 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 17 Apr 2025 30 May 2025

 

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

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

I regularly apply the practical skills learnt through the course in my day-to-day practice. There’s no doubt I will continue to do so in the future.

Kirsh Nath, LLM Graduate - Commercial Litigation

I think my favourite thing about the study that I've done at the College of Law is the different experiences of all the lecturers, and tutors. Their practical experience that they were able to give us in terms of the content and was always so helpful and insightful. 

Jessica Popple, LLM Graduate - Family Law

INVEST IN YOUR WHERE'S NEXT

PURSUE YOUR PASSION - ADVANCE YOUR EXPERTISE

4
core Government and Public Sector subjects
4
Intakes per year: Feb, May, Aug and Nov
93 %
of alumni recommend our Postgraduate Programs

Discover more

Kay Smith Scholarship

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.

Got questions or want to enrol?

If you have any questions about subjects, awards, intake dates, or anything else related to our postgraduate programs, don't hesitate to reach out. Book a call with one of our Student and Customer Engagement Advisors who are ready to assist you.

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 1 subject every intake you could complete your Graduate Certificate in 6 months.

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)

We recommend that you set aside 10-12 hours a week on study per subject, 1 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 6 units per subject (6 CPD units for an intensive subject that has a compulsory workshop requirement or 4 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), not towards a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma awards.

Yes. Many LLM 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:

  1. Complete the Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Practice (FRDP)
  2. Seek accreditation with the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department

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

For 2024, each subject in our postgraduate programmes costs $3,950, with no GST applicable. 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 Australan Government StudyAssist FEE-HELP. For more information, download the FEE-HELP Factsheet.

Yes, you can, but Australian Government StudyAssist 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.

The Kay Smith Scholarship is designed to assist law graduates and young lawyers in Australia and New Zealand facing financial or personal hardships by covering the costs of a Master of Laws (Applied Law) or a Practical Legal Training course at The College of Law. It honours Kay Smith’s significant contributions to the college. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic commitment, and community impact. Applications are due annually by December 15. Learn more.

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