Course summary
Paralegals are a highly-valued part of the legal sector and there is increasing demand for paralegal professionals who can think outside the box.
This course will get you working in law quickly and lays the foundation for career progression. As you explore the Australian legal system, you will gather skills in legal research and writing, and absorb foundational principles in key areas of the law. You can choose to undertake voluntary legal experience or a para-professional placement to become familiar with the issues facing working paralegals. An optional major in Conveyancing provides the academic pre-requisite for qualification as a conveyancer in NSW.
Paralegals work with solicitors and barristers, in government legal departments, law enforcement agencies, legal aid offices, court administration, public prosecutions and in the community and corporate sectors in finance, banking, insurance and conveyancing.
Graduates may also consider roles as a para-professional within a range of industries. This degree is also a pathway to further studies to become a lawyer.
Paralegals are a highly-valued part of the legal sector and there is increasing demand for paralegal professionals who can think outside the box.
This course will get you working in law quickly and lays the foundation for career progression. As you explore the Australian legal system, you will gather skills in legal research and writing, and absorb foundational principles in key areas of the law. You can choose to undertake voluntary legal experience or a para-professional placement to become familiar with the issues facing working paralegals. An optional major in Conveyancing provides the academic pre-requisite for qualification as a conveyancer in NSW.
Paralegals work with solicitors and barristers, in government legal departments, law enforcement agencies, legal aid offices, court administration, public prosecutions and in the community and corporate sectors in finance, banking, insurance and conveyancing.
Graduates may also consider roles as a para-professional within a range of industries. This degree is also a pathway to further studies to become a lawyer.
This course consists of compulsory law units and elective units. Students can choose to study a major in conveyancing.
Please note: Some elective units, when studied online, require students to attend on-campus workshops.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Apply critical judgement including analysis, reasoning, and appropriate directed research to legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional and social contexts. |
Apply legal reasoning and research to generate appropriate and creative responses to legal problems in paralegal, professional and social contexts. |
Demonstrate an understanding and evaluate issues with reference to principles of social justice and legal ethical frameworks. |
Demonstrate an understanding of a broad and coherent body of knowledge relating to the paralegal, professional and social contexts of the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts. |
Learn and work independently within broad parameters. Reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance. Access, manage and evaluate sources of information relevant to legal research and practice. |
Communicate appropriately and effectively, both orally and in writing. Collaborate effectively and constructively with others. |
Apply an understanding of Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practice. |
You may undertake voluntary legal experience and para-professional placement with legal firms or offices to complement their practical legal skills and become familiar with the issues facing working paralegals.
When taken with the conveyancing major, the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies), fulfils the academic requirements necessary to obtain a conveyancer’s licence in NSW, and is accredited by NSW Fair Trading. For licensing requirements, and details of mandatory additional work experience required to enable registration, enquiries should be made to NSW Fair Trading.
Note that each Australian state or territory has its own legislation regulating conveyancing practice.
Course overview
Course code
2206351
Course abbreviation
AssocDegLaw (Paralegal)
Credit points
192
Equivalent units
16
Duration
2 years full-time; 4 years part-time
Duration
2 years full-time
Availability details
Domestic
| Location | Teaching period | UAC code | QTAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Session 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Lismore | Session 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Online | Session 1 | N/A | N/A |
Fee information
International
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Session 1 | $26,800 ($3,350 per unit) | 016182B |
| Lismore | Session 1 | $26,800 ($3,350 per unit) | 016182B |
Course requirements
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
To be eligible to receive the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies), students must complete 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:
- 8 core units (96 credit points); and
- the Conveyancing Major (96 credit points); or
- 6 Law electives (72 credit points) and 2 Law or University-wide electives (24 credit points).
Schedule of units
Course progressions
Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.
Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first two units in Year 1, Session 1. The remaining two units should be completed in Year 2, Session 1. | |||
| LAW00051 - Legal Research and Writing | Introductory | ||
| LAW10157 - Australian Legal System | Introductory | ||
| LAW00050 - Criminal Process | Introductory | ||
| LAW00128 - Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics | Introductory | ||
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first two units in Year 1, Session 2. The remaining two units should be completed in Year 2, Session 2. | |||
| LAW10159 - Principles of Contract Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00052 - Introduction to Land Law | Introductory | ||
| LAW00053 - Foundations of Torts | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00054 - Family Law Practice | Intermediate | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| 1st Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major | |||
| 2nd Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major | |||
| 3rd Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major | |||
| 4th Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major | |||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| 5th Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major | |||
| 6th Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major | |||
| 7th Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major or University-wide Elective | |||
| 8th Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major or University-wide Elective | |||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| LAW00051 - Legal Research and Writing | Introductory | ||
| LAW10157 - Australian Legal System | Introductory | ||
| LAW00052 - Introduction to Land Law | Introductory | ||
| LAW10159 - Principles of Contract Law | Intermediate | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| LAW00050 - Criminal Process | Introductory | ||
| LAW00128 - Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics | Introductory | ||
| 1st Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives | |||
| 2nd Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives | |||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| LAW00053 - Foundations of Torts | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00054 - Family Law Practice | Intermediate | ||
| 3rd Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives | |||
| 4th Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives | |||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| 5th Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives | |||
| 6th Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives | |||
| 7th Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives OR University-wide elective | |||
| 8th Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives OR University-wide elective | |||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 3 | |||
| LAW00051 - Legal Research and Writing | Introductory | ||
| LAW10157 - Australian Legal System | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 follow the course progression for Session 1 commencement excluding the completed units. | |||
Notes
| Note 1: | Unit requires attendance at a compulsory workshop. |
Unit groups
Conveyancing major
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAW00108 - Legal and Conveyancing Practice | Introductory | ||
| LAW00057 - Conveyancing Law | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
| LAW00062 - Wills and Estates | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00107 - Conveyancers Professional Practice | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00523 - Commercial Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00004 - Company Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00119 - Local Government and Planning Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00126 - Competition and Consumer Law | Intermediate |
Law Electives
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACC00132 - Taxation | Advanced | ||
| ACC00134 - Advanced Taxation | Advanced | ||
| LAW00004 - Company Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00057 - Conveyancing Law | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
| LAW00058 - Litigation Practice | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00059 - Welfare Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00061 - Drugs, Crime and the Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00062 - Wills and Estates | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00104 - Employment and Industrial Relations Law | Advanced | ||
| LAW00106 - EEO and OH&S Law and Practice | Advanced | ||
| LAW00107 - Conveyancers Professional Practice | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00108 - Legal and Conveyancing Practice | Introductory | ||
| LAW00118 - Environmental Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00119 - Local Government and Planning Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00120 - Victimology | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00121 - Intellectual Property | Advanced | ||
| LAW00124 - International Business Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00125 - Information Technology and the Law | Advanced | ||
| LAW00126 - Competition and Consumer Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00214 - Mediation and Dispute Resolution | Introductory | Note 1 | |
| LAW00216 - Mediation Practice and Procedure | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
| LAW00514 - Criminology | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00521 - International Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00522 - Human Rights | Advanced | ||
| LAW00523 - Commercial Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00525 - Cyberlaw | Intermediate | ||
| LAW00526 - International Criminal Justice | Advanced | ||
| LAW00529 - Restorative Justice | Intermediate | ||
| LAW01125 - Stock Exchange and Finance Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW10068 - Law and Government Decision Making | Intermediate | ||
| LAW10069 - Veterans Law I | Intermediate | ||
| LAW10070 - Veterans Law II | Advanced | ||
| LAW10158 - Introduction to Evidence and Advocacy | Intermediate | ||
| LAW10160 - Public Interest Advocacy | Advanced | ||
| LAW10166 - Entertainment Law | Advanced | ||
| LAW10171 - Mediating Across Cultures | Introductory | ||
| LAW10206 - The Holocaust, Genocide and the Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW10288 - Mooting | Advanced | ||
| LAW10292 - Education and the Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW10472 - International Human Rights Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW10487 - Animal Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW10489 - Australian Military and National Security Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW10490 - Trials and Witnesses | Intermediate | ||
| LAW10491 - Sexual Orientation and the Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW10527 - Comparative Law | Advanced | ||
| LAW10727 - Marine Animal Protection Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW20001 - Paralegal Placement | Intermediate | ||
| LAW30004 - Comparative Criminal Law | Advanced | ||
| LAW72006 - Climate Law and Policy | Intermediate | ||
| LAW72008 - Indigenous Jurisprudence | Intermediate | ||
| LAW72011 - Why the State Needs to Kill: law, violence and the production of political authority | Intermediate | ||
| LAW72014 - Struggles, Movements, and the Idea of Communism | Intermediate | ||
| LAW72015 - Law, Film and Ideology | Intermediate | ||
| LAW71006 - The Rhetoric of Law | Introductory | ||
| LAW73004 - Legal Fictions: Writing the Law | Advanced | ||
| LAW72007 - International Business Negotiations | Intermediate | ||
| LAW73051 - Global Legal Pluralism | Advanced | Note 1 | |
| LAW73049 - Information Environmentalism | Advanced | Note 1 | |
| LAW72016 - Crimen Exceptum: The English Witch Prosecution in Context | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
| LAW72013 - Wisdom, Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
| LAW72020 - The Legalities of Artificial Intelligence | Intermediate | Note 1 | |
| LAW72021 - Myths for the Future: Law and Climate Fiction in the 21st Century | Intermediate | ||
| LAWS2027 - Introduction to Chinese Business Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW72018 - Performances and Power in Literature and the Law | Intermediate | ||
| LAW72019 - Justice Framed: Law in Films and in Graphic Novels/Comics | Intermediate | ||
| JUST2006 - Shifting Cultural Paradigms: Law & Literature After Postmodernism | Intermediate | ||
| JUST2012 - The Art of Advocacy: Mooting and Performance Rhetoric | Intermediate |