Advanced Diploma of Legal Practice
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 2 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Entry score
Not applicable
Duration
Not applicable Location
Not applicable
Overview
Why choose to study Legal Practice at RMIT? It‘s an open and shut case!
Graduates from RMIT’s Legal Practice programs are the employers’ number one choice in paralegals according to leading law firms.
You will learn from our highly passionate, supportive and experienced legal practitioners, and participate in a range of exciting and unique activities including:
- the RMIT Legal Practice firm (simulated legal office)
- guest speakers from the legal profession
- moot court performances
- practical placement in law firms or other legal agencies
- working with community legal services
- engaging in a range of legal practice events that connect you with industry
As a student in our Legal Practice program you can join the RMIT Law Students Society giving you more opportunities to participate in our vibrant student community.
The evidence is clear: studying legal practice at RMIT will enhance your career prospects, whether it’s further study or an immediate start in the world of work.
We rest our case!
Details
Most of your classes will be held in RMIT's Swanston Academic Building which features innovative learning spaces interspersed with retail and social spaces resulting in a stimulating environment for students.
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, workshops, presentations and group discussions. Classes are interactive and give you the opportunity to discuss ideas and practise new skills.
Through RMIT University’s online learning portal, myRMIT, you will be able to view online resources and learning activities created by lecturers, access course materials via Blackboard, collaborate with lecturers and fellow students, and access your student email account. Educational software, the Learning Hub, resources and printers are accessible on campus via the RMIT wireless network using your own laptop, tablet or smart phone or via computer facilities on-campus. You will be able to access the same software from home using myDesktop.
Find out more about student computing at RMIT.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, oral presentations, group projects and practical assignments.
The final year includes a two-week practical placement within a law firm, court registry, government department or other organisation in the legal industry.
In addition, you will be required to demonstrate the specialist legal and administrative skills you have developed throughout the program in the course Practise in a Legal Environment.
Legal practitioners are regularly invited to speak to students on current legal issues.
Guiding the development of the College of Business, both nationally and internationally, is an Industry Advisory Board of high-profile executives chaired by Gerhard Vorster, Chief Strategy Officer, Deloitte. The Board creates a strategic bridge between the latest in technology and design thinking and business.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
Compulsory courses
You will gain a firm understanding of the Australian legal system by undertaking 12 compulsory courses examining key areas of law including:
- Business Law
- Criminal Law
- Commercial Law
- Corporations Law
- Family Law
- Law of Contract
- Law of Torts
- Legal Process
- Property Law
- Conveyancing
- Wills, Probate and Administration.
You will also study court procedures and practices, alternative dispute resolution, civil procedure, administrative law, the law of evidence, managing trust accounts, and learn administrative and research skills required for the legal sector.
In the course Practise in a Legal Environment, you'll learn how to open client files, take instructions and give relevant information to clients, prepare legal documentation, and to apply legal ethics.
Elective courses
In addition to compulsory courses you will complete electives selected from legal, business and technology courses.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Diploma of Legal Practice | City Campus |
2 years full time study
|
2 years full time
|
C6141 |
Choose a program structure
Program code: C6141
National curriculum code: 22276VIC
Career
Law clerks and paralegals may perform legal work on behalf of clients under the supervision of a lawyer in law firms, government departments, legal aid organisations, financial institutions, corporations and court registries.
Graduates may choose to pursue a career as a law clerk or paralegal in the private or public sector and in specialised areas of legal practice such as:
- litigation
- conveyancing
- personal injury compensation
- criminal law
- family law
- probate
- corporate law
- commercial law
Admissions
Current Year 12: Successful completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent; or the Australian Senior VCAL Certificate.
This program does not select on ATAR.
Non-Year 12: Completion of post-secondary studies or at least 6 months' work experience.
Entry requirements
Pathways
Graduates of the RMIT Advanced Diploma of Legal Practice may apply for exemptions from the following degrees, subject to meeting each program's entry requirements:
- Associate Degree in Legal Practice (Paralegal)
- Bachelor of Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Business (Accountancy)
- Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance)
- Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance) (Applied)
- Bachelor of Business (Entrepreneurship)
- Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning)
- Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning)/Bachelor of Business (Accountancy)
- Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management)
- Bachelor of Business (Information Systems)
- Bachelor of Business (Information Systems) (Applied)
- Bachelor of Business (International Business)
- Bachelor of Business (International Business) (Applied)
- Bachelor of Business (Logistics and Supply Chain Management)
- Bachelor of Business (Logistics and Supply Chain Management) (Applied)
- Bachelor of Business (Management)
- Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
- Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (Applied)
- Bachelor of Business (Professional Accountancy)
- Bachelor of Legal and Dispute Studies
Graduates of the RMIT Diploma of Conveyancing can apply for exemptions of up to 8 courses from the Legal Practice program.
Fees
The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place.
To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at ‘How to check if you are eligible’**.
2019 Fees
- 2019 government subsidised place: AU$7,750* per annum
- 2019 full-fee place: AU$9,000* per annum
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.
The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide. Learn more about fees for vocational study.
- 2018 full-fee place: AU$13750* per annum
- Maximum VET Student Loan for program: AU$5000**
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
**The maximum loan amount for a program is indexed annually on 1 January, and the maximum loan amount denoted above is correct at the time of publication.
Eligibility criteria waver
**The Victorian Government is currently waiving two (2) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and already have a qualification, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility.
VET Student Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme (VSL), which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.
How does a VET Student Loan work?
If your VSL application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.
If your program is eligible for the VSL scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference once you exceed the cap.
Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt. You will start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (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 see VET Student 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 2019 is $303.
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.