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By studying the Associate Degree in Legal Practice (Paralegal), you will develop specialised legal knowledge and high level, analytical and practical legal skills. Graduates of this associate degree are highly sought after within the legal industry.
You will learn from highly passionate, supportive and experienced legal practitioners, and participate in a range of exciting special events, including:
As a student this associate degree you can join the RMIT Law Students Society, giving you more opportunities to become an integral part of our student community.
Studying the Associate Degree in Legal Practice (Paralegal) in Melbourne is a proactive way to enhance your legal career prospects, whether you are looking for pathways into further study or an immediate start in the world of work.
According to leading law firms, graduates from RMIT’s Legal Practice qualifications are employers’ number one choice in paralegals.
Learn from passionate, supportive and experienced legal practitioners, using innovative learning and teaching approaches.
You will undertake an academic experience that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
You will graduate with the capacity to enter the legal industry, as well as undertake specialised roles in other sectors.
Please note: this course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you are holding a temporary visa (other than a student visa) and your visa has a full study entitlement, you may be eligible to apply. For more information, see the international students with other temporary (non-student) visas.
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations, group discussions and syndicate work.
Through RMIT University’s online learning portal, you will be able to view online resources and learning activities created by lecturers, access course materials, collaborate with lecturers and fellow students, and access your student email account.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, oral classes, presentations, Throughout your study in the Associate Degree in Legal Practice (Paralegal) you will receive feedback from your supervisor and others when you undertake professional work and tasks while in employment.
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
The Associate Degree in Legal Practice requires you to undertake tasks such as simulated case studies, work relevant role plays, work placement and attend guest lectures from legal industry professionals.
You may choose to participate in an optional work placement in your final year. The Business internship elective (12 credit points) involves taking up a position in industry for one or two days per week for one semester. These positions are normally unpaid and are designed to develop your soft skills and increase your overall employability into a legal career upon graduation. The placement must be self-sourced.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this associate degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.
The Associate Degree in Legal Practice (Paralegal) consists of 16 subjects, including specialist subjects in law, legal practice and conveyancing, and an elective.
The prescribed specialist subjects and overall course design is focused on meeting contemporary legal practice requirements and the requirements of specific job roles, such as paralegal, in support of your legal career.
By studying the following subjects, graduates of the Associate Degree in Legal Practice will gain underpinning knowledge to support lawyers in practice, and effectively perform the diverse range of tasks required of paralegals.
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
The Associate Degree in Legal Practice (Paralegal) is designed to provide an entry opportunity into a wide range of legal careers. It will also further develop the skills of those already employed in the legal industry.
Paralegals are employed in organisations such as law firms, conveyancing firms, community agencies and government departments including the Department of Justice, Court Administration, the Victorian Government Solicitor, Public Prosecutors, Victorian Legal Aid and community legal centres.
Paralegals are also employed in commercial organisations and corporations in the banking, insurance and property sectors. They may also have specialised roles in legal fields like litigation, probate administration, criminal law, property and land law, family law, corporate and commercial law.
The lowest selection rank plus any adjustment factors to receive an offer for semester 1 2023 for each stream are as follows:
Plan/package detail |
ATAR* |
---|---|
Associate Degree in Legal Practice (Paralegal) | 41.75 |
Guaranteed Pathway package AD015PATH1 Legal Practice (Paralegal) (Associate Degree)/Legal and Dispute Studies (Degree) |
44.15 |
You must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent qualification).
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4:
Entry to this program is competitive. Eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement plus any adjustment factors.
You may be eligible to receive adjustment factors which include equity access schemes and/or subject adjustments to a maximum of 28 aggregate adjustment points. For more information about what adjustment factors RMIT considers visit Admission to RMIT.
We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. The highest level of education you have previously completed will usually determine how you are ranked.
Please select the highest level of education you have or will be completing in order to find out the selection criteria that applies to you, in addition to meeting the above entry requirements.
Entry to this program is competitive. Eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement. You will be ranked on your ATAR plus any adjustment factors.
Entry to this program is competitive.
Successful completion of an approved pathway qualification guarantees entry into this qualification.
Otherwise applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., level of TAFE qualification completed (including any adjustment factors).
We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. The highest level of education you have previously completed will usually determine how you are ranked.
You will be assigned a selection rank (comparable to an ATAR) based on your highest completed qualification:
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. Your overall score will be converted to an equivalent ATAR and competitively ranked for selection.
Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of your study.
If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with vocational education and training study, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., GPA (including any adjustment factors).
We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. Previous fail grades in similar courses may affect your eligibility.
Successful completion of at least two courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level (or equivalent) will meet the minimum entry requirements for this course.
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. Your overall score will be converted to an equivalent ATAR and competitively ranked for selection.
Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of your study.
If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with higher education study, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) score (including any adjustment factors).
You must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent qualification) and meet the stated prerequisites.
Work and life experience does not provide any additional consideration for entry to this program. You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. Your overall score will be converted to an equivalent ATAR and competitively ranked for selection.
Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of your study.
If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with work and life experience, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.
View the ATAR profile and selection rank from students offered a place into this program wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in the most relevant recent intake period.
The student profile provides insight into the likely peer group for this program.
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent Year 12 applicants.
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options. Find out more about admission to RMIT.
Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred course. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.
Successful completion of one of the following RMIT Pathway Options guarantees entry into this qualification.
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Successful completion of RMIT's Associate Degree in Legal Practice (Paralegal) will guarantee entry into:
Successful completion of RMIT's Associate Degree in Legal Practice (Paralegal) may provide entry into the Bachelor of Law with 12 credit points of exemptions.
Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g. GPA (including any adjustment factors).
For more information, explore our Pathway finder, or contact Study@RMIT.
In 2024, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$4,445 to AU$16,323*.
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
From 2022, there are new government rules about eligibility for higher education student funding as part of the Australian Government’s Job-ready Graduates legislation. If you're starting a program in or after 2022 and are enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or have a HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP loan, these changes affect you. For details, please see Low completion rate and government funding.
If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.
Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package.
The fees in the table below apply to students who commence their program in 2024. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2024 |
---|---|
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture | $4,445 per standard year $555 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology | $8,948 per standard year $1,118 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science | $12,720 per standard year $1,590 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture | $16,323 per standard year $2,040 per standard (12 credit point) course |
On 1 January 2022, the Government implemented the Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).
For more information about SLE, visit Study Assist.
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2024 is $351.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
The annual tuition fee for 2022 is AU$XX,XXX.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$XX,XXX.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.
Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.