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MASTER OF LAWS (APPLIED LAW) MAJORING IN BUSINESS LAW AND TRANSACTIONS

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

WANT TO BE THE GO-TO EXPERT FOR BUSINESSES WHEN LEGAL ISSUES ARISE?

A career in business law and transactions is a rewarding choice. You will oversee both transactional and non-transactional matters – providing expertise on the multitude of issues that a business can face. This is an intellectually challenging practice area that presents new opportunities every day.

The Business Law and Transactions major canvasses the current issues critical to the day-to-day life of practitioners in this area. Core understanding of the issues arising in transactional and non-transactional matters is developed focusing on the skills necessary for providing legal services, advice and consultancy on legal issues that impact businesses.

Undertaking a Masters empowers you to reach your fullest potential, whether it's becoming a leading expert in your current field or credibly shifting your career into a new area of practice.

To complete this award, you must choose:

  • 3 BLP subjects
  • 4 elective subjects OR a second major
  • Capstone Project in Business Law and Transactions

 

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.

BUSINESS LAW & TRANSACTIONS SUBJECTS

BLP00 - Capstone Project (Business 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

BLP1 - Foundations of Business Law Practice

Intake 1, 3
This subject aims to advance on the foundational knowledge towards a specialised and integrated understanding about Business Law Practice. Students will examine different types of business structures and agreements, consider specific issues that arise in business law practice, and conclude with a consideration of emerging issues.

TOPICS

  • Business structures and agreements for business structures
  • Operational issues and taxation
  • Insolvency and bankruptcy 
  • Financing business structures 
  • Intellectual property
  • Emerging issues in Business law practice

BLP2 - Competition and Consumer Law

Intake 1
The ability to understand the key concepts of competition and consumer law is one of the key skill sets required of a commercial lawyer, whether this is from the perspective of the consumer seeking redress or that of the business facing a consumer claim. This subject will consider and apply key concepts for determining courses of action in competition and consumer law matters.

TOPICS

  • Misleading and deceptive conduct
  • Passing off
  • Unconscionable conduct
  • Unfair contract terms
  • Unfair sales techniques
  • Consumer guarantees for goods and services and product safety
  • Remedies

BLP3 - Buying and Selling a Business

Intake 3
This subject focuses on the acquisition of a business by way of acquisition of either the assets of the business or the shares of the business. The acquisition is considered from the perspective of both the buyer and seller. A business acquisition covers a broad spectrum of transactions. The transaction could be as simple as the acquisition of one single business asset, such as its single parcel of freehold real estate or one piece of its plant and equipment, or it could encompass every identifiable asset of the business to allow the business to be operated as a going concern once the shares or units of the legal entity are bought. This subject considers transactions of all sizes and analyses both complex acquisitions and smaller acquisitions.

TOPICS

  • Determining the investment vehicle
  • Preliminary agreements
  • Due diligence
  • Transaction documents
  • Negotiating the deal
  • Matters to consider
  • Drafting the transaction documents
  • Legal opinions and completion

BLP4 - Employment Law

Intake 2, 4
Employment law is one of those legal subjects that is useful even if those students who do not eventually end up practising in the area. Everyone is likely going to be employed, employ others or manage others in the course of their professional lives. Increasingly, the personal exposure for those involved in the employment relationship means employers are looking for ways to prevent legal breaches and minimise liability, including looking at how their employees interact with others. This subject takes a high-level view of the critical concepts in employment law and examines common scenarios.

TOPICS

  • Employment vs other relationships
  • Employment contracts
  • Duties of employers and employees
  • Liability for employee actions
  • Employment entitlements
  • Management of employees
  • Termination of employment
  • Employment litigation

BLP5 - Business Risk Management

Intake 1
This subject will consider the key concepts in risk management, and apply these concepts to analyse and manage common risks that the client may face. Specifically the subject will identify and explore the key concepts that structure and frame risk management, explain practical approaches to applying the key concepts and enable students to apply specific techniques and practices so they can implement appropriate risk management strategies in their work.

TOPICS

  • Introduction to business risk management
  • Compliance
  • Contracts
  • Work health and safety
  • Information technology risk exposure
  •  Asset protection
  • Intellectual property rights Insurance as a tool

BLP6 - Drafting Commercial Documents

Intake 2
The ability to draft effective, readable, unambiguous contracts is an essential skill for every commercial lawyer. This subject advances on the key knowledge and skill required when negotiating and drafting commercial contracts.

TOPICS

  • Contract principles
  • Interpretation of contractual terms
  • Drafting elements
  • Specific contractual situations
  • Drafting and negotiating damages and indemnity clauses
  • Drafting preliminary agreements
  • Termination
  • Contract negotiation skills

BLP7 - Business Structures and Taxation

Intake 4
In commercial transactions, the ability to critically assess the range of structuring alternatives and advise on the most appropriate option for the client is essential. Business structures include individual sole traders, partnerships, sole director, sole shareholder companies, companies with multiple directors and employees and large public companies. A critically important aspect of structuring a deal is to consider the tax consequences of the structure. This subject will consider the taxation issues surrounding the different business structures and what a transactional lawyer needs to look out for. This subject is not designed to make students tax experts but instead to build their knowledge of the system, how they affect their clients and when to seek expert financial advice.

TOPICS

  • Tax basics
  • Capital gains tax
  • Taxation of partnerships
  • Taxation of companies
  • Taxation of trusts
  • State and territory taxes
  • Revenue authorities and disputes
  • Tax considerations in business arrangements

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 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

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

INVEST IN YOUR WHERE'S NEXT

PURSUE YOUR PASSION - ADVANCE YOUR EXPERTISE

8
Business Law subjects including the capstone
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 Masters in 2 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)

Learn more by reading our Policy Index.

As you have 5 years to complete your Masters, you don’t need to complete a subject every intake. However, if you do not study for 2 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, 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).

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 at The College of Law in may receive one subject specified credit.

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 Commonwealth Government's FEE-HELP scheme.

Yes, if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident you may be eligible to receive FEE-HELP. For more information, download the FEE-Help Factsheet.

Yes, you can, but 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. For more details, you can click here

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