Graduate Diploma
Practical Legal Training (PLT) is an essential step for law graduates to enter the legal profession. UNSW's PLT program
, opens in a new window is the Graduate Diploma in Legal Professional Practice (GDLPP).Practical Legal Training (PLT) is an essential step for law graduates to enter the legal profession. UNSW's PLT program
The program covers the skills and values required to be a legal practitioner in Australia. You'll graduate from the program confident that you can complete essential tasks required of legal professionals in areas such as:
You'll also complete a total of 40 days of work experience as part of the program, which offers placement opportunities with UNSW partners, including legal centres and clinics.
View the full program structure under the What will I study? tab.
*QS World Rankings by Subject 2024
A Progressive Approach
The UNSW PLT course incorporates best-practice emergent educational technologies and flexible delivery modes to help you balance PLT with work and personal commitments.
Engaged Learning
Study from anywhere in Australia or the world in a supportive learning environment that prioritises student experience. You'll receive mentoring from our practitioners who'll support you as you transition into legal practice.
Exclusive Career Support
Graduate career-ready with UNSW Law & Justice's in-house careers service, dedicated to our students and alumni. The service includes one-on-one counselling sessions, a jobs board and a range of resources, presentations and workshops to maximise your employability.
Workplace Experience
UNSW PLT offers unique opportunities to apply, test and reflect on your skills and knowledge through professional placements. You can experience interacting with different clients in a range of settings, including at UNSW in-house clinics (e.g. Kingsford Legal Centre (KLC)), community legal centres (e.g. Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) and Youth Law Australia) and firms.
Practicum
Students have the option to complete a practicum to strengthen their professional development through a combination of placements, simulated workplaces, technical learning spaces, law-related projects, continuing legal education and structured reflective practice.
Candidates for the GDLPP are required to have completed an accredited academic qualification in law. Accepted qualifications include:
Applicants with academic qualifications from a jurisdiction outside Australia need to have the qualifications assessed by the Legal Profession Admission Board (NSW) before applying to undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT). Please refer to the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) website for more information.
Prospective international students will require a visa other than a student visa (e.g. a temporary graduate visa) to be eligible to apply to this program. We advise international students to seek independent immigration advice about their visa options.
Early Start of PLT
It's possible to start your PLT during your law degree if you've completed all prescribed ('Priestley 11') core courses and have no more than 12 Units of Credit (UOC)/2 electives left to complete in your LLB/JD or equivalent qualification.
For UNSW students, approval of early commencement in the GDLPP and verification of remaining electives requires:
For non-UNSW students, please follow the process identified by your institution for steps 1 and 2 and then complete steps 3 and 4 above.
Recognition of Prior Learning/Advanced Standing
Advanced standing for previous learning may be granted for up to 12 Units of Credit (UOC) for practical legal training courses completed at a recognised equivalent higher education provider.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Candidates for the GDLPP are required to have completed an accredited academic qualification in law. Accepted qualifications include:
Applicants with academic qualifications from a jurisdiction outside Australia need to have the qualifications assessed by the Legal Profession Admission Board (NSW) before applying to undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT). Please refer to the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) website for more information.
Prospective international students will require a visa other than a student visa (e.g. a temporary graduate visa) to be eligible to apply to this program. We advise international students to seek independent immigration advice about their visa options.
Early Start of PLT
It's possible to start your PLT during your law degree if you've completed all prescribed ('Priestley 11') core courses and have no more than 12 Units of Credit (UOC)/2 electives left to complete in your LLB/JD or equivalent qualification.
For UNSW students, approval of early commencement in the GDLPP and verification of remaining electives requires:
For non-UNSW students, please follow the process identified by your institution for steps 1 and 2 and then complete steps 3 and 4 above.
Recognition of Prior Learning/Advanced Standing
Advanced standing for previous learning may be granted for up to 12 Units of Credit (UOC) for practical legal training courses completed at a recognised equivalent higher education provider.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Practical legal training (PLT) is an essential step in your legal career and a requirement for admission as a lawyer in Australia. Studying the UNSW GDLPP program, you'll develop the skills needed for a legal practitioner's day-to-day tasks through a combination of coursework and practical experience.
The UNSW GDLPP provides the qualification graduates require to apply to be admitted as a lawyer in New South Wales and satisfies the Legal Profession Admission Board's requirements. Once you have been admitted as a lawyer in NSW, you can apply to be admitted in any other Australian state or territory.
This graduate diploma is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board.