Graduate Diploma
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) is a postgraduate program offered by the Faculty of Law, and is the link between a student's law degree and becoming a practising lawyer. The GDLP provides students with a structured coursework learning environment as well as supervised legal training. The program is based on the competency standards for entry level lawyers developed by the admitting authorities and the Australian Professional Legal Education Council (APLEC). Successful completion of the program will enable students to apply for admission to legal practice in Australia and in some overseas jurisdictions. Students should contact the relevant admitting authority to ascertain the requirements for admission in specific States or Territories.
Upon completion you will be eligible for admission to practise law in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Once you have been admitted as an Australian Legal Practitioner, you are entitled to practise in all state jurisdictions, as well as the Federal jurisdiction.
Students should contact the relevant admitting authority to ascertain the requirements for admission in specific States or Territories. The accrediting body in Queensland is the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board (LPAB). Further information on becoming a legal practitioner in Queensland is available from the Queensland Law Society.
International students who have completed an Australian law degree are eligible to enrol in the GDLP. However, those wishing to practise law overseas should check the qualification and admission requirements for the particular jurisdiction in which they intend to practise.
Structure of the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP)
The GDLP can be completed online or on-campus. Trainees must complete a compulsory five (5) day learning intensive at the start of the program. For January 2021, the Learning Intensive will be held online.
The GDLP has two components, that students will need to complete; the Compulsory Component and the Elective Component. A sample study plan can be viewed by clicking here.
1. Compulsory ComponentAs part of the Compulsory Component, you will need to complete:
The compulsory subjects will include:
In the Elective Component, you can choose to complete EITHER:
Students can select from the following Electives:
All elective coursework subjects are delivered online.
Program Dates for 2021Please note that the online Learning Intensive will run for five (5) days.
Students must submit a Concurrent Enrolment Application Form for consideration at least three (3) weeks prior to the Program commencement.
Please note that in addition, students must also submit an official application for the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice via the Bond website.
Please contact the Office of Future Students for any enrolment enquiries on 1800-074-074 or email
To speak to the GDLP Coordinator, please call +61 7 5595 2284 or email
Please note that the rules and conditions of concurrent enrolment are subject to change. Concurrent enrolment is not a ground for special consideration for students in relation to absence from class, extensions, assignments, assessments, exams, appeals, late withdrawals, etc. for their Law subjects or GDLP. Students are required to attend all GDLP compulsory sessions.
Students are reminded that admission to legal practice is your responsibility. If you have any concerns about how your concurrent enrolment may affect your eligibility to apply for admission to legal practice, you should contact the LPAB or its equivalent in the State/Territory in which you intend to be admitted.
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