Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice

Entry Requirements

Bachelor degree or equivalent.

English Language Requirements

IELTS: Overall 7.0 (Reading 6.5, Listening 6.5, Speaking 7, Writing 7); TOEFL: Internet-based: Total score of 94 with a minimum of 27 in Writing, 23 in Speaking and 20 in Reading and Listening; TOEFL Paper-based: total score of 600 with a minimum of 5.0 in the Test of Written English (TWE); Pearsons: Overall 65 (Reading 58, Listening 58, Speaking 65, Writing 65); Cambridge: Overall 185 (Reading 176, Listening 176, Speaking 185, Writing 185).

Course Details

The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) is a compulsory requirement to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor in South Australia. It provides practical legal training for law graduates.

To apply, you must have successfully completed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), or met the criteria specified by admitting authorities in your state or territory. If you studied your LLB overseas you’ll need to have your qualifications accredited by the South Australian Board of Examiners before you can commence the GDLP. You can contact the Law Society of South Australia to discuss these requirements.

What will you do?

The GDLP program is designed to be flexible around other requirements. You’ll choose between weekday, after-hours and weekend classes. There is also an accelerated pathway, which can be completed in 20 weeks. You will:

complete five core courses
select two electives aligned to your interests and career goals
undertake five hours minimum of continuing professional development
build real-world skills through 30 days (225 hours) of legal practice placement.

After gaining admission, you can apply for a Practising Certificate in other Australian states and territories via mutual recognition.

Career Readiness

Graduates will be fully qualified to practise law in Australia, and pursue rewarding careers as a barrister, solicitor or lawyer.

Potential careers

Barrister, Solicitor, Lawyer / Solicitor / Barrister

Degree Structure

Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) students are required to complete the following:

Five core courses
Two elective courses
Five hours minimum of continuing professional development
30 days (225 hours) of legal practice placement.

The program is a 24 unit program with 'Foundations of GDLP' the prerequisite course for all other courses. Traditionally the GDLP has been designed to be undertaken over a 6-12 month period. There is also an option for students to undertake the GDLP (unit delivery only) in one semester via fast-tracking.

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